100 FOSSIL FLORA OF THE JOHN DAY BASIN, OREGON, [bull. 204. 



Lesquereux, and beyond this remains the further question of the cor- 

 i-(»t'tnoss of their reference to Ailanthus. 



The AnacardiacejB were but poorly represented, there being only 

 one species and a doubtful form referred to Rhus. 



The Celastraceffi are represented by two species of Celastrus, both 

 from the jVIascall beds. 



Next to the Betulacese and Fagacese the Aceraceae appear to have 

 been the most important family in this flora. It is represented by two 

 genera, Acer, with eleven nominal forms, and liulac (Negundo), with 

 one. 



The maples appear to have been absent at the time the lowest of the 

 plant-bearing beds of the region were deposited; at least no remains of 

 them have been discovered. In the Clarno formation maples are rare, 

 a single species (^4. Osmonti) having been found at Bridge Creek and 

 doubtful forms at the same place and near Clarnos Ferry. Acer 

 Osmonti is a fine species, very modern in appearance, suggesting at 

 once the living A. saccliaTum. and small leaves of A. rnacrojphyUwi)^ the 

 common maple of the coast. 



Maples were undoubtedly abundant at the time the Mascall beds 

 were laid down, for numerous leaves, fruits, and branches are pres- 

 ent. The most abundant of the species founded on the leaves is Les- 

 qureuex's A. Bendirel., which was for a time supposed to be the same 

 as the European A. trUohatum productum (Al. Br.) Heer. They are 

 large, deeply lolled and toothed leaves. ^4. diniorjyhum Lesq. is differ- 

 ent entirely from the last, and its status is possibly still open to more 

 or less question. What I have called A. Mcrriami is wholly unlike 

 A. Bendh'ei, but may be a very broad, coarsely toothed form of A. 

 dliiiorjphwm. It is, however, without the basal lobes so conspicuous 

 in dimcm'jjJiuii) . 



Associated throughout the beds with the leaves are numerous speci- 

 mens of maple fruits. It is not possible to characterize these fruits 

 with entire satisfaction, but largely on the basis of size, as well as 

 other minute characters, I have ventured to give names to these 

 species: A. oregoniammi^ A. 7nedianum, and A. in.inor. It is possible 

 that only two species of fruits are represented, but the differences in 

 size would seem to be greater than are found in an}^ one living species. 

 In the same beds was found a single specimen of a maple fruit which 

 1 have named Acer gigas. It is a long, narrow fruit, 9.5 cm. in 

 length, and, so far as I know, is the largest fruit of the kind thus far 

 described. 



Under the name of Rulac cratmg'ifolhini I have described a com- 

 pound leaf that is certainl}^ very suggestive of the living box elder. 

 It is unfoi'tunately not quite perfect, and its form and other charac- 

 ters are made out with difficulty. 



The Hippocastanaceffi are represented by a single but undoul)ted 

 species of iEsculus, which, from its close approach to certain living 



