1887.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 37 



tiug numerous erect cylindrical smooth stems, surrounded at base by 

 rows of scars of leaves or close articulations, being marked, like the 

 rhizomas, by deep, round points, scars of rootlets. 



The rhizomas, varying in diameter from 1 to 2^ centimeters, are ir- 

 regular, cylindrical or flattened, strangled and contorted in divers ways, 

 much branching, or sending upwards at irregular distance cylindrical 

 stems 6 to 10 millimeters diameter, surrounded at their base by concen- 

 trical layers, like the remaining base of rows of leaves. The stems are 

 quite smooth, though obscurely striate lengthwise, resembling those of 

 some large species of Juncus, like J. militaris or those of the leaves and 

 flowers of Nelumbium luteum. 



The species is distantly related to Caulinites Parisiensis, Brgt., as 

 figured in Schimper's Atlas Pal. Veget., PI. LXXXI, fig. 1 and 2, at 

 least for the articulation left by the base of the leaves. But the rhizo- 

 mas are, at least sometimes, twice as large ; the stems are short, with 

 only four or five rows of very narrow, J to 1 millimeter broad, basilar 

 scars of leaves, and the rhizomas creeping, with all the stems turned up 

 or toward the same side. 



Though there are among the specimens large blocks of hardened clay 

 filled with rhizomas and stems of the species, I have not been able to 

 see in them any traces of leaves. But decorticated fragments show, on 

 the under side of the bark, two kinds of radicles, some most abundant, 

 often in regular rows, being tubulose inflated, at least ^ millimeter in 

 diameter, others intermixed, very thin filiform. 



These remains are in a kind of tufaceous clay from the shores of Clear 

 Lake, California. The species is named for the collector, Mr. G. F. 

 Becker. Museum number, 2320; lot number, 10. Fifty specimens. 



TYPHACEiE. 

 139. Sagittaria, n. sp. ? 



Sitka, Alaska; E. W.Nelson, collector; one specimen; Museum num- 

 ber, 2310 ; lot number, 210. 



Through the basalt and within a few yards of the silicified roots, active, solfatanc, 

 thermal springs still exist. All along the edge of the lake tales grow in great abund- 

 ance. I compared the fossils with the roots of the living tules and could see no dif- 

 ference whatever. I am no botanist, however. As a geologist I do not hesitate to 

 affirm that the roots are recent, and I do not believe that they are one thousand 

 years old. I have instructed Mr. H. W. Turner to forward to you roots of the living 

 tules by mail or express. If we have no specimens in San Francisco, T. will procure 

 them from the lake. 



Very respectfully, 



G. F. BECKER, 

 Geologist in charge. 

 Professor Lesquereux says of this additional information [in litt. April 1, 1887]: 

 "The subject is interesting, as the study of the plant in the different states of preser- 

 vation or fossilization of its organs could show the work of nature and the modifica- 

 tions of forms by fossilization and prove also the long continuance of a type formerly 

 recognized in geological time." It has been thought best to let the name stand 

 the present as it is. — Editor. 



