' Secrion IV., 1907. [93 ] Trans. RS. C 
VI.—Notes on Fossil Woods from Texas. 
By Dr. D. P. PENHALLOW, 
McDonald Professor of Botany, McGill University. 
(Read May 17, 1907.) 
In the autumn of 1905, I received from Dr. H. von Schrenk of 
the United States Department of Agriculture, a number of specimens 
of -fossil woods which he later informed me were representative 
of a very abundant material to be found in the region from which they 
were obtained. His note accompanying the specimens stated that 
“This wood occurred in a stiff, red clay at Somerville, Texas, about 
sixty miles north of Houston on the Santa Fé railway. The country 
is perfectly level thereabouts, and at points where these specimens were 
found, a deep excavation was made for a manufacturing plant. The 
specimens came from a point about four to ten feet below the level 
of the surface and occurred in large numbers promiscuously scattered 
through the clay.” Upon assorting this material it was possible to 
select about twelve specimens which gave promise of yielding recog- 
nizable structure, the remainder showing such extended alteration 
through advanced decay and the infiltration of mineral matter, as to 
make the cutting of sections a useless expenditure of time. Almost 
without exception, the specimens had been silicified, and in several 
the silicification had been carried far enough to convert the entire 
mass into flint. It was found to be a particularly troublesome matter 
to properly cut and grind this material. 
The specimens were in no case large, while several were small. 
They all gave evidence of water transportation at a time preceding 
silicification, which I assume to have taken place subsequently to 
deposition in the locality where found. The evidence of such trans- 
portation appeared in the very advanced condition of decay presented 
by many of the specimens, and more particularly in the rounded and 
water-worn surfaces and ends, an abrasion which was accomplished 
prior to silicification. It is therefore evident that the woods were 
brought from some other locality through the medium of rivers flowing 
southward, or that if of local origin, they had been for some time 
floating in a lake or lagoon and subjected to the action of water and 
wind. 
One of the most prominent features of these specimens appeared 
in their very striking resemblance to specimens from the Permian of 
Sec. IV., 1907. 6. 
