A new genus of fossil Liliaceae 
T. D. A. CocKERELL 
(WITH ONE TEXT FIGURE) 
In 1873* Lesquereux reported a singular fossil from the 
Miocene shales of Florissant, Colorado, as Ophioglossum Allent. 
In 1878 he figured itt and assigned it to the genus Salvinia, 
on account of its-close resemblance to Heer’s European fossil 
S. reticulata. Hollick{ gave a new figure, and placed the plant 
in the genus Ymesipteris, where it remains in Knowlton’s 
Catalogue. 
This so-called Tmesipteris Alleni is common in the Florissant 
shales but has remained an unsolved problem. A number of 
years ago, at the British Museum, I showed specimens to Dr. 
A..C. Seward and Dr. A. G. Nathorst. We could all agree that 
there was no relationship with Tmesipteris, but it was im- 
possible to even guess at the true position of the species. Seward,§ 
when publishing on the subject later, reject- 
ed the reference to Tmesipteris, without 
being able to suggest another alternative. 
In 1913,{] to avoid perpetuating an obvious 
error, I referred the plant to Carpolithes, 
supposing it to represent some sort o 
fruiting body. No seeds could ever be 
seen, although the appearance suggested 
a flattened pod; but the published figures 
failed to show a thickening on the midrib, : 
; i ALLEN! Cockerell 
a little beyond the middle. In a very good Ais: Chuledesthbien 
specimen found at Florissant in November, pistillate flower. 
1921, there is a definite body at this point, flower, enlarged. C. 
with a diameter of nearly3mm. It looks Fruit on a mature clad- 
like a small berry, with the contents ex- 4 arginate 
truded (Fic. r, C). a a cladode. 
Probably the riddle would never have been solved but for 
the discovery of a younger specimen in the Florissant shales, 
Fic. 1. BRACHYRUSCUS 
* For bibliographical references see Knowlton, Mesozoic and ee 
plants of North America. U. = eo Survey Bull. 696: 6 1909 
+ Tertiary Flora, pi. a 7 Be 
t Bull. Torrey Club. sara ide oe 12. 1894. 
§ Fossil ee a: 25: ge 
Ser Vi: 86: 500. 
