106 



Harper: Observations on Taxodium 



name of the Lafayette formation in Georgia and some other states 

 is probably divisible into two or three different horizons. One of 

 these may be the Grand Gulf, which has recently been a sub- 

 ject of considerable controversy.* Until geologists have settled 

 this point among themseWes I can make no satisfactory correc- 

 tions in this respect. However, when the whole truth is known 

 these two species of Taxodium will surely be found to stand 

 always in some such relation to the superficial formations as I 

 have already indicated, whether my present identification of these 



formations is correct or not. 



It is absolutely certain though that Taxodium distichum grows 



Fir.URK I. Taxodium distii/iiun gruwing on Lower Oligocene rocks on right bank 

 of Flint River, Sumter County. July 5, 1902. 



directly on the underlying rocks of the coastal plain, as I had 

 excellent opportunity to observe on the Flint River east of Amer- 

 icus in July, 1902, when the water was unusually low for that 

 time of year {s&o. figure /). And similar conditions have doubt- 

 less existed for thousands of years, for according to Bibbins f fos- 



■ ^ ^^ 1 ^- ■ B-^^ ^_^M^^^M__|_^^^^ —^ 1 JJIJ ^ ^^^^^^^^^^™" ^ 



* For a discussion of the nomenclature, relationships and distribution of this for- 

 mation the reader is referred to the following papers in Science (new series), all en- 

 titled «*The Grand Gulf Formation" : — Smith & Aldrich, i6 : 835-837. November 

 21, 1902; Dall, 16:946,947. December 12, 1902; Smith & Aldrich, 18:20^26. 

 July 3, 1903 ; Dall, 18 : 83-85. July 17, 1903 ; Hilgard, i8 : 1S0-182. August 7, 

 1903. — See also Dall, Trans. Wagner Free Inst. Sci, 3 : 1561-1564. 1903. 



t Plant World i : 164-166. August, 1898. 



