316 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 40. 



areas. There are considerable differences of opinion at the present 

 time among morphologists as to the relative antiquity of the various 

 members of the order Coniferales, the older view that the Abietinea? 

 were a highly specialized and relatively modern type being ques- 

 tioned by Jeffrey and others. It would seem, however, that the old 

 view not only has the fossil record exclusively in its favor but many 

 morphological arguments to substantiate it. 



A very large number, perhaps as many as 200, of fossil species have 

 been described, ranging in age from the Jurassic upward. The Juras- 

 sic has furnished pine-like leaves as well as the remains of cones which 

 have formed the foundation of several species. While these records 

 are for the most part not entirely unequivocal, Fliche and Zeiller l in a 

 recent communication are positive of the identity of the cone which 

 they describe from the French Portlandian. From horizons homo- 

 t axial with the Potomac group, a number of forms have been recorded. 

 These include six species described by Heer from leaves in the Kome 

 beds, three species from the Kootanie, one from the Lakota of the Black 

 Hills, and one from the Trinity of Texas. Strata of Lower Cretace- 

 ous age in Europe are remarkable for the number, variety, and excel- 

 lent preservation of cones of Pinus, about a dozen species being known 

 from England, Belgium, and France. The Upper Cretaceous records 

 are frequent and conclusive, including the evidence of wood with 

 structure preserved, and the genus becomes thoroughly cosmopolitan 

 during the Tertiary period. The definite remains of Pinus in the 

 Potomac group are those of both cones and seeds constituting the fol- 

 lowing single species, the cones of which sometimes crowd the strata 

 of the Patapsco formation. 



PINUS VERNONENSIS Ward emend. 



Pinus vernonensis Ward, in Fontaine, in Ward., Monogr. U. S. Geol. Snrv., vol. 



48, 190G, p. 497, pi. 109, figs. 4-6. 

 Pinus schista Ward, Monogr. U. S. Geol. Surv., vol. 48, 1905, p. 531, pi. 112, 



figs. 13-15. 

 Araucarites virginicus Fontaine, in Ward., Monogr. TJ. S. Geol. Surv., vol. 48, 



190G, p. 572, pi. 119, fig. 8 (not Fontaine, 1890). 

 Seed of Pinus?, species Fontaine, Monogr. TJ. S. Geol. Surv., vol. 15, 1890, p. 



272, pi. 170, fig. 4. 



Description.— Cones elongate, conical, somewhat variable in size, 

 averaging about 7 cm. in length by 1.8 cm. in diameter. Axis stout, 

 2 mm. to 3 mm. in diameter. Cone scales triangular, relatively thin, 

 thickened apically to form a rhomboidal boss with an elevated trans- 

 verse ridge. A central umbilicus may represent the area .of attach- 

 ment of a short spine which has been worn away before fossilization. 

 Length about 1.5 cm., greatest width about 0.8 to 1 cm., thickness 

 1 to 2 mm. 



i Fliche and Zeiller, Bull. Soc. geol. France (4), vol. 4, 1904, p. S04. 



