158 ALASKA GEOLOGY 



may be seen in the figures, they stand erect on short, thick branches, 

 quite unlike the conditions obtaining in either of these genera. It may be 

 that they are the branches of a conifer beset with numerous thick 

 leaves, but neither do they meet all the requirements necessary for such 

 a reference. I can only figure them and place them under this anoma- 

 lous generic aggregation until additional light or further collections may 

 be obtained. It is quite possible that they may not all belong to the 

 same form. 



The species is named in honor of Mr. De Alton Saunders, by whom 

 the collection of fossil plants was made. 



DISCUSSION OF THE FLORA 



The study of any fossil flora naturally possesses interest 

 along two lines, the biological and the geological. Care- 

 ful biological study is necessary in order that the forms 

 under investigation may be relegated as nearly as possible 

 to their proper position in the vegetable kingdom, and 

 moreover, it may throw important light on the phylogeny 

 of existing types. The geological study throws light on 

 the age of the beds in which the flora is contained, and 

 serves also to furnish a set of stratigraphic marks for the 

 identification of similar horizons in other areas. 



BIOLOGICAL ASPECT 



For purposes of comparison and ready reference the 

 following complete list of forms, disposed under families, 

 is presented: 



I. EQUISETACE^E. 



i . Equisetum globulosum Lesq. 



II. PlNACE^E. 



2. Picea harrimani sp. nov. 



3. Picea, branches. 



4. Picea .?, seed. 



5. Pinus . ? , leaves. 



6. Pinus . ? , scales of cone, 

 y. Sequoia heerii Lesq. 



8. Sequoia, cone. 



