88 THE FLORA OF THE AMBOY CLAYS. 
SASSAFRAS PROGENITOR Newb. n. sp. 
Pl. XXVII, figs. 1-3. 
Leaves trilobed, 8° to 20 long, lobes pointed or obtuse, central lobe 
somewhat spatulate, base somewhat wedge-shaped; nervation and outline 
that of normal leaves of S. sassafras (L.) Karst. 
Among the trilobed leaves: which form so striking a feature in the 
Cretaceous flora there are several that have so strong a resemblance to our 
living Sassafras that they have been provisionally referred to that genus. 
S. cretaceum Newb. of the Dakota group has been generally accepted as a 
Sassafras, while some authors, noting the tendency of these sassafras-like 
leaves to run into those more like the living palmate-leaved Aralias, have 
suggested that all should be placed in a provisional genus, Araliopsis. It is 
doubtless wise to avoid hasty generalization or positive assertion in regard 
to the botanical relations of plants which have left us only their foliary 
appendages, in better or worse state of preservation. There can be little 
doubt, however, that in the present case the assumption that we have here 
the remains of a species of Sassafras very closely allied to the living one is 
well founded. A glance at the outlines and nervation of the three figures 
which have been cited will show so close a resemblance to the living Sas- 
safras as to make a generic separation of these two plants unwarranted. 
When it is remembered that our common Sassafras stands alone in our 
flora, it is evident that its history reaches far back into the past, and, as in 
the case of the tulip tree and sweet gum, we must look for its kindred 
in the remains of the forests of the Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous periods. 
Doubtless we shall sooner or later find the fruit connected with the leaves, 
and thus have all our doubts put at rest. 
Locality: Woodbridge. 
SASSAFRAS HASTATUM Newb. n. sp. 
Pl. XXVII, figs. 4-6; Pl. XXVIU, figs. 1, 2; Pl. XL, fig. 4. 
Leaves trilobed, lobes conical, entire, middle one largest, lateral lobes 
nearly horizontal, giving a hastate outline to the leaf. 
Very considerable diversity is seen in the forms of the leaves which I 
have united in this species, and perhaps they should be separated into two 
