570 MESOZOIC FLORAS OF UNITED STATES. 



FOSSIL PLASTS FROM IMOX TUNNEL. 



PiNiTES Leei Fontaine n. sp. 

 PI. CXIX, Figs. 6, 7. 



A single specimen of an interesting cone was found in excavating 

 the Union tunnel in Baltimore. It was found by the late Mr. John 

 W. Lee, embedded in the clay through which the tunnel was being con- 

 structed. It was so well preserved that it was picked out practically 

 entire from the embedding material, showing in a striking manner the 

 preservative action of an air-tight and water-tight clay. This clay is 

 given on the label as Arundel in age. The cone shows all the scales 

 present and closed around the axis. It is somewhat distorted by pressure, 

 owing to the creep of the inclosing clay or shale. The distortion has pro- 

 duced on one side of the cone a thinning of the cone scales at their tips. 

 The latter (the tips), owing to the creep of the shale toward the top of 

 the cone, are not much thicker than other portions of the scales. This 

 was probably an effect produced on the underside of the cone. On 

 the opposite side the cone is less compressed, and the creep or move- 

 ment of the shale seems to have been in the opposite direction — that 

 is, toward the base of the cone. The scales on this side expand at their 

 tips into a triangular umbo that is elongated at right angles to the axis 

 of the cone and is strongly striated. The precise shape of the umbo 

 depends on the amount of compression and distortion of the scales. If 

 the cone were seen onh' on the under side, it would agree pretty well 

 with a cone of Abies, while on the upper side the cone scales would pass 

 for those of Sequoia. The cylindrical form of the cone and the close 

 appression of its thin scales make it probable that the plant is nearest 

 to the Picea section of Pinus. It is 4 cm. long and 2 cm. wide. It is 

 probably an unripe cone. Its specific name is from the name of its 

 finder, Mr. Lee. PI. CXIX, Fig. 6, gives the underside and Fig. 7 the 

 upper side. 



The specimen was lent by Mr. Lee to the Woman's College, and 

 the label accompanying it bears the initials W. C, B., but no number." 



a But for the positive statement of Mr. Bibbins that the Union tunnel was cut through beds of Potomac 

 clay and that this cone was actuality found in such clay, so as to leave no doubt as to its age, I should hold 

 decidedh' to the opinion that the cone represents a comparativel_T modern type, such as some of the now hving 

 species of Picea or firs. Even as it is, I can not wholh' divest my mind of the idea that it may have occurred 



