36 



This species was described from the Patoot beds of Greenland 

 where it is sparsely represented. It is abundant, however, in the 

 Upper Raritan of New Jersey, but of some scores of specimens 

 examined by the writer all were detached and failed to show 

 their habit of growth. 



The botanical relationship of Dezvalquea has always remained 

 obscure and no better discussion of it is extant than that given 

 by Saporta and Marion,* who after comparing these leaves with 

 those oi Auipelopsis, Aidsaema, AntJmrinvi (Araceae), etc., arrive 

 at the conclusion that they are prototypes of the tribe Hellebo- 

 reae of the Ranunculaceae. 



The new species, a description of which follows, may be called : 



Dewalquea Smithi sp. no v. 



Leaves palmately decompound, the petiole dividing into three 

 principal branches, the angle of divergence varying from 20° to 

 60^^ and the two lateral branches forking at an acute angle i to 2 

 cm. above their base. The middle leaflet is lanceolate in out- 

 line, being widest in its central part and tapering almost equally 

 to the acute apex and base. Length 7.5 cm. to 16 cm. Greatest 

 width 2 cm. to 4 cm. Margin entire or serrate, usually entire 

 below and serrate in the apical three fourths, sometimes with large 

 aquiline-serrate teeth. Midrib stout. Secondaries regular, sub- 

 opposite, parallel ; about 20 pairs, branching from the midrib at 

 angles varying from 45° to 70° usually about 50°, curving up- 

 ward and running to the marginal teeth in some specimens as 

 in the restoration. In other specimens and in entire margined 

 forms they are camptodrome. The base of the leaflet extends 

 downward to within 2 or 3 mm. of the forks of the petiole. 

 Lateral leaflets more or less inequilateral, usually somewhat 

 smaller than the middle leaflet. The internal leaflet is lan- 

 ceolate, the outer lamina starting at or very near the point where 

 the lateral branch of the petiole forks. The inner lamina, however, 

 extends downward almost to the base of the lateral branch mak- 

 ing the base markedly inequilateral. In general outline, marginal, 

 and venation characters it is identical with the middle leaflet. 

 The outer lateral leaflet is also somewhat inequilateral but less so 

 than the internal lateral leaflet, its internal lamina starting at or 

 near the fork and its outer lamina extending more or less below 

 the fork. Marginal and venation characters as in the other 

 leaflets. 



* Loc. cit., pp. 55-61. 



