Maryland Geological Survey 453 



and wide distribution, representatives being present on all the continents. 

 They seem equally at home in the tropics and in the less cold parts of the 

 temperate zone and with favorable edaphic conditions seem to be but little 

 influenced by those op temperature 



Alismaphyllum Victor-Masoni (Ward) 

 Plate LXXIX, Fig. 5 



Sagittaria Yictor-Masoni Ward, 1895, Fifteenth Ann. Rept. U. S. Geol. Sur- 

 vey, p. 354, pi. iii, fig. 5. 



Sagittaria Victor-Masoni Fontaine, 1906, in Ward, Mon. U. S. Geol. Survey, 

 vol. xlviii, 1905, p. 491. 



Description. — Leaf ovate in outline tapering upward and presumably 

 acutely pointed, aurieulate below. Auricles relatively short, wide and 

 rounded, margin entire. Petiole and midrib stout. Secondaries four 

 to six in number, from the top of the petiole, one or two on each side 

 reflexed and supplying the auricles, the two inner on each side curving 

 upward, the outer following the margin for a considerable distance, how 

 far it is not possible to ascertain since both of the lateral margins are 

 inroUed in the single known specimen of this species. The finer vena- 

 tion is unfortunately not preserved. 



This species is clearly referable to the family Alismacese and while 

 it shows a number of characters which ally it with the modern genus 

 Sagittaria it is equally close to other modern and closely related genera 

 as has just been pointed out, so that its reference to a genus which while 

 denoting its general botanical affinity does not carry implications of 

 identity with any of the existing genera of this family is clearly 

 demanded. 



The species is obviously distinct from any previously described fossil 

 forms but is unfortunately based on the single specimen figured so that 

 a more complete diagnosis is impossible. 



Occurrence. — Patapsco Formation. White House Bluff, Virginia. 



Collection. — U. S. National Museum. 



