486 Systematic Paleontology 



well as to the asymmetrical terminal leaflets of some compound leaves^ 

 but we are probably justified in considering it a true Sassafras — ^tlie 

 first that can be identified as such with any degree of certainty. As 

 pointed out by Fontaine in the fragment of this leaf figured (by him), 

 the opposite primary is considerably stouter than its fellow which runs 

 to the lobe which is preserved, lending color to the supposition that this 

 species was also trilobed. 



This species is rare and with the exception of the material from near 

 Brooke, Virginia, it has not been recorded except for a single extremely 

 doubtful fragment reported from the synchronous beds along the 

 Potomac Eiver. 



Occurrence. — Patapsco Formation, ISTear Brooke and Hell Hole ( ?), 

 Virginia. 



Collection. — IJ. S. National Mu.seum. 



Sassafras parvieolium Fontaine 

 Plate XCIII, Fig. 2; Plate XCIV, Fig. 2 



Sassafras parvifoUuvi Fontaine, 1890, Mon. U. S. Geol. Surv., vol. xv, 1889, 



p. 289, pi. cxxxix, fig. 7. 

 Sassafras cretaceum var. Tieterolohum Fontaine, 1890, Mon. U. S. Geol. Surv., 



vol. XV, 1889, p. 289, pi. clii, fig. 5; pi. clix, fig. 8; pi. clxiv, fig. 5. 

 Sassafras parvifoUuvi Berry, 1902, Bot. Gaz., vol. xxxiv, p. 434. 

 Sassafras cretaceum var. heterolohum Berry, 1902, Bot. Gaz., vol. xxxiv, 



p. 435. 



Description. — Leaves somewhat variable in shape, comparatively small 

 in size, elliptical in general outline, trilobate; the lobes rather short 

 and obtusely pointed or broadly rounded, separated by usually shallow 

 more or less rounded sinuses which do not extend more than half the 

 distance to the base. Length 3 cm. to 9 cm. Width across the lobes 3.25 

 cm. to 8 cm. Base euneate, decurrent. Midrib stout. Lateral primaries 

 subopposite, supra-basilar. Secondaries more or less remote, ascending, 

 eamptodrome. 



This is a rather rare but well-marked species ver}' suggestive of, and 

 possibly ancestral to, the Upper Cretaceous Sassafras cretaceum ISTew- 

 berry, as a variety of which Fontaine described one of the Virginia 



