48 oJ. W. Dawson—Fossil Woods from British Columbia. 
Two others, with well developed resin cells, “— one row of 
pores on the fibers, are found at Vancouver Island a 
I do not think it necessary to attach specific names -. these 
trees, at least until I can compare them with more complete series 
rom the west coast. It is sufficient to know that 
they indicate several species of Cypress-like trees not very dis- 
similar from those at present existing in the region. 
xoxylon.—This genus is characterized by consecutive lines 
of growth, by wood-cells with spiral fibers, in addition to the 
bordered pores, and by simple medullary rays. 
There appear to be in the collection three species of this genus, 
two from Vancouver Island and one from the Queen Charlotte 
Islands. They have the eS of modern taxine woods 
modified a little petal by the ates maceration in water which 
they have sustamed any of the modern taxine trees are 
remarkable for the ecceon of cheir bes arising apparently 
from a less firm lateral adhesion than usual of the woo y fibers 
to each other, and, also, perhaps, from the pecularities of their 
ligneous lining. This laxity of the tissue becomes exaggerated 
in the water-soaked fossil specimens, so that in cross section the 
wood-cells appear as if round within, and separated by inter- 
cellular spaces, the appearances recalling those in the Devonian 
Prototaxites, which, Ee presents them in a still more ex- 
aggerated form. The stu y of these more modern taxine trees 
has served to confirm my belief in the interpretation I have 
given of the Devonian prototype of Taminee. 
ANGIOSPERMOUs ExoGgeNns.—W od of this class is not 
so abundant in the collection as coniferous wood ; but it is of 
much interest as exhibiting the existence in the Cretaceous 
period of the same modifications of wood which exist at present, 
and as corresponding with the leaves of exogenous trees found 
in - coal formation of Nanaimo. 
ercus.—T wo species of oak occur in the collection. One 
is at the Upper Cretaceous shale of Hornby Island. The 
other is from the Cretaceous coal-field of Vancouver Island, at 
Trent River below the Falls, or according to Mr. Richardson's s 
sections, about 3,000 feet lower than the Hornby Island beds. 
cus, No. 1, Hornby Island.—This has very large medul- 
lary rays wot many series of cells, the ducts small, eatery 
scattered and ee Of the species with which I have means 
of comparison, ost nearly resembles Q. lex of the south of 
rep but 5 fname medullary ra s. The specimen is a 
nent of a decorticated stem about six inches in diameter, 
and to the naked eye has much the appearance of a blackened — 
fragment ses en wood of Q. suber. 
o. 2, Vancouver Island.—The medullary rays are 
narrower eye in the — and moredense. The ducts aremore | 
7 
