34 



In 1871 and again in 1875, Sir William Dawson describes a fruit two inches in length, 

 which was obtained from Quesnel. This he regarded as comparable with and possibly the 

 same as A. macropterum of Heer, from Greenland. 



Fruit from the Tulameeii Kive 



X 1.(1. 



It is evident that the genus was not only widely distributed in the Tertiary of British 

 Columbia, but that the number of species was not less than three or four, 2>ossibly more. 

 The wide distribution of such fruits and their probable representation of several species have 

 been noted by previous observers, notably by Heer, who figures a large number of forms to 

 which he assigns specific names. The expediency of this seems very doubtful in view of the 

 fact that there are no characters of sufficient importance and stability upon which to base 

 specific distinctions, and it would seem lar better to avoid the application of names that 

 can serve no good purpose. 



Many leaves of maples also occur in the Tertiary beds of British Columbia. Some of 

 these are represented in the present collections while others have been recorded on previous 

 occasions by Sir William Dawson. They are sometimes found in separate beds, but more 

 commonly in association with fruits. Precisely similar associations have been noted by Heer 

 for the Tertiary beds of Greenland and elsewhere, but so far as I am aware, it is as yet impos- 

 sible to correlate such remains for the reason that they have not yet been found in direct 

 connexion. 



¥u:. 4. Acer siK Fruit from the Horsefly River. 

 Probably the same as tie:. ^. l^t- 



