72 



A small fragment of a cone was found in the collection from the Tranquille river (figure 

 28). As shown, the specimen is very incomplete, showing neither base, apex nor complete 



Fic. 28. Finns t)'uncidui<, Dn. 

 Frtigii.ent of cone from Tranqiiille River, x 1/1. 



form, but from the curvature of the aide, vv'hich has been preserved with fair completeness, 

 as well as from iho size of the scales, it is evident that the cone is that of a hard pine and 

 evidently one of fairly large size. Its very close association with the leaves of P. trumculus 

 leads to the conclusion that it may he of the same species, and it is provisionally so designated. 



From the material so far obtainable it is not eas}^ to correlate P. trimcidits with any 

 existing species, but the following observations may bo made. 



In discussing the possible affinities of this species Sir William Dawson directed attention 

 to the apparent relation of the leaves to P. rigida and P. taeda. In a somewhat more critical 

 comparison of both leaves and cone wilh the various types of hard pine I find there is no 

 direct relation with P. rigida, and P. taeda fails to satisfy necessary conditions inasmuch as it 

 has only three leaver in a fascicle, while P. trunculus has live, but otherwise there is a close 

 correspondence in length. P. torregann. bears five leaves which are somewhat longer than in 

 P. trunculus, but the character of the cone is not the same. Pinus serotina agrees well with 

 respect to the length of leaves and the character of the cone, but the number of leaves 

 — three — is too small. In Pinu-'^ arizonica, the five leaves are 17 cm., long, and the 

 cone presents a very close resemblance, and from a consideration of all these facts I am 

 inclined to believe that it gives a closer approximation to the affinities of P. trunculus than 

 any other existing species. It will, nevertheless, require the confirmation of more ample 

 material to render this tentative conclusion a valid one. 



