De Saporta 



plays the same role as the Melanobalanus which you have; you have no Cerris and we 

 have no Melanobalanus. 



You have defined very accurately the differential characteristics of that very curious 

 American type, but that is very well circumscribed with the characteristics that 

 distinguish it from the species you have attributed them to. In a memoir from Dane 

 Oersted (who has since died) he only applied to this subgender the denomination of 

 Erythrobalanus. 



It is possible, as you have mentioned, that at another time this type had fossil 

 representatives in Europe. I could send you copies of the tertiary species with the 

 same characteristics that belonged to that group. 



In the earliest eocene of Gelinden in Belgium where I at this moment study the flora, I 

 found many beautiful oaks which belong to the groups of Lepidobalanus and Cerris, 

 mostly the latter. In the Upper eocene of the terraine in Aix I found oaks that 

 produced types of Quercus ilex; others were big Quercus phellos imbricaria et virem. 

 The first 2 belong to the Erythrobalanus or Melanobalanus, revealing the presence of 

 that section of eocene which is found in Europe. 



Later I reported that in the oligocene there are a few oaks with angulated and 

 lobulated leaves. These are similar to the Quercus cunifolis armata oligondota. 

 However they have stringy leaves similar to the Quercus caterbais and iliciforlis. 

 These have small closed leaves similar to the deciduous live forms. 



If you would like details it will give me great pleasure to send them to you. I will 

 also send you several of my publications but presently I am in the country and do not 

 have my books at hand. 



On my return I would like you to do me a great Service by sending me samples of 

 your well classified oaks with an indication of their type. I would specially like the 

 following species: Quercus dermosa, emoryi, reticulata, cheysdepis, and umvulata. 

 Also Quercus wislizens and Q. myrlifolia. 



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