Nematopyton in the N. ¥. Museum.—Prosser. 373 
It was further stated that “As no paleobotanist has yet 
studied this specimen, its identity is not determined... . Prof. 
John M. Clarke, assistant state geologist, suggests that it 
may be the gigantic seaweed, described by Dawson under 
the name ‘Celluloxylon primaevum.’ * * Whatever the family 
and species of this plant may prove -to be, it is extremely 
rare from this horizon.’”* While in a foot note on the same 
page is the statement that “Since the above was written a 
microscopic examination of a part of the trunk has been made 
by Prof. D. P. Penhallow who determines it to be Nematophy- 
ton logani Dawson.” The succeeding report contained the fol- 
lowing account of the “‘Nematophytum at Monroe ” by the 
State Paleontologist, Dr. John M. Clarke; ‘‘Two or three years 
ago the writer, urged on the late state geologist and paleontol- 
ogist the importance of securing for the museum a specimen 
of the so-called ‘fossil-tree’ from the Hamilton rocks at 
Monroe, Orange Co. The fossil had been found on the farm of 
O.H. Cooley, whose father had years ago sent specimens to 
Prof. Hall for examination. It represents a great trunk-like sea- 
weed of the genus Nematophytum, which has, by the favor of 
Prof. D. P. Penhallow of McGill University, been identified with 
his Nematophytum logani. When originally found, the length 
of this alga was 24 feet. Visitors during a number of years 
carried away parts of the trunk, till at the date referred to only 
about 12 or 14 feet remained. Asa result of the writer’s sug- 
gestion, the specimen was obtained by the director of the state 
museum and now makes a striking specimer in its collection. 
Subsequently Mr. Cooley uncovered several more such great 
trunks and the writer has visited the locality to see if any of 
them would be a material addition to that which we already 
have. The other specimens, however, are much shorter and 
less perfectly preserved, and it has therefore seemed unnec- 
essary to incur expense in order to acquire additional exam- 
ples of this great seaweed.” + 
Dr. Clarke has written me that when he “was last at the 
locality there were six smaller trunks in sight, and although 
I did not want any of them I suggested that Mr. Cooley 
open negotiations with the iarge museums which | think 
+ hid Bifty-thira An. Rept. of the Regents, 1899 vol. i, 1901, pp. 674-675. 
The ‘Report of the State Paleontologist, 1899,’’ however, which contains the 
above account was published in 1900. 
