i5« 
ALASKA GEOLOGY 
may be seen in the figures, they stand erect on short, thick branches, 
quite unlike the conditions obtaining in either of these genera. It may be 
that they are the branches of a conifer beset with numerous thick 
leaves, but neither do they meet all the requirements necessary for such 
a reference. I can only figure them and place them under this anoma¬ 
lous generic aggregation until additional light or further collections may 
be obtained. It is quite possible that they may not all belong to the 
same form. 
The species is named in honor of Mr. De Alton Saunders, by whom 
the collection of fossil plants was made. 
DISCUSSION OF THE FLORA 
The study of any fossil flora naturally possesses interest 
along two lines, the biological and the geological. Care¬ 
ful biological study is necessary in order that the forms 
under investigation may be relegated as nearly as possible 
to their proper position in the vegetable kingdom, and 
moreover, it may throw important light on the phylogeny 
of existing types. The geological study throws light on 
the age of the beds in which the flora is contained, and 
serves also to furnish a set of stratigraphic marks for the 
identification of similar horizons in other areas. 
BIOLOGICAL ASPECT 
For purposes of comparison and ready reference the 
following complete list of forms, disposed under families, 
is presented: 
I. Equisetace^e. 
i . Equisetum globulosum Lesq. 
II. PlNACE^S. 
2. Picea harrimani sp. nov. 
3. Picea , branches. 
4. Picea seed. 
5. Pinus leaves. 
6. Pinus scales of cone. 
7. Sequoia heerii Lesq. 
8. Sequoia , cone. 
