Geological Survey Bulletin 204 Fossil Flora of the John Day Basin, Oregon

Family PLATANACEÆ.

PLATANUS ASPERA Newb.

PLATANUS ASPERA Newb., Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus Vol V, p. 509, 1883; Later Extinct Floras, p. 102, Pl. XLII, figs. 1—3; Pl. XLIV, fig. 5; Pl. LIX, fig. 3, 1898.

The types of this species are before me, together with a number of more or less fragmentary examples collected later. They exhibit nothing to modify the views originally expressed by Newberry.

Locality.—Bridge Creek, Grant County, Oregon. Collected by Rev. Thomas Condon (U. S. Nat. Mus., Nos. 7079, 7081, 7082, 7083) and Maj. Charles E. Bendire (U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 3010).

PLATANUS CONDONI (Newb.) Knowlton.

PLATANUS CONDONI (Newb.) Knowlton in Merriam, Univ. Cal., Bull. Dept. Geol., Vol. II, No. 9, p. 289, 1901.

Ficus? Condoni Newb., Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, p. 512,1883; Later Extinct Floras, p. 85, Vol. LVI, fig. 1; Pl. LVIII, fig. 1, 1898.

The following conclusions are based on all of the original types of Newberry, together with a considerable number more recently collected, which have passed through Lesquereux's hands. Newberry, as evidenced by the question mark placed after the genus as well as the discussion in the Later Extinct Floras, was in doubt as to the reference of these fine leaves to the genus Ficus, and Lesquereux referred them without. hesitation to Platanus basilobata. That it should be placed in the genus Platanus is certain, but that it should be referred to Professor Ward's species is not quite so clear. After a careful examination of the types of Platanus basilobata and consultation with their author, I can but conclude that, although close, there are sufficient differences to warrant keeping them apart, at least for the present. The basal lobes in P. basilobata are uniformly larger, and in most cases several times the size of those in the form under discussion, and, moreover, they appear to be always deeply lobed in the former and entire in the latter. Assuming that the evolutional tendency is to get rid of these large stipular organs, as suggested in the living P. occidentalis, the Bridge Creek form would represent a more recent and higher developed stage than P. basilobata, a supposition borne out by the relative ages of the beds in which they are found. In size of blade, configuration of margin, and in nervation the two forms are practically identical.

Localities.—Bridge Creek, Grant County, Oregon. Collected by Rev. Thomas Condon (Newberry's types. U. S. Nat. Mus., Nos. 7079, 7085) and Maj. Charles E. Bendire (U. S. Nat. Mus., Nos. 2892, 2898). Officer's ranch, lower end of Butler Basin. Collected by Dr. John C. Merriam, July 22, 1901 (U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 9206—9208).

PLATANUS NOBILIS ? Newb.

PLATANUS NOBILIS? Newb. Lesquereux, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. XI, p. 19, 1888.

The material from Van Horn's ranch contains a single very large leaf which Lesquereux identified with this species. This particular specimen lacks most of the margin, but as nearly as can be made out it was five-lobed and entire, or at most only undulate on the margin. In size it must have been more than 25 cm. long and 23 cm. or more broad. The petiole is preserved entire and is 8 cm. long and 7 mm. thick at the point of attachment to the branch and 4 mm. thick in the middle. The nervation of the leaf is strong. The margin not having been preserved it is hard to be positive of this determination, yet, all things considered, it is possibly correct, although the petiole is stronger than I remember to have seen in this species. Additional material must be awaited for satisfactory settlement.

Locality.—Van Horn's ranch, about 12 miles west of Mount Vernon, Grant County, Oregon. Collected by Maj. Charles E. Bendire (U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 2538).

PLATANUS ACEROIDES? (Göppert) Heer.

PLATANUS ACEROIDES (Göppert) Heer. Lesquereux, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. XI, p. 19, Pl. V, fig. 7,1888.

The two examples identified by Lesquereux as this species are very unlike in size, the smaller—the one figured—being 4 cm. long and a little more than 3.5 cm. broad, while the larger one is 11 or 12 cm. long and 13 cm. or more broad. I am uncertain as to the correctness of this identification. They do have somewhat the appearance of various leaves that have been referred to this species, but they also differ. There is not a sufficient amount of material, however, to warrant attempting to properly characterize them as new. I have there fore retained them as above, with the mark of interrogation after the specific name.

Locality.—Van Horn's ranch, about 12 miles west of Mount Vernon, Grant County, Oregon. Collected by Maj. Charles E. Bendire (U. S. Nat. Mus., Bull. No. 2535).

PLATANUS sp.

Platanus Raynoldsii Newberry. Lesquereux, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. XI, p. 19, 1888.

This identification rests on two fragments of very large leaves that are not in my opinion well enough preserved to warrant specific determination. They can hardly belong to P. Raynoldsii, as Lesquereux has stated, nor do they seem to be parts of either P. nobilis or P. aceroides. Just what they are I am unable to say at present.

Locality.—Van Horn's ranch, about 12 miles west of Mount Vernon, Grant County, Oregon. Collected by Maj. Charles E. Bendire (U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 2539).