Page:Origin of the High Terrace Deposits of the Monongahela River.pdf/4

Rh vicinity of Morgantown, W. Va. A few small fragments were brought to the Museum by Dr. Hough, but it was not until 1894 that a collection of any magnitude was obtained. These proved to be of so much interest that the collection in the West Virginia University has also, by the kindness of S. B. Brown, professor of geology, been placed at my disposal. This material has all been made use of in the following examination.

The study of these plants has not been quite completed, but enough has been done to transmit the following presentation. A few well preserved examples appear to be new to science or at least not readily identifiable with known forms.

Thus far ten forms have been determined with much certainty as follows:

1. Equisetum arrense L.

A small fragment of a sterile branch.

This species is distributed from Virginia to California and northward to Greenland, and is also found in Europe. It is very abundant and attains perhaps its maximum development in New England.

2. Cyperus sp.

There are a number of stems that belong evidently to some cyperaceous plant, but they are too fragmentary to be determined.

3. Potamogeton robbinsii Oakes.

There are a great number of fragments of stems and leaves of this species, all so well preserved as to leave no doubt as to the correctness of their identification. Its present distribution is from New Brunswick to New Jersey, north of lake Superior and northward.

4. Liquidambar styracifolia L.

A number of fruiting heads and leaves are referred to this species. Its present distribution is from Connecticut and Illinois to Florida and Texas.

5. Platanus occidentalis L. Sycamore.

Several fruiting heads are referred to this species. It is found from Maine to Vermont, south.

6. Ulmus racemosa Thomas. The White Elm.

A well preserved leaf is referred to this species. It is now found from Ontario and Vermont to Missouri and Kentucky. It is nowhere very common, but is most abundant at the north.

7. Quercus falcata Mich.

Two finely preserved leaves of this species. It is found from Long Island to Florida.

8. Betula nigra L. Black Birch.

There are several leaves of this species all perfectly preserved. The tree is now distributed from Massachusetts to Florida.

9. Fagus ferruginea Ait. Beech.

A large number of well preserved leaves are referred without hesitation to this species. It is a common tree from Nova Scotia to Florida and west.

10. Castanea pumila Mill. Chinquapin.