PLATANUS ASPERA Newb.
PLATANUS ASPERA Newb., Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus Vol V,
p. 509, 1883; Later Extinct
Floras, p. 102, Pl. XLII, figs. 13; 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.
92069208).
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 smallerthe one
figuredbeing 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).