Two New Pollen Genera 

(Late Cretaceous and 

Paleocene) With Possible 

Affinity to the Illiciaceae

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F

If^ork done in cooperation with the 

Kentucky Geological Survey
Two New Pollen Genera 

(Late Cretaceous and 

Paleocene) With Possible 

Affinity to the Uliciaceae

By ROBERT H. TSCHUDY

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F

Work done in cooperation with the 

Kentucky Geological Survey

Two new genera Terscissus and Trisectoris 

are described^ and the stratigraphic ranges 

oj the species are delineated

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1970
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

WALTER J. HICKEL, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

William T. Pecora, Director

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 

Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 50 cents (paper cover)
CONTENTS

Abstract_ ________________________________________

Introduction.______________________________________

Acknowledgments__ _ _ _________________________

Methods of processing samples and preparing slides____

Source of material-_________________________________

Modern pollen________________________________

Fossil pollen localities.__________________________

The modern genus Illicium.... _______________________

The new fossil genera, Terscissus and Trisectoris. _______

Systematic descriptions._____________________________

Genus Terscissus n. gen________________________

Terscissus grandis n. sp______________________

Terscissus canalis n. sp_ _____________________

Terscissus crassus n. sp______________________

Terscissus sp. !_____________________________

Terscissus sp. 2_____________________________

Terscissus sp. 3_____________--_______-______

Terscissus sp. 4_____________________________

Page

Fl

1

1

2

2

2

2

4

5

5

5

6

6

7

7

8

8

8

Page 

Systematic descriptions Continued

Genus Trisectoris n. gen_________________________ F8

Trisectoris costatus n. sp_ ____________________ 8

Trisectoris stoveri n. sp_____________________ 9

Trisectoris sp. 1___________________________ 9

Trisectoris sp. 2___________________________ 9

Morphologic synopsis of the genera Illicium, Terscissus, 

and Trisectoris... _________________________________ 10

Other possibly related genera_______________________ 10

Myocolpopollenites. _____________________________ 10

Tricolpites _____________________________________ 10

Stratigraphic distribution of the genera Terscissus and

Trisectoris. ______________________________________ 11

The genus Terscissus....... ..................... 11

The genus !Tmeci0ns____________________________ 13

References cited.___________________________________ 13

ILLUSTRATIONS

	[Plates follow index] 

PLATE 1. Modern Illicium species.

2. Terscissus grandis holotype and paratypes.

3. Terscissus grandis isolated segments.

4. Terscissus canalis holotype and paratypes.

5. Terscissus crassus holotype and paratypes.

6. Reticulate species of Terscissus.

7. Terscissus species 4 and Trisectoris costatus holotype and paratypes.

8. Trisectoris stoveri holotype and paratypes and other species of Trisectoris.

9. Myocolpopollenites and Tricolpites.

FIGURE 1. Index map of fossil localities in Maryland and New Jersey, the Mississippi embayment region, northern 

Mexico, and western Venezuela.______________________-_______________--__-------------------_

2. Stratigraphic ranges of species of the genera Terscissus and Trisectoris. ________________________________

New

Tige

F2

12

TABLE

TABLE 1. Comparison of some morphologic features of the genera Illicium, Terscissus, and Trisectoris. __________________ F10

in

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

TWO NEW POLLEN GENERA (LATE CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE) 

WITH POSSIBLE AFFINITY TO THE ILLICIACEAE

By ROBERT H. TSCHUDT

ABSTRACT

Palynological examination of Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene samples disclosed several pollen species that are commonly 

found as isolated thirds, rather than complete specimens. Two 

new fossil pollen genera, Tersoissus and Trisectoris, are 

described for these pollen species. Three new species are 

included in the genus Tersoissus and two new species are 

assigned to the genus Trisectoris. Four unnamed species belonging to the genus Terscissus and two to the genus Trisectoris are 

discussed and figured. Comparison is made with some species 

of the modern genus Illloium, which also possess the tendency 

to separate into three isolated segments.

All the species in these two genera are from rocks of Date 

Cretaceous and Paleocene age. The stratigraphic range of each 

species is shown.

INTRODUCTION

During the investigation of Cretaceous and Tertiary 

pollen and spore assemblages from the Mississippi 

embayment region, several species of morphologically 

distinctive palynomorphs were noted from samples 

immediately above and below the Cretaceous-Tertiary 

boundary. Much later, the discovery of complete specimens proved that these distinctive palynomorphs were, 

in fact, separate thirds of pollen grains. The discovery 

of complete grains reminded me that I had found 

similar-appearing forms while examining samples from 

Venezuela. A reexamination of the Venezuelan material 

confirmed that some of the Venezuelan fossils closely 

resembled one of the species from the Mississippi 

embayment region.

A comparison of these new fossil pollen grains with 

grains of modern pollen led to the conclusion that the 

morphologic features of the fossils most closely resembled some features of pollen grains of the modern 

genus Illicium in the Illiciaceae. Illicium is a member 

of the most primitive order of angiosperms, the Ranales 

(Stebbins,1950,p.471).

The principal feature shared by modern pollen of 

some species of Illicium and the fossil pollen described

below is the tendency to split into thirds along the 

syncolpate suture lines. I know of no other genus1 of 

modern plants in which this occurs.

The modern genus Illicium includes species with two 

different types of pollen, the syncolpate type with colpi 

bordered by ridges or thickenings (margos) and the 

tricolpate type, morphologically almost identical vdth 

the syncolpate type, in which the colpi do not qnite 

reach the poles. The pollen grains of ScMzandra and 

Kadsura, also belonging to the Ranales, though not 

syncolpate, are somewhat similar morphologically to 

the pollen of Illicium^ but Illicium is unique in the possession of syncolpate pollen grains that split into thirds.

Two new genera have been erected to accommodate 

the new species described in this paper. These species 

are useful fossils of comparatively narrow stratigraphic range.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to thank Mr. R. A. J. Rosset of Compaiiia 

Shell de Venezuela, Ltd., Mr. J. A. Shields of Mobil Oil 

Company de Venezuela, Mr. Amos Salvador, and Mr. 

Virgil Winkler of Creole Petroleum Corporation of 

Venezuela for giving me permission to publish data 

pertaining to the fossils from Venezuelan rocks. I am 

grateful to Mr. W. W. Fairchild, Standard Oil of 

Texas, for providing the sample from the Bayou Lennan Member of the Pendleton Formation of the Wilcox 

Group. Jack A. Wolfe generously allowed me to use 

some of his specimens from the Magothy Formation. 

I thank also Mr. Richard H. Eyde of the Smithsoman 

Institution, Washington, D.C., for supplying polleniferous material of three species of modern lUicium, and 

Avalonne Kosanke and the Denver Botanic Gardens 

for providing flowers of lUicium anisatum. Sharon Van 

Loenen and Helen Pakiser were of inestimable hel") in 

preparing the material and photographing the fossils.

Fl
F2 CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

METHODS OF PROCESSING SAMPLES AND 

PREPARING SLIDES

Kock samples were treated in a conventional manner 

by use of hydrofluoric acid to disaggregate and partly 

dissolve the inorganic matrix. The residue was then 

oxidized with Schulze solution (HNO3 + NaClO3 ), and 

the solubilized humates were removed by a short exposure to 10-percent NaOH solution. Pollen and spores 

were concentrated from the residue by flotation by use 

of zinc bromide (specific gravity about 2) and were 

then "panned" by means of the technique suggested by 

Funkhouser and Evitt (1959).

In most of the preparations the palynomorphs were 

mixed with Vinylite AYAF in 90-percent alcohol 

(polyvinyl acetate plastic, refractive index 1.466). 

Several drops of the mixture were placed on a cover 

glass, and another cover glass placed on the mixture 

thus forming a sandwich. After the plastic had spread 

evenly to the margins, the cover glasses were separated 

by sliding them in opposite directions lengthwise in 

much the same manner as a blood smear is made. This 

method provided a thin, evenly distributed film of pollen and spores in a mountant of favorable refractive 

index. After the mixture on the cover glasses had dried 

for a few minutes on a warming plate, the cover glasses 

were inverted and mounted on slides in Permount. This 

method serves to anchor all the fossils close to the cover 

glass so that they can be examined conveniently, even 

under high-power oil-immersion lenses. The use of 

Vinylite was suggested by Alfred Traverse (written 

commun., 1958). Some of the preparations were mounted in Canada balsam, and a few of the earlier preparations of Venezuelan material were mounted in glycerine

jelly.

SOURCE OF MATERIAL 

MODERN POLLEN

The photographs of modern Illwium pollen included 

in this report are of pollen from permanent slides on 

file in the palynological laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colo. For the most part the 

modern pollen was obtained from flowers on herbarium 

sheets. Anthers from these flowers were acetylated by 

means of Erdtman's (1943) method to remove cellulosic 

tissue and the cell contents of the pollen grains. The 

pollen was then mounted on slides in AYAF plastic, 

as outlined above. Each preparation was given an accession number with the prefix P; for example, P2855 

Itticium floridanum Ellis. This number is referred in 

the accession book to the herbarium sheet from which 

it was obtained. Multiple slides from the same preparation are indicated thus: P2855, slide I ; P2855, slide 3.

FOSSIL POLLEN LOCALITIES

The fossil pollen grains from the United States used 

in this study are cataloged under the appropriate U.S. 

Geological Survey locality and slide numbers; for example, D3000, slide 7. Those from Venezuela are listed 

under preparation and slide numbers; for example, 

TS-200, slide 3.

The rock samples that yielded specimens of the new 

genera Terscissus and Trisectoris are from four general 

localities: The Mississippi embayment region, the coastal plain of Maryland and New Jersey, northern New 

Mexico, and western Venezuela (fig. 1). Specimens used 

in this study, including those shown on tH plates, are 

from the following specific localities.

FIGURE 1.- Fossil localities in Maryland and New Jersey 

(1), the Mississippi embayment region (2), northern 

New Mexico (3), and western Venezuela (4).

United States 

specimens:

USOS

paleobotany

loc. Nos.

D1322 ..

D1846.

Locality

Type locality. 2.25 miles S. of 

Lakeshore, Md., on North 

Ferry Point, adjacent to and 

on N. bank of Magothy River, Anne Arundel County, 

Md.

Type locality of Bayou Lennan 

Member. NWJ4SWJ4 sec - 12» 

T. 6 N., R. 13 W., Sabine 

Parish, La. Elev 165 ft (Andersen, 1960, p. 75).

Stratigraphic unit

Magothy Formation.

B^you Lennan. 

Member, Pendleton Formation of Andersen (1960) 

in Wilcox 

Group.
TWO NEW POLLEN GENERA (LATE CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE) F3

United States 

specimens:

USOS

paleobotany

loc. Nos. locality

D1864___ On abandoned lane 900 ft S. of 

Independence School; Kentucky coordinates, South 

zone, E. 1,267,650 ft; N. 

144,650 ft, Hico 7J^-min 

quad., Galloway County, Ky.

D1867___ 1,000 ft SE. of Independence

School; eastward cut in right 

wall of stream; Kentucky coordinates, South zone, E. 

1,268,500 ft; N. 145,000 ft, 

Hico 7^-min quad., Galloway County, Ky.

D1967-A__ Type locality of McNairy Sand 

Member. W. end of big cut 

in Southern RR. E. of Dismal Swamp and Tuscumbia 

River. Base is approximately 

same elevation as track and 

40 ft NW. of railroad crossing. South center NWtfSWJi, 

Chewala quad., McNairy 

County, Tenn.

D3000_ _ 1,850 ft ENE. of Roberts

cemetery, 2.1 miles ESE. of 

Shiloh, stream channel of 

headwater drainage of Sugar 

Creek; Kentucky coordinates, 

South zone, E. 1,289,050 ft; 

N. 135,150 ft, Hico 7^-min 

quad., Galloway County, Ky.

D3001_._ 6,500 ft SSW. of Shiloh in

channel of tributary of Jonathan Creek; Kentucky coordinates, South zone, E. 

1,272,250 ft; N. 132,050 ft, 

Hico 7X-min quad., Galloway 

County, Ky.

D3143-B__ Right bank of Clarks River,

0.25 mile W. of Cold Spring; 

Kentucky coordinates, South 

zone, E. 1,186,550 ft; N. 

251,450 ft, Symsonia quad., 

McCracken County, Ky.

D3210____ _ N. side of Ohio River near water 

level (elev 291.5 ft); about 

1,000 ft downstream from 

statue in Massac Park; 

Kentucky coordinates, South 

zone, E. 1,135,800 ft; N. 

307,700 ft, Metropolis quad., 

Massac County, 111.

D3378__. Drill hole PW-14 in Noble

Park, Kentucky coordinates, 

South zone, E. 1,158,150 ft; 

N. 287,700 ft, Paducah West 

7J4-min quad., McCracken 

County, Ky.

Stratigraphic unit

McNairy Sand.

Clayton Formation.

McNairy Sand 

Member of 

Ripley 

Formation.

McNairy Sand.

McNairy Sand.

Clayton Formation.

McNairy Sand.

McNairy Sand.

United States 

specimens:

USOS

paleobotany

loc. Nos.

D3410_____

Locality

Type locality. From right bank 

of Owl Creek, 2.5 miles NE. 

of Ripley, Miss., E>_ sec. 7, 

T. 4 S., R. 4 E., Tippah 

County, Miss.

D3410-B 14 ft above stream level. ______

D3410-C. _ 22 ft above stream level. _______

D3412___ Type locality, near middle. 

Elev 440 ft along bluff on 

left bank Tennessee River 

0.3 mile downstream from 

mile 185 and 0.9 mile E. of 

crossroads N. of Coffee 

Landing, Hardin County, 

Tenn.

D3416___ 6 ft below unconformable contact with Owl Creek Formation; NW^NW^ sec. 10, 

T. 27 N., R. 11 E., Advance 

1% min quad., Stoddard 

County, Mo.

D3420___ 1.15 miles NNE. of Thomson

Chapel; 550 ft N., 75 ft E. of 

road junction E. side of U.S. 

Highway 60; 0.9 mile S. of N. 

edge Little Cypress 7^-min 

quad.; Kentucky coordinates, 

South zone, E. 1,227,200 ft; 

N. 292,400 ft, Livingston 

County, Ky.

D3507_____ 0.5 mile S. of Reidland High 

School, elev 320 ft; small 

tributary of Clarks River; 

Kentucky coordinates, South 

zone, E. 1,186,500 ft; N. 

258,300 ft, Paducah East 

7^2-min quad., McCracken 

County, Ky.

D3522___ 600 ft SE. Independence School; 

Kentucky coordinates, South 

zone, E. 1,268,350 ft; N. 

145,100 ft, Hico 7^-min quad., 

Galloway County, Ky.

D3522-A__ 4-5 ft below stream__________

D3523___ 0.9 mile SW. of Shiloh, elev 145 

ft; Kentucky coordinates, 

South zone, E. 1,272,900 ft; 

N. 136,600 ft, Hico 7^-min 

quad., Galloway County, Ky.

D3524_____ 0.75 mile SW. of Shiloh, elev 

125-130 ft; Kentucky 

coordinates, South zone, E 

1,275,650 ft; N. 134,100 ft, 

Hico 7^-min quad., 

Galloway County, Ky.

Stratigraphic unit

Owl Creek 

Formation.

Owl Creek 

Formation.

Owl Creek 

Formation.

Coffee Sand.

Upper part, 

McNairy 

Sand.

McNairy Sane1 .

Clayton Formation.

McNairy Sand.

McNairy Sand, 

McNairy Sand.

McNairy Sand,
F4 CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

United Slates 

specimens:

USGS

paleobotany

loc. Nos. Locality Stratigraphic unit

D3546___ Auger hole 600 ft SE. of 

Independence School, 

Kentucky; Kentucky 

coordinates, South zone, E. 

1,268,350 ft; N. 145,100 ft, 

Hico 7J>_-min quad., 

Galloway County, Ky.

D3546-B__ 2}o ft above base of lignitic clay_ 

D3546-C__ 3}_ ft above base of lignitic clay.

D3546-D__ 41/2 ft above base of lignitic clay_ 

D3546-E__ 5% ft above base of lignitic clay_ 

D3546-F__ 6}4 ft above base of lignitic clay_

D3574-B__ Well T-l-F, S. of State Highway 59, 1.1 miles SE. of 

Braden, Fayette County, 

Tenn., depth 734 ft.

D3910___ P6-l corehole, C. sec. 33, T. 

31 N., R. 19 E., in York 

Canyon, Colfax County, 

N. Mex. 

D3910-C Depth 857 ft________________

11056__ Garbage dump 0.75 mile S. of 

Melvins Creek, lat 40°26.55' 

N.;long74°17.5' W., South 

Amboy quad., Middlesex 

County, N.J.

11057. . About 0.5 mile SW. of garbage 

dump, 0.75 mile S. of 

Melvins Creek, lat 40°26' N.; 

long 74°17.70' W., South 

Amboy quad., Middlesex 

County, N.J.

11062-B_._ Lat 39°59.17' N.; long 75°1.5' 

W., Camden quad., Camden 

County, N.J.

Venezuela 

specimens: 

loc. Nos.

RT-178V__

RT-180V_. 

RT-179V_. 

TS-200_. 

TS-230 .

Well CR-4 (Shell-Rosario field

S. of Alturitas, Venezuela).

Maracaibo coordinates, S.

161,378.98 m; W. 105,116.25

m. Greenwich long 72°36';

lat 9°11'. Depth 11,200-

11,230 ft. 

Well CR-4. Depth 10,510-

10,540 ft. 

Well CR-4. Depth 11,020-

11,050ft. 

Well CR-4. Depth 11,200-

11,230 ft. 

Well CR-4. Depth 11,230-

11,260 ft.

McNairy Sand.

Clay ton Formation.

Clayton Formation.

Clay ton Formation.

Clayton Formation.

Upper part, 

Wilcox Group.

Raton Formation.

Raton Formation.

Amboy stoneware clay of 

Kummel and 

Knapp (1904) 

in the Magothy Formation.

Magothy 

Formation.

Upper part, 

Magothy 

Formation.

Mito Juan 

Formation.

Guasare

Formation. 

Catatumbo

Formation. 

Mito Juan

Formation. 

Mito Juan

Formation.

Venezuela

specimens:

loc. Nos.

Z390V___-

Locality Strafigraphic unit

Rosalia 1 well (Mobil wildcat Eocene, 

in Barinas near Apure River, 

Venezuela). Maracaibo coordinates, S. 332,367.44 m; 

E. 116,781.00 m. Greenwich 

lat 7°39'; long 70°34'. 

Depth 9,260-9,270 ft.

THE MODERN GENUS ILLICIT*

IHfcium is a genus of aromatic shrubs or small trees. 

With the exception of several species found in Southern 

United States, its distribution is primarily confined to 

Southeast Asia (Japan, Malaysia, Philippine Republic, 

China, and India). About 20 species were attributed 

to the genus by Wodehouse (1935). As many as 42 

species were placed in the genus by A. C. ^mith (1947). 

Pollen grains of all species heretofore reported are from 

28/ui (microns) to 35/x. in diameter. Descriptions of the 

pollen of only four species are available to me. The 

descriptions are included here. 

lUwiuin floridanum Ellis

Illustrated specimens from colln. W. H. Duncan 

USNH 14879, Geneva Comity, Ala., March 29, 

1953. Modern pollen preparation P2855. Plate 1, 

figures 1-4.

Pollen described by Wodehouse (1935), Pokrovskaia (1950), and Erdtman (1952). Following description from Wodehorse (1935, p. 

335) : "Grains uniform, spheroid?,!, about 28.5/* 

in diameter; tricolpate, occasionally dicolpate. 

Furrows long and slender, meeting at both 

poles, without germ pores. Exine completely 

covered by a system of anastonosing ridges 

bounding angular lacunae and ending with 

closed and somewhat smaller lacunae along the 

furrows, the ridges coalescing to form a sort of 

rim; mesh of the reticulum somewhat finer than 

in the grains of Drimys winteri, otherwise 

similar."

Remarks. Pokrovskaia (1950) listed the size range 

as 21ju,-30ju,. Pollen of this species is syncolpate.

Itticium religiosum (/. anisatum (L.) Sieb. and 

Zucc.) Shikimi

Pollen described by Wodehouse (1935) and 

Pokrovskaia (1950). Following description from 

Wodehouse (1935, p. 336) : "Grains indistinguishable from those of the preceding species. 

[/. floridanum]."

Remarks. Pokrovskaia gave the size range as 24/j. 

to 30ji* and mentioned that the lacunae of the reticulum 

are smaller in /. religiosum, than in /. -floridanum.
TWO NEW POLLEN GENERA (LATE CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE) F5

yunnanense Franchet 

The following description from Wodehouse 

(1935, p. 336) : "Grains uniform, oblately flattened and more or less three-lobed in outline, 

about 30.8/A in diameter, tricolpate, with furrows 

long and tapering but not quite meeting at either 

pole, deeply sunken, imparting to the grain its 

three-lobed appearance. Furrow membrane 

marked with median linear thickenings throughout their length but with no indication of germ 

pores. Exine of the general surface uniformly 

reticulate, similar to that of grains of Schieandra. 

(pi. 5, fig. 10) but of heavier ridges and smaller 

and less angular lacunae."

Remarks. All the species of Illicium that I have 

examined possess the median linear thickening throughout the lengths of the colpi. This feature is not present 

in the new fossil genera discussed in this report. 

Illwium anisatvm Linn

Illustrated specimens Colln. Avalonne Kosanke, 

from the Denver Botanic Gardens. Modern pollen preparation P3382. Plate 1, figures 13-17. 

Following description from Erdtman (1952, 

p. 254) : "Grains 3-colp(oid)ate [longicolp- 

(oid)ate], suboblate (about 29X35/*). Sexine 

reticulate (or provided with an undulating tegillum?). Muri cf. dupli-tribaculate, 

carinate."

Remarks. The specimen (pi. 1, figs. 13 and 14) 

shows the presence of the median linear colpal thickenings in polar view.

Pollen from two additional species of Illicinim was 

obtained from flowers supplied through the courtesy 

of Mr. Eyde of the Smithsonian Institution. Descriptions of these species follow: 

IlUciwm simonsii Maxim

Colln. J. F. Rork USNH 11725 Yunan (China), 

March 1924. Modern pollen preparation P2856. 

Plate 1, figures 9-12.

Grains spheroidal, often slightly prolate, 

31/i-36/* in diameter; tricolpate. Colpi long 

and slender, approaching but not meeting at 

either pole. Colpi membranes possessing 

median linear thickenings throughout their 

entire length. Exine coarsely reticulate, lacunae distinctly larger in the equatorial region 

than at the poles and along the colpi, muri 

coarse, duplibaculate to multibaculate. Colpi 

bordered by thickened exine made up of 

anastomosed muri. Separate segments (thirds) 

rarely found after acetylation. 

Illiciutn henryi Diels var. typicwn A. C. Smith 

Colln. E. H. Wilson USNH 3087 Hupeh

366-862 O 70 2

(China). Modern pollen preparation P2°57. 

Plate 1, figures 5-8.

Grains spheroidal, 28/i-34/A in diameter, syncolpate, colpi long and slender, meeting at 

both poles. Colpal membranes with median 

linear thickenings. Exine uniformly reticulate 

except along the colpi, lacunae irregular in 

outline, muri narrow, similar to those in I. 

anisatum. Separate segments (thirds) common 

after acetylation.

Remarks. The separation of pollen grains of 

IHicmm into segments is mentioned by Pokrovsl'aia 

(1950) : "The exine [of lUwitmi] of the furrows is thin. 

Also, as a result of alkali treatment, the membrane of 

the furrows splits easily in such a manner that the pollen is found divided into three parts in the form of sunlit 

sections of an orange, whenever the furrows approach 

the poles."

THE NEW FOSSIL GENERA, TERSCISSUS 

AND TRISECTORIS

All photographed specimens of fossils recorded 

herein are on slides deposited in the palynological laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colo. 

All illustrated specimens are within black-ink circles 

marked directly on the slides; they may also be located 

on the slides by mechanical-stage coordinates given in 

the plate explanations. In order that others may convert 

their mechanical-stage readings to those recorded for 

the specimens included in this report, the coordinates 

for the center point of a 1X 3-inch standard microscope 

slide are 108.0 and 12.3 mm. The method of accurately 

locating the center of a standard microscope slide is 

described by Tschudy (1966, p. D78). With the srlide 

label to the left, our vertical coordinates decrease 

toward the near edge of the slide and the horizontal 

coordinates decrease toward the right-hand end of the 

slide.

In addition to slides of the illustrated specimens, 

color photographs of the new genera and species 

described in this report are available from the U.S. 

Geological Survey laboratory, Denver, Colo., on a limited-time loan basis.

SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTIONS

Genus TERSCISSUS n. gen.

Type species. Terscissus grandis n. sp.

Diagnosis. Pollen grains radially symmetrical; outline circular, rounded triangular or slightly three 

lobed; inaperturate, syncolpate, or syncolpoidate; 

divided into three segments by prominent grooves 

(colpi) bordered by prominent margos or lips, grooves 

joining at both poles. Complete grains usually rare,
F6 CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

more often occurring as isolated thirds. Ornamentation 

various, reticulate, clavate, or baculate.

Terscissus grandis n. sp. 

Plate 2, figures 1-4; plate 3, figures 1-6

Holotype D3546-C, slide 5, coordinates 98.0 X 

11.5, plate 2, figures 1,2.

Paratype. D3546-C, slide 5, coordinates 88.3 X 

21.3, plate 2, figure 3.

Paratype. D1867, slide 8, coordinates 91.3 X 18.3, 

plate 2, figure 4.

Diagnosis. Large syncolpate pollen grains, with 

prominent margos; surface ornamentation of regularly 

distributed islands made up of several clavae fused at 

their tips; areas devoid of clavae with short, densely 

packed verrucae.

Description. Complete specimens are rounded triangular to slightly trilobed in outline. Based on 20 

complete specimens and over 100 isolated segments, the 

diameter has been determined to range from 125/i to 

185/x. Dimensions of isolated thirds are 58/* X 78/i 

(lateral) and 106/x X 124/x (radial). Three colpi, extending from pole to pole (syncolpate), divide the 

surface into three well-defined areas. Commonly the 

fossils are found as isolated segments or thirds, which 

indicate that the colpus or furrow membranes are thinner than the remainder of the exine. The colpi are 

bordered by prominent margos, which are separated 

from the remainder of the surface by thinner areas or 

channels. The wall is 12/x-18/i thick, including the 

sculpture. The endexine is 3ju,-5/A thick. The clavae of 

the ektexine are about S/x-13/A long and irregularly fused 

at their tips forming an incomplete tectum. Areas devoid of clavae and, in particular, areas in channels 

separating the margos from the remainder of the heavily sculptured areas possess short, densely packed 

verrucae.

Discussion. The shape of isolated segments is 

roughly deltoid in polar view and circular where found 

in equatorial view. Several isolated segments are shown 

on plate 3 (figs. 2-5). Such segments are much more 

common in palynological preparations than are complete specimens. Interference contrast photographs (pi. 

3, fig. 1) provide a view of the surface relief and clearly 

show the small verrucae at the base of the larger sculptural elements and in the channels adjacent to the 

prominent margos.

Sparse broken pieces of the margos are found (pi. 

3, fig. 6). These provide excellent sections of the wall 

in. the vicinity of the colpi and show the apical fusion 

of the large clavae.

All specimens from the Owl Creek Formation appear 

to differ from specimens from the Clayton Formation

by possessing slightly larger clavae. Some clavae are 

fused at their apices to form an incomplete tectum (pi. 

3, figs. 4, 5). Some Owl Creek specimens display a 

tendency to have an incomplete banding arrangement 

of the coarse sculptural elements centrifugal to the 

channel which separates the margo from the remainder 

of the surface. This tendency is not apparent in all 

specimens. Because of the absence of complete specimens from the Owl Creek and the fact that all Owl 

Creek specimens do not show the tendency to banding, 

it seems inappropriate at this time to erect a new species 

for Owl Creek specimens on the basis of the slightly 

larger size of the surface clavae the only feature that 

differentiates these forms from Terscissus grandis.

Affinity. A similarity to the modern g°inus Illicium 

is suggested by the gross morphology of the pollen 

grains and the tendency of the grains to split into 

thirds. The fossils assigned to Terscissus grandis, however, are many times larger than pollen c f any known 

species of modem Illicium,. Affinity with the Illiciaceae 

is postulated.

Occurrence. Terscissus grandis has been found in 

the Clayton Formation of Paleocene age. One specimen 

was found in the upper part of the Upper Cretaceous 

McNairy Sand, and many specimens of a slightly variant form were found in the Owl Creek Formation of 

Late Cretaceous age. All these rocks are present in the 

upper part of the Mississippi embayment region.

Terscissus canalis n. sp. 

Plate 4, figures 1-6

Holotype. KT-178V, slide alpha, coordinates 106.3 

X 7.9, plate 4, figure 1.

Paratype. KT-178V, slide alpha, coordinates 95.0 

X 13.0, plate 4, figure 2.

Paratype. KT-178V, slide alpha, coordinates 107.0 

X 19.4, plate 4, figure 3.

Paratype. RT-178V, slide beta, coordinates 97.2 

X 15.1, plate 4, figured.

Diagnosis. Large syncolpate pollen grains, with 

prominent margos; each third with three channels separating the densely packed clavae into ?, margo, two 

annular segments, and one circular segment.

Description. Complete specimens are probably 

rounded triangular to slightly trilobed in outline. The 

one complete specimen is distorted. The dimensions of 

the one complete specimen are 140/i X 184/x. On the 

basis of 20 isolated segments (thirds), the dimensions 

of the segments have been determined to range from 

74/x to 160/* (lateral) and 80/x to 1(% (radial). Three 

colpi, extending from pole to pole (syncolpate), divide 

the surface into three well-defined areas. The membranes of the colpi or furrows are relatively thin, per-
TWO NEW POLLEN GENERA (LATE CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE) F7

mitt ing easy separation of the pollen grain into three 

segments. The colpi are bordered by prominent margos 

or lips. The margo is separated from the remainder of 

the heavily sculptured surface by a narrow channel. Two 

additional continuous channels divide each segment 

into three annular bands plus a circular central portion. 

The wall is ll/A-lS/*. thick, including the sculpture. The 

endexine is 3ju,-5j«, thick and the ektexine ranges in thickness from 8ft to 14/A. The surface, except in the channels, 

is densely covered with robust clavae; some clavae are 

fused at their tips with adjacent clavae. Short verrucae 

or granulae are present in the floor of the channels but 

are difficult to see except in abnormally expanded specimens. This species differs from Terscissus grcmdis by 

possessing a wall separated into annual segments, by 

the much greater density of the large surface clavae, 

and by the lack of readily visible verrucae between the 

large clavae.

Discussion. The shape of isolated segments is identical with that of segments of Terscissus grandis. Because only one complete specimen was found and because the species can easily be identified from isolated 

thirds, isolated thirds were chosen as paratypes. One 

of the paratypes shown (pi. 4, fig. 3) lacks the margo 

but is otherwise a complete segment. As in the type 

species, isolated fragments only of the margo are found. 

One of these fragments, which provides a cross section 

of the wall of the margo, is shown on plate 4, figure 6. 

The thick endexine and the clavae whose enlarged tips 

are fused into a tectum. are shown. The tightly packed 

clavae and the surface relief are seen in another 

picture (pi. 4, fig. 5) taken using interference contrast.

Affinity. Possibly with the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. This species has so far been found only 

in the Mito Juan Formation of Maestrichtian age in 

western Venezuela.

Terscissus crassus n. sp. 

Plate 5, figures 1-6

Holotyiw. RT-IlQV, slide 6, coordinates 90.0 X 

16.9, plate 5, figure 1.

Paratype. ET-179V, slide 8, coordinates 94.8 X 

13.7, plate 5, figure 2.

Paratype. ET-179V, slide 10, coordinates 105.2 X 

19.3, plate 5, figure 3.

Paratype. KT-179V, slide 10, coordinates 88.4 X 

9.4, plate 5, figure 4.

Paratype. KT-179V, slide 9 (single grain), coordinates 105.0 X 12.0, plate 5, figure 5.

Diagnosis. Large syncolpate pollen grains with 

prominent margos; coarse clavae mushroom shaped and 

a few fused with adjacent clavae at their tips; no visible 

verrucae between large clavae.

Description. No complete grains were found. On the 

basis of 33 segments and many fragments, the dimensions of the individual thirds have been determined to 

range from 90/* to 100/* (lateral) and 120/* to 140/t 

(radial). The holotype, though broken and incomplete, 

shows clearly the three-segment characteristic of the 

genus. Three colpi, extending from pole to pole (s;Tncolpate), divide the grains into three well-defined areas. 

The colpi or furrow membranes are thinner than the 

remainder of the exine, facilitating the separation of 

the segments. The colpi are 'bordered by very prominent 

margos. The wall is lO/t-16/A thick, including the sculpture. The endexine is 3ju,-5ju, thick. Clavae are 7ju.-llju. 

long, enlarged, mushroom shaped at the tips, and often 

fused at the tips with one to several adjacent clavae. 

Clavae are robust and densely packed, thus giving the 

appearance of a coarsely verrucate surface. Some specimens have a tendency toward channeling and annular 

arrangement of fused clavae. This species differs from 

T. grandis and T. canalis by having coarser, more 

densely packed structural elements in the ektexine and 

by lacking visible small verrucae between the cog.rse 

clavae.

Discussion. The colpal margos of this species, like 

those of T. canalis and T. grandis, are made up of f u^ed 

clavae. The fusion is such that the margos are noticeably 

smoother than the margos of the previously described 

species. The mushroom shape of the clavae can be s<^en 

on the specimen on plate 5, figure 3. Two adjacent fu^ed 

clavae are shown on plate 5, figure 4.

Affinity. Possibly with the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. This species has been found only in the 

Catatumbo Formation of early Paleocene age in western 

Venezuela.

Other Terscissus species. During the examination of 

Venezuelan samples, several additional species were 

found. All of these are characterized by a reticulate 

sculpture. Sufficient specimens to adequately circumscribe these species were not available. Consequently, 

these species have not been given specific epithets. T1 3y 

are included here as records of additional members of 

the genus Terscissus.

Terscissus sp. 1 

Plate 6, figures 1, 2

Discussion. This species possesses such prominent 

and distinctive morphology that it cannot be confused 

with any other taxon. Only one complete specimen and 

one isolated segment were found. The complete specimen 

is rounded triangular to slightly trilobed in outline 

(polar view). Three colpi join at the poles to form a 

syncolpate grain. The colpi are bordered by margos, and 

the endexine is thickened adjacent to the colpi. This
F8 CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

thickening is shown on plate 6, figure 1, on the part of 

the grain from which the reticulate ektexine has been 

removed. The wall is 16/x,-19ju thick, including the sculpture. The endexine is 3/*-5/x, thick, except along the 

margins of the colpi where it is thicker. The ektexine is 

made up of pillars 3/x,-5/A in diameter and 6/x,-10/x, long 

that support a coarse reticulum made up of cylindrical 

elements 3/x,-4ju, in diameter. The reticulum in surface 

view is vermiculate; the endexine surface is granulate.

The specimen photographed (pi. 6, fig. 1) has had the 

reticulate tectum removed from part of the surface, thus 

clarifying the structure of the ektexine. The isolated 

segment (third) on plate 6, figure 2, shows clearly the 

irregular nature of the lacunae of the reticulum.

Affinity. Possibly with the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. This species has been found only in the 

Guasare Formation of Paleocene age of western 

Venezuela.

Terscissus sp. 2 

Plate 6, figures 3-0

Discussion. Two specimens (thirds) whose morphology appears very similar to that of T. sp. 1 were found. 

These specimens are distinctly smaller, and the elements 

of the reticulum are smaller, than those in T. sp. 1. A 

vermiculate irregular reticulum supported by comparatively robust pillars is present in this species also (pi. 6, 

fig. 4). This same specimen shows the torn inner thickening of the endexine along the colpi. It is postulated that 

this condition is approximated in T. sp. 1.

Affinity. Possibly with the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. These specimens are from the Upper 

Cretaceous Mito Juan Formation of western Venezuela.

Terscissus sp. 3 

Plate 6, figures 7-9

Discussion. Several specimens (thirds) of this 

species were found. The general morphology is similar 

to that of T. sp. 1 and T. sp. 2. This species is distinguished by a more regular reticulum and a reticulum 

whose lacunae are more numerous and smaller.

Affinity. Possibly with the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. These specimens are from the Upper 

Cretaceous Mito Juan Formation of western Venezuela.

Terscissus sp. 4 

Plate 7, figures 1, 2

Discussion. A single complete specimen was found. 

It is rounded triangular in polar view and has a dense 

reticulum of fairly heavy muri and smaller irregular 

lacunae. It has prominent thickened margos adjacent to 

the colpi. The colpi extend from pole to pole, forming a

syncolpate grain. The wall is about 8/* thick (16/x, thick 

along the colpi).

Affinity. Possibly with the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. This specimen is from the Catatumbo 

Formation of early Paleocene age of westerr Venezuela.

Genus TRISECTORIS n. gen.

Type species. Trisectoris costatus n. sp.

Diagnosis. Pollen grains spherical or nearly so; syncolpate or syiicolpoidate; divided into thr?« segments 

that commonly separate; complete grains rare; ektexine 

of prominent longitudinal costae; costae separated from 

endexine by prominent baculae.

Trisectoris costatus n. sp. 

Plate 7, figures 3-14

Holotype. D3001, slide 1, coordinates 83.3 X 7.6, plate 

7, figure 3.

Paratype. D3001, slide 3, coordinates 82.0X20.7, 

plate 7, figure 4.

Paratype. D1867, slide 1, coordinates 96.5X18.8, 

plate 7, figures 5. 6.

Parade. D1967-A, slide 2, coordinates 92.7X2.4, 

plate 7, figures 7, 8.

Paratype. D1864, slide 5, coordinates 76.4 X 4.5, plate 

7, figures 9,10.

Diagnosis. Syncolpate pollen grains with prominent 

longitudinal costae that extend from pole to pole.

Description. Pollen grains spherical or spheroidal 

and syncolpate. On the basis of 12 complete specimens 

and over 100 isolated thirds, the diameter has been determined to range from 32/x. to 49/x,. Dimensions of isolated 

thirds range from 21/x, to 28/* (polar) and 31/* to 37/* 

(lateral). After separation the thirds commonly contract in their polar axis, forming distinctly cupped segments. Longitudinal costae range in number from 7 

to 12 per segment. Costae adjacent to the colpi are continuous over the poles, thus forming a complete circle. 

Individual costae are 2/*-4/i wide equatorially, tapering 

toward the poles where they tend to fuse with adjacent 

costae. Costae are subtended on their inner face by ± 

two rows of prominent baculae. In equatorial view 

baculae are easily seen through the costae. Ektexine including baculae is 3/i-5/A thick, and baculae are as much 

as 2/n long. The endexine is very thin, about I/* thick, 

and membranous. The costae and attached baculae are 

easily separable from the endexine.

Discussion. Isolated thirds of Trisectoris costatus 

are shown on plate 7, figures 7-14. In figures 7 and 9, 

the supporting baculae are clearly shown. An enlarged 

view of a broken segment showing comblike "teeth" or 

baculae, which separate the costae from the endexine, is
TWO NEW POLLEN GENERA (LATE CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE) F9

seen in figures 12 and 13. The thin endexine and the 

continuous circular costa adjacent to the colpi are shown 

in figure 11. The tapering of the costae at the poles and 

their fusion at the extremities is displayed in figure 14.

Affinity. The marked tendency to split into thirds 

suggests the possibility of affinity to the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. Trisectoris costatus has been found in 

the Upper Cretaceous Coffee, McNairy, and Owl Creek 

Formations. A single specimen has been found just 

above the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in the Clayton 

Formation of Paleocene age.

Trisectoris stoveri n. sp. 

Plate 8, figure 1-6

Holotype. lWQ2-B, slide 2, coordinates 91.7x4.6, 

plate 8, figure 1.

Paratype. D1322, slide 1, coordinates 95.9X17.4 (2 

joined segments), plate 8, figure 2.

Paratype. D1322, slide 1, coordinates 101.1X14.3 

(one segment), plate 8, figure 3.

Diagnosis Syncolpate pollen grains with prominent 

longitudinal costae; many costae interrupted or do not 

extend from pole to pole.

Description,. Pollen grains spherical or nearly so. On 

the basis of five complete specimens and 25 isolated segments (thirds), the diameter is determined to range 

from 41/A to 57//.. Dimensions of isolated thirds range 

from 29/A to 52/* in polar dimension and 21/* to 51//, in 

equatorial dimension (average 40.8/* polar X 31.4/* equatorial) . The number of costae at the equator ranges from 

9 to 14. Some costae reach from pole to pole; others 

are interrupted. Costae are 2/^-5/x wide widest about 

midway of their length and tapering slightly to their 

blunt ends. Costae adjacent to the colpi are continuous 

over the poles, thus forming a complete circle. Costae are 

subtended on their inner faces by ± two rows of prominent baculae. Ektexine, including baculae, is 3/*-5/u, 

thick; baculae are as much as 2/* long. The endexine is 

lju,-2/* thick. This species differs from Trisectoris 

costatus by its slightly larger size and by the fact that 

many of the costae do not reach from pole to pole.

Discussion. The interrupted nature of many of the 

costae is demonstrated particularly well in plate 8, figures 2 and 3. Figure 6 of plate 8 pictures an isolated 

third, which shows that the costa adjacent to the colpi 

passes over the pole without interruption, thus forming 

a complete circular costa. This species is named for 

Lewis E. Stover (1964), who first reported it as pollen 

type A from the Magothy Formation of Maryland. He 

indicated (written commun., 1969) that in his material 

the diameter of complete grains reaches 78/A. This size is 

appreciably larger than that of specimens in my material from the same formation.

Affinity. The marked tendency to split into thirds 

suggests the possibility of affinity to the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. Trisectoris stoveri has been found in 

the lower, middle, and upper parts of the Magothy Formation of Late Cretaceous age. At present (1969), its 

range is limited to the Magothy.

Other Trisectoris species. Two additional species 

that clearly belong to the genus Trisectoris were found. 

Only a few specimens were found; these were corsidered too few to provide adequate species circumscriptions, and consequently these species have not been 

named. They are included as additional records of the 

genus Trisectoris.

Trisectoris sp. 1

Plate 8, figures 7-9

Discussion. No complete specimens were found, and 

only two isolated thirds serve to characterize this species. This species, with longitudinal costae and ± two 

rows of prominent baculae which separate the costae 

from the endexine, clearly belongs to the genus Trisectoris. It differs from all other species by having prominent reticulate margos adjacent to the colpi. Plate 8, 

figure 7, shows this feature particularly well. Plate 8, 

figures 8 and 9, show that some of the costae do not 

reach from pole to pole; this condition approximates 

that observed in Trisectoris stoveri. Plate 8, figure 9, is 

an isolated segment cupped in the polar axis. The reticulate ornamentation is seen only at the pole and along 

the margo to the left. The dimensions of isolated segments are about the same as those of Trisectoris stoveri. 

(See plate descriptions.)

Affinity. Possibly with the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. Only in the Amboy stoneware cla7, of 

Kummel and Knapp (1904) in the Magothy Formation 

of Late Cretaceous age.

Trisectoris sp. 2 

Plate 8, figures 10-13

Discussion. I did not find any complete specimens 

or a sufficient number of separate segments to justify 

formal naming of this species. The few specimens found 

in the uppermost Cretaceous sample of the Raton Formation from northern New Mexico have fewer, more 

robust costae and a slightly larger size range than T. 

costatus. T. sp. 2, on the basis of six separate "thirds," 

one "two-thirds," and about 20 broken fragments, is 

determined to have a size range of 26/* to 38/* (polar) and 

37/A to 41/t (equatorial). One of the segments has nine 

costae, one has seven and the remainder have eight. This 

species has the same general morphology as Trisectoris 

costatus and clearly belongs to the genus. A photograph 

of two-thirds of a complete specimen is shown on plate 8,
no CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

figure 10. One segment, which is contracted and cupped 

in the polar axis, is shown on plate 8, figure 11. The 

type and arrangement of supporting baculae are shown 

on plate 8, figures 12 and 13. This species differs from 

T. costatus by possessing fewer, wider, and thicker 

costae and by being slightly larger.

Affinity. Possibly with the Illiciaceae.

Occurrence. To date (1969), this species has been 

found only in the uppermost Cretaceous part of the 

Eaton Formation.

MORPHOLOGIC SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA ILLICWM, 

TERSCISSUS, AND TRISECTORIS

A summary of significant similarities and differences 

between the modern genus lUwiuwi and the fossil 

genera Terscissus and Trisectoris can be expressed best 

in tabular form (table 1).

The presence of a median linear thickening of the 

colpal membrane is a morphologic character confined 

to species of the genus Illicium. The comparatively 

large size of species in the genus Terscissus (greater 

than 66//,) serves to differentiate this genus from ITLicium and Trisectoris; and the presence of prominent 

longitudinal costae with supporting baculae serves to 

separate the genus Trisectoris from the other two 

genera.

TABLE 1. Comparison of some morphologic features of the genera 

Illicium, Terscissus, and Trisectoris

Selected morphologic features Itticium Terscissus Trisectoris

Tricolpate pollen form. ----------- Some species.. _. No species._--_- No species.

Syncolpate or syncolpoidate pol- -_-_.do.___..-- All species_.___- All species.

len form. 

Splitting readily into segments -._do___.-..--__do 1_.-.__-_ Do.

(thirds). 

Reticulate sculpture. ---------- All species-._-_. Some species.... No species.2

Longitudinal costae_________--_ No species, __--. No species -_-__- All species.

Median linear thickening of col- All species..-......- .do__ ------ No species.

pal membrane. 

Prominent colpal marges...------ Some species..._ All species -.-__- All species.

Diameter (range, in microns).---- 20-35.---------.- 66-185.......... 32-57.*

1 Except Terscissus sp. 1.

2 Trisectoris sp. 1 does not possess a reticulate surface sculpture but has a reticulate 

fringe on the colpal marges.

3 Minimum diameter of "thirds" of Terscissus sp. 2. Complete specimens of this 

species not found.

* Trisectoris stoveri reported as having a diameter as much as 78/« by L. E. Stover 

(written commun., 1969).

OTHER POSSIBLY RELATED GENERA

Many fossil pollen species possess morphological similarities to some species of Illicium; in particular, tricolpate reticulate species and "pseudosyncolpate" 

reticulate species show this similarity, because Illicium 

species are either tricolpate or Syncolpate, and they

have the reticulate surface sculpture. However, modern 

tricolpate reticulate pollen is known from several other 

families such as the Ranunculaceae, Cruciferae, and 

Haloragaceae. Most reticulate syncolpate and reticulate 

tricolpate fossil species cannot at present be referred 

with any degree of confidence to any of these extant 

families; consequently, they are placed provisionally 

in a form genus. The form genus erected by Elsik (in 

Stover and others, 1966) for pseudosyncolpate reticulate forms is Myocolpopollenites. Elsik's species M. 

reticulatus was found in Mississippi embayment rocks.

MYOCOLPOPOLLENITES

Myocolpopollenites reticulatus Elsik, !£"<?

Plate 9, figures 1-6

Discussion. This genus and species of pollen is 

described in part as follows: "Marginate sexinous material extends past ends of colpi to poles where they join 

to form pseudosyncolpate triradiate crests" (Elsik, in 

Stover and others, 1966, p. 4). This species is included 

here for comparison with the species of Terscissus and 

Trisectoris, because Myocolpopollenites reticulatus is 

also found as isolated thirds. Separation occurs along 

the colpi often enough that individual segments are 

common in our material. Interference contrast photographs of an equatorial view (pi. 9, figs. 3, 4) show the 

character of the reticulum and the polar crests. An isolated segment (third) is shown on plate 9, figures 5 

and 6.

Affinity. Elsik states that the affinity of this taxon 

is unknown. That this taxon has affinity with the Illiciaceae is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Occurrence. Lower Eocene (Elsik, in Stover and 

others, 1966). Wilcox Group, lower Eocene, USGS 

sample localities D1846, D3574-B.

TRICOLPITES

Tricolpate reticulate species are commonly placed in 

the form genus Tricolpites. Three Tricolpites species 

are briefly discussed below:

Tricolpites sp. 1 

Plate 9, figures 7-9

Discussion. The colpi extend nearly to the poles and 

are bordered by very prominent margos. Some specimens occur as separated or isolated fragmerts, as shown 

on plate 9, figure 9. This feature is shared by the genera 

Illicium, Terscissus, and T-risectoris.

Occurrence. This tricolpate species was found in the 

Eocene of Venezuela.
TWO NEW POLLEN GENERA (LATE CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE)

Tricolpites sp. 2 

Plate 9, figures 10,11 and 14

Discussion. This tricolpate reticulate species is 

slightly trilobed. The colpi extend almost to the poles 

and are bordered by fairly prominent margos. Figure 

14, plate 9, shows the development of heavy margos to 

the extent that this specimen may represent a different 

species from that shown in figures 10 and 11. Sufficient 

specimens to clarify this possibility were unavailable.

Occuwence. McNairy Sand.

Tricolpites sp. 3 

Plate 9, figures 12,13

Discussion. This tricolpate reticulate species is 

almost spherical but is smaller than the other pictured 

species of Tricolpites. It has colpi bordered by distinct 

margos. The colpi extend almost to the poles. The 

lacunae are distinctly larger than those seen in the other 

figured species of Tricolpites.

Occurrence. McNairy Sand.

These few examples are included here merely to 

demonstrate some of the morphological variations 

found in fossil tricolpate and pseudosyncolpate pollen 

grains. Some of these morphological types may be 

related to the Illiciaceae, others probably have no relationship whatsoever. The genus Tricolpites undoubtedly accommodates species from several distinct 

families.

If the hypothesis of affinity of the genera Terscissus, 

Trisectoris, and possibly Myocolpopollenites to the 

Illiciaceae proves valid, then it will be evident from the 

number of new species belonging to these genera that 

have been found that this segment of the Ranales was 

undergoing rapid evolution in Late Cretaceous and early 

Paleocene time. It may be true, with the advent of a 

reticulate surface sculpture, as seen in Terscissus species 

1^4, that this character became fixed, and that the modern species of Illicium descended from this ancestral 

stock. Perhaps the nonreticulate genera and species, 

such as Terscissus grandis and Trisectoris, possessed 

fewer characteristics of survival value and thus became 

extinct.

STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENERA 

TERSCISSUS AND TRISECTORIS

The species of Terscissus and Trisectoris mentioned 

in this report are all limited to the Late Cretaceous and 

Paleocene. The recognition of so many species of these 

hitherto unknown fossils does not necessarily mean that 

they have not been seen. Indeed, Stover (1964) figured 

a species of Trisectoris but did not give it a name. The 

lack of published palynological work, particularly from 

the Mississippi embayment area and from Venezuela,

may partly explain this lack of reporting. Further, the 

fact that most specimens occur as isolated thirds delayed 

my recognition of them as pollen grains and may have 

deterred others from describing them.

The speciation demonstrated in the Late Cretaceous 

and early Tertiary certainly suggests that these genera 

originated in the Cretaceous and were eliminated from 

the floras or were evolutionary modified by Eocene 

time. In Venezuela, literally thousands of samples from 

Eocene and Oligocene rocks have been examined, and 

none of these genera were seen. In the Mississippi embayment, hundreds of post-Paleocene samples have 

failed to yield any members of these genera. These facts 

are particularly striking in relation to the genus Terscis8U8. Species belonging to this genus are extremely lar^e 

for pollen grains and are not easily overlooked. Even 

species evolutionarily reduced to the size of modern 

Illiciimi, because of their distinctive morphology, would 

not be disregarded. Specimens of some of these genera, 

in limited parts of the section, are sufficiently numerous 

to indicate that their parent plants were significant elements of the fossil floras. The modern genus Illicium. a 

member of a primitive order of angiosperms, may have 

been derived from genera similar to the ones described 

here. Although species of the genus Illicium are now 

living in the southern part of the United States, they are 

not numerous elements of the floras of the region. TS 

presence of modern Illiciwn in the area of the MissV 

sippi embayment suggests that the genus should be 

represented by fossil pollen in the same area. The fact 

that modern Illicium pollen has not been definitely 

recognized suggests that the plants were too few in 

number to produce sufficient pollen so that it would be 

likely to be found as fossils. The presence of a few 

plants in a region does not insure that these plants will 

produce enough pollen to provide a fossil record. It may 

be that after Paleocene time, the plants that produced 

pollen with an Illicium-, Terscissus-, or Trisectoris-like 

morphology were so reduced in number that they did 

not leave an as-yet-recognized fossil record. This record 

may eventually be found in species placed in the genus 

Tricolpites.

THE GENUS TERSCISSUS

Known ranges of species of Terscissus and Trisectoris 

are shown in figure 2. Terscissus grandis ranges from 

the upper part of the Upper Cretaceous McNairy San-i, 

through the Owl Creek Formation, and into the Paleocene Clayton Formation. A slight variant, which cannot 

always be distinguished, may be limited to the O^l 

Creek Formation. A morphologically somewhat similar 

species Terscissus canalis has so far (1969) been fourd 

only in the uppermost Cretaceous Mito Juan Formation 

of western Venezuela.
F12 CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

AGE

Eocene

Paleocene

Maestrichtian

Campanian

Santonian

7

SOUTHERN TENNESSEE 

AND WESTERN KENTUCKY 

(Modified from Sohl, 1960)

OS

s ^co

so C

Clayton 

Formation

|JPP^^

JJJ-1"^ \^-^

tp Owl Creek

McNairy Sand 

Member w 

Ripley Formation 'E 

in Tennessee -£ 

McNairy Sand |> 

in Kentucky 'r

E-H

^ Clay of Selma Group 

Coffee Sane) ' z^__^

f

11

«KJ

t _

MARYLAND AND 

NEW JERSEY

(J.A. Wolfe written commun., 1967)

Trisecturis storeri 

Trisectoris 1sp. 

Beds at Cliffwood

^ c

£ £ 

Beds at Morgan "o ro M r 

ro £

Amboy LLstoneware 

, clay

NORTHERN NEW MEXICO 

(Brown, 1962; this report)

CM

d

 2

C

| Raton 

 £ Formation

1

WESTERN VENEZUELA 

(Kuyl and others, 1955)

d

1 *. C d

?5 U)

^ Oi

?> Guasare 

^ Formation

Catatumbo 

Formation

S MitoJuan

^ Formation

. w

os fS) ro

~ " 

c ^

S d 

o a

U)

% Go

FIGUBE 2. Stratigraphic ranges of species of the genera Tersdssus and Trisectoris.
TWO NEW POLLEN GENERA (LATE CRETACEOUS AND PALEOCENE) F13

A third species of Terscissus, T. crassus, is limited to 

the lower Paleocene Catatumbo Formation of western 

Venezuela. Morphologically, it is similar and probably 

closely related to the two previous species.

Several distinctly different species of Terscissus with 

reticulate surface sculpture were found in the Upper 

Cretaceous and lower Paleocene of Venezuela. A large 

species, Terscissus sp. 1, is confined to the Guasare 

Formation of Paleocene age. Another large reticulate 

species, Terscissus sp. 4, was found in the lower Paleocene Catatumbo Formation. Smaller reticulate species, 

Terscissus sp. 2 and Terscissus sp. 3, are limited to the 

Upper Cretaceous Mito Juan Formation of western 

Venezuela. These unnamed species particularly, owing 

to the fact that few specimens were recovered, may 

in the future be found to have slightly greater 

stratigraphic ranges.

THE GENUS TRISECTORIS

The geographic distribution of this genus, so far as 

known, is confined to rocks from the United States. 

Specimens of the type species Trisectoris costatus have 

been found in the Coffee Sand, the McNairy Sand, and 

the Owl Creek Formation, all of Late Cretaceous age, 

and in the Clayton Formation of Paleocene age. These 

formations are in the northern part of the Mississippi 

embayment area. The range extends from upper Campanian, through the Maestrichtian, and into the lower 

Paleocene. A very similar but distinct species, Trisectoris stoveri, is represented in the Magothy Formation 

of Santonian and basal Campanian age. No specimens 

of this genus have been found in rocks from the Santonian and lower Campanian of the Mississippi embayment, but then, comparatively few samples have as yet 

been examined from this interval.

Trisectoris sp. 1, differing from Trisectoris stoveri by 

possessing reticulate margos along the colpi, is found 

at present only in the Amboy stoneware clay of Kiimmel and Knapp (1904), the basal clay of the Magothy 

Formation.

Another species, Trisectoris sp. 2, is present in the 

uppermost Cretaceous part of the Baton Formation of 

northern New Mexico. Brown (1962) placed at least 

the lower 50 feet of the Baton Formation in the Cretaceous, on the basis of finding the Upper Cretaceous 

plant Paleoaster inquirenda Knowlton at this level. 

More recent palynological work on a core which penetrated the Baton Formation in northern New Mexico 

reveals that the lower 265 feet of the Baton Formation 

is Cretaceous and that the remainder is Paleocene.

Trisectoris sp. 2 is not present in the Paleocene part of 

the Baton Formation. Further work in this area may 

extend the range and provide enough additional 

specimens to permit description and naming of this 

species.

REFERENCES CITED

Andersen, H. V., 1960, Geology of Sabine Parish: Louisiana 

Geol. Survey Geol. Bull. 34,164 p.

Brown, B. W., 1962, Paleocene flora of the Rocky Mounting 

and Great Plains: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 375,119 p.

Erdtman, Gunnar, 1943, An introduction to pollen analTTsis: 

Waltham, Mass., Chroniea Botanica Co., 239 p., reprinted 

1954.

 1952, Angiosperms, in An introduction to palynology, 

v. 1 of Pollen morphology and plant taxonomy: Uppsala, 

Sweden, Almqvist and Wiksell, 539 p.

Funkhouser, J. W., and Evitt, W. B., 2d, 1959, Preparation 

techniques for acid-insoluble microfossils: Micropaleontology, v. 5, no. 3, p. 369-379.

Kiimmel, H. B., and Knapp, G. N., 1904, The stratigraphy cf the 

New Jersey clays: New Jersey Geol. Soc. Final Bept. 6, 

p. 117-209.

Kuyl, O. S., Muller, J., and Waterbolk, H. Th., 1955, The f plication of palynology to oil geology with reference to western 

Venezuela: Geologie en Mijnbouw, no. 3, new ser., r. 17, 

p. 49-76.

Pokrovskaia, I. M., 1950, Analyse pollinique: Bur. Reche-ches 

Geol., Geophys., et Minieres, Service d'lnformation Geol., 

Annales, no. 24, 435 p.

Smith, A. C., 1947, The families Illiciaceae and Schizandraceae, 

No. 7 of Sargentia: Jamaica Plain, Mass., Arnold Arboretum, 224 p.

Sohl, N. F., 1960, Archeogastropoda, Mesogastropoda and s*ratigraphy of the Bipley, Owl Creek, and Prairie Bluff Formations [Tennessee-Mississippi]: U.S. Geol. 'Survey Prof. 

Paper 331-A, 151 p. [1961].

Stebbins, G. L., 1950, Variation and evolution in plants: New 

York, Columbia Univ. Press, Biol. Ser. 16, 643 p.

Stover, L. E., 1964, Comparison of three Cretaceous spore-pollen 

assemblages from Maryland and England, in Palynolc^ry in 

oil exploration A symposium: Soc. Econ. Paleontologists 

and Mineralogists Spec. Pub. 11, p. 143-152.

Stover, L. E., Elsik, W. C., and Fairchild, W. W., 1966, New 

genera and species of early Tertiary palynomorphs from 

Gulf Coast: Kansas Univ. Paleont. Contributions Paper 5, 

p. 1-10.

Tschudy, B. H., 1966, Associated megaspores and micros pores 

of the Cretaceous genus Arfodnaesporites Potonig, 1956, 

emend., in Geological Survey research 1966:: U.S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper 550-D, p. D76-D82.

Wodehouse, B. P., 1935, Pollen grains, their structure, iientification, and significance in science and medicine [1st ed.] : 

New York and London, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 574 p.

366-862 O 70-

PLATES 1-9
PLATE 1

[All figures X 1,000]

FIGURES 1-4. Itticium floridanum.

1. P2855, slide 1, coordinates 85.4 X 9.4, diameter 30j*. Beginning of equatorial splitting.

2. P2855, slide 1, coordinates 81.6 X 20.7, diameter 31j*. Beginning of polar splitting, high focus.

3. P2855, slide 1. Same specimen as fig. 2, low focus.

4. P2855, slide 2, coordinates 93.4 X 12.6. Separate segments, polar view. 

5-8. Illicium henryi var. typicum.

5. P2857, slide 1, coordinates 95.9 X 14.5, diameter 31|*.

6. P2857, slide 1, coordinates 93.6 X 6.3, diameter 32|*.

7. P2857, slide 1, coordinates 82.7 X 20.1, diameter 33|*. One segment disattached at one pole.

8. P2857, slide 1, coordinates 87.4 X 20.0, diameter 30j*. One segment completely disattached. 

9-12. Illicium simonsii.

9. P2856, slide 1, coordinates 92.7 X 7.6, diameter 36j*- Polar view of spherical grain.

10. P2856, slide 1, coordinates 84.3 X 14.2, flattened grain, diameter 40|*. Note partially detached irsdian linear 

thickening of furrow membrane.

11. P2856, slide 3, coordinates 98.5 X 8.5, partially flattened grain, diameter 40j*. Note gradation in size of reticulum from pole to equator.

12. P2856, slide 1, coordinates 92.3 X 14.5, polar diameter 34j*. Note large size of equatorial lacunae. 

13-17. Illicium anisatum.

13. P3382, slide 3, coordinates 80.3 X 10.0, diameter 33ja, high focus.

14. Same specimen as fig. 13, low focus. Note median linear thickenings of furrow membrane.

15. P3382, slide 5, coordinates 102.1 X 17.8, segments detached at one pole.

16. P3382, slide 3, coordinates 82.0 X 10.2, isolated segment in polar view.

17. P3382. slide 5. coordinates 111.5 X 14.4 isolated segment, equatorial view.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 1

MODERN ILLICIUM SPECIES
PLATE 2

[All figures X BOO]

FIGURES 1-4. Terscissus grandis n. gen. and sp.

1. Holotype, TJSGS paleobotany loc. D3546-C, slide 5, coordinates 98.0 X 11.5, 176ju X 182/*.

2. Same specimen as fig. 1 but focussed on the margin to show detail of the baculae and thickening of endexine at 

colpi.

3. Paratype, TJSGS paleobotany loc. D3546-C, slide 5, coordinates 88.3 X 21.3, 163/* X 167/*.

4. Paratype, TJSGS paleobotany loc. D1867, slide 8, coordinates 91.3 X 18.3, 145ju X 168ju. The colpi can be seen 

extending completely around this specimen, dividing the spheroid into three segments.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 2

TERSCISSUS GRANDIS HOLOTYPE AND PARATYPES
PLATE 3

[Figures 1 and 6 X 1,000; all others X 600]

FIGURES 1-6. Terscissus grandis n. gen. and sp.

1. Segment'of holotype photographed using interference contrast. Surface relief and verrucae between the larger 

surface elements are shown.

2. Isolated segment, USGS paleobotany loc. D1867, slide 8, coordinates 101.4 X 6.4, 114^ X 88/*.

3. Isolated segment, USGS paleobotany loc. D1867, slide 8, coordinates 113.2 X 23.4, 117M X 90/x.

4. Isolated segment, USGS paleobotany loc. D3410-C, slide zeta, coordinates 79.2 X 18.0, 122j» X 90**. Specimen 

from Owl Creek Formation showing slight tendency to form more than one channel parallel to the colpi.

5. Isolated segment, USGS paleobotany loc. D3410-C, slide gamma, coordinates 109.4 X 3.5, 122^ X 109*1- 

Specimen from Owl Creek Formation showing somewhat larger fused baculae and tendency to form additional 

incomplete channel.

6. Fragment of colpus margo, USGS paleobotany loc. D1867, slide 7, coordinates 104.7 X 10.5, thickness 12jt-18MThe upper end of the fragment shows the large baculae fused at the tips that form the margo. The fringelike 

material to the right is the torn endexine which is thicker at the margins of the colpi.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 3

TERSCISSUS GRANDIS ISOLATED SEGMENTS
PLATE 4

[Figures 1, 2,3,4 and 6 X 600; figure 6 X 1,000]

FIGURES 1-6. Terscissus canalis.

1. Holotype, RT-178V, slide alpha, coordinates 106.3 X 7.9, 140/* X 184/*. This is the only complete specimen.

2. Paratype, RT-178V, slide alpha, coordinates 95.0 X 13.0, 134/* X 104/*. Margo at lower left missing. Note 

round tipped clavae at apex.

3. Paratype, RT-178V, slide alpha, coordinates 107.0 X 19.4, 121/* X 93/*. Entire margo missing.

4. Paratype, RT-178V, slide beta, coordinates 97.2 X 15.1, segment, 101/* X 146/*.

5. Same specimen as fig. 4, photographed with interference contrast to show surface texture.

6. Fragment of colpus margo, TS-230, slide 6, coordinates 94.8 X 7.7. Cross section of wall showing fused clavae. 

Wall about 17/* thick; endexine about 5ft thick; ektexine, including clavae, about 12/x thick.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 4

TERSCISSUS CANALIS HOLOTYPE AND PARATYPES
PLATES

[All figures X 600]

FIGURES 1-6. Terscissus crassus.

1. Holotype, RT-179V, slide 6, coordinates 90.0 X 16.9, 106/* X 186ft. The holotype shows the remnants of the 

three sectors, even though torn and incomplete.

2. Paratype, RT-179V, slide 8, coordinates 94.8 X 13.7, 98/* X 140/*.

3. Paratype, RT-179V, slide 10, coordinates 105.2 X 19.3, Win X. 150/*. The narrow mushroom shape of the individual clavae is seen in the central part of the upper margin of the photograph.

4. Paratype, RT-179V, slide 10, coordinates 88.4 X 9.4, 127/i X 135/*. Note fusion at tips of two coarse clavae 

at right margin of photograph,

5. Paratype, RT-179V, slide 9 f single grain preparation), coordinates 105.0 X 12.0, 96/* X 138/*- This specimen and 

the specimen shown on fig. 3 demonstrate the tendency of some grains to form channels parallel to the colpi.

6. RT-179V, slide 6, coordinates 102.3 X 11.4, 129/* X 137/*. This segment is flattened and viewed from inside.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 5

TERSCISSUS CRASSUS HOLOTYPE AND PARATYPES
PLATE 6

{All figures X 600]

FIGUEES 1, 2. Terscissus sp. 1.

1. RT-180V, slide 1, coordinates 100.5 X 9.0, 180/i X 184/i. This is the only complete specimen of this species 

that was found. Note the pillarlike baculae supporting the reticulum (on left) and remnants of pillars on surface from which reticulum has been removed.

2. RT-180V, slide 2, coordinates 86.0 X 17.6, Win X 135/i. The nature of the reticulum is well shown on this isolated segment. 

3-6. Terscissus sp. 2.

3. TS-230, slide 11, coordinates 108.0 X 11.7, 77n X 98/i- Equatorial view of a segment showing coarse reticulum.

4. Same specimen as fig. 3. View of segment from the inside. Colpus margo with pillarlike baculae supporting 

reticulum is shown.

5. TS-230, slide 12, coordinates 111.2 X 12.8, 59/i X 104/i. Segment showing coarse reticulum, low focus.

6. Same specimen as fig. 5, high focus. 

7-9. Terscissus sp. 3.

7. TS-200, slide 1, coordinates 109.9 X 22.9, 66/i X 74/i. Cupped segment with fine reticulum.

8. TS-200, slide 4, coordinates 113.5 X 8.3, 68/i X 76/i. Lateral view of segment with fine reticulum, low focus.

9. Same specimen as fig. 8, high focus.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 6

RETICULATE SPECIES OF TERSCISSUS
PLATE 7

[Figures 1, 2 X 500; figures 3-11 and 14 X 1,000; figures 12 and 13 X 1,500]

FIGURES 1, 2. Terscissus sp. 4.

1. RT-179V, slide 13 (single grain preparation), coordinates 101.5 X 10.8, 163ju X 166ju.

2. Same specimen as fig. 1, taken with a red Wratten E-22 filter. 

3-14. Trisectoris costatus n. gen. and sp.

3. Holotype, USGS paleobotany loc. D3001, slide 1, coordinates 83.3 X 7.6, 37ju X 39p.

4. Paratype, USGS paleobotany loc. D3001, slide 3, coordinates 82.0 X 20.7, 31M X 34M.

5. Paratype, USGS paleobotany loc. D1867, slide 1, coordinates 96.5 X 18.8, 39^ X 41/t, high focus.

6. Same specimen as fig. 5, low focus.

7. Paratype, USGS paleobotany loc. D1967-A, slide 2, coordinates 92.7 X 2.4, 29ju X 33p, isolated segment (1/3), 

high focus.

8. Paratype, same specimen as fig. 7, low focus.

9. Paratype, USGS paleobotany loc. D1864, slide 5, coordinates 76.4 X 4.5, 27> X 28ju, isolated segment (1/3), 

high focus.

10. Same specimen as fig. 9, median focus.

11. USGS paleobotany loc. D3001, slide 3, coordinates 74.1 X 20.6, 25^ X 31ju. Segment showing circular rim 

adjacent to colpi and thin (torn) endexine.

12. USGS paleobotany loc. D3001, slide 1, coordinates 83.1 X 9.9, 33ju long. Broken segment showing baculae 

between endexine and costae, low focus.

13. Same specimen as fig. 12 showing projecting baculae below the costae.

14. USGS paleobotany loc. D3001, slide 1, coordinates 101.7 X 5.3, 20ju X 29M. Segment (1/3) cupped in polar 

axis showing tapering of costae at the pole.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 7

TERSCISSUS SPECIES 4 AND TRISECTORIS COSTATUS HOLOTYPE AND PARATYPES
PLATES

[All figures X 1,000]

FIGURES 1-6. Trisectoris stoveri.

1. Holotype, USGS paleobotany loc. 11062-B, slide 2, coordinates 91.7 X 4.6, 46/* X 49/*.

2. Paratype, USGS paleobotany loc. D1322, slide 1, coordinates 95.9 X 17.4,41^ X 47/*. Two joined segments (2/3).

3. Paratype, USGS paleobotany loc. D1322, slide 1, coordinates 101.1 X 14.3, 37n X 41/*. One segment (1/3).In figs. 

2 and 3 interrupted costae are seen.

4. USGS paleobotany loc. D1322, slide 3, coordinates 86.8 X 19.4, 33/* X 49/*, high focus.

5. Same specimen as fig. 4. Low focus showing annular ridge or costae adjacent to position of colpi.

6. USGS paleobotany loc. 11057, slide 2, coordinates 104.6 X 14.7, 29/* X 33/*. 

7-9. Trisectoris sp. 1.

7. USGS paleobotany loc. 11056, slide 1, coordinates 85.2 X 17.1, 35/* X 44/j. Low focus of one segment (1/3). 

A species similar to T. stoveri but possessing a reticulate fringe along the colpi margins.

8. Same specimen as fig. 7, showing an interrupted costa and surface view of baculae.

9. USGS paleobotany loc. 11056, slide 1, coordinates 79.9 X 5.9, 31/* X 33/i. One segment cupped in polar axis.

Reticulate fringe on this specimen not nearly so prominent as that seen on fig. 7. 

10-13. Trisectoris sp. 2.

10. USGS paleobotany loc. D3910-C, slide 4, coordinates 79.9 X 8.5, 28^ X 52/*. Two segments (2/3).

11. USGS paleobotany loc. D3910-C, slide 1, coordinates 79.1 X 20.8, 33/* X 34/*. One segment cupped in the polar 

axis.

12. USGS paleobotany loc. D3910-C, slide 4, coordinates 110.0 X 4.7, 33/* X 37/*. Broken segment showing baculae 

below coarse costae.

13. USGS paleobotany loc. D3910-C, slide 1, coordinates 78.2 X 3.6, 28/* X 41/*. Distorted segment (1/3) showing 

annular costa adjacent to colpi and baculae suspended from costae.
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 8

TRISECTORIS STOVERI HOLOTYPE AND PARATYPES AND OTHER SPECIES OF TRISECTORIS
PLATE 9

[All figures X 1,000]

FIGURES 1-6. Myocolpopollenites reticulatus Elsik.

1. USGS paleobotany loc. D1846, slide 9, coordinates 80.7 X 20.7, 54/u X 44ju, equatorial view.

2. USGS paleobotany loc. D1846, slide 6, coordinates 91.4 X 6.7, diameter 49ju, polar view.

3. USGS paleobotany loc. D1846, slide 10, coordinates 86.6 X 18.8, 39ju X 49ju. Photographed with interference 

contrast to show reticulum relief.

4. USGS paleobotany loc. D3574-B, slide 2, coordinates 90.4 X 7.1, 43^ X 41jx. Interference contrast showing 

reticulum and margin of colpus.

5. USGS paleobotany loc. D1846, slide 11, coordinates 93.7 X 17.7, 34ju X 38^. Segment (1/3), equatorial view.

6. Same specimen as fig. 5. View from inside showing thickness of wall including reticulum. 

7-9. Tricolpites sp. 1.

7. Z-390V slide, coordinates 92.0 X 16.8, 32? X 33^.

8. Z-390V slide, coordinates 98.5 X 8.7, 43/u X 27». Two joined segments (2/3).

9. Z-390V slide, coordinates 95.8 X 1.5, My. X 20^. Isolated segment (1/3). 

10, 11, 14. Tricolpites sp. 2.

10. USGS paleobotany loc. D3000, slide T4, coordinates 86.2 X 8.2, 43>x X 46^.

11. USGS paleobotany loc. D3000, slide T2, coordinates 91.1 X 12.2, 39/u X 41*x. Showing open colpi and margos. 

14. USGS paleobotany loc. D3000, slide T5, coordinates 106.9 X 16.3, 36/u X 41/u. Note heavy margos. 

12, 13. Tricolpites sp. 3.

12. USGS paleobotany loc. D3000, slide T2, coordinates 94.6 X 11.9, diameter 26^.

13. Same specimen as fig. 12.

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1970 O - 366-862
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 643-F PLATE 9

MP 7#*

MYOCOLPOPOLLENITES AND TRICOLPITES