10th Congress, 2d Sesston • • • • • House l)ocUittent No. 431 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

REVISION OF THE 

LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF 

THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES 

CHIEFLY FROM TENNESSEE 

AND KENTUCKY 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 
70th Congress, 2d Session 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Ray Lyman Wilbur, Secretary 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

George Otis Smith, Director 

Professional Paper 156 

HOURC Document No. 431 

REVISION OF THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA 

OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

""1TH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES, CHIEFLY FROM 

TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY 

BY 

EDWARD WILBER BERRY 

UNITED STATES 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

WASHINGTON: 1980 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. 

lB~lREAU Of MiNES UBRARY 

n~)NVER 

6-332 

(February 1939) 

Class ____ _ 

Book ____ _ GPO 16-50254-1 

CHARLES W. HENDERSON 

MEMORIAL COLLECTION 

---------------~ 

Price 75 cents 
CONTENTS 

Puga Introduction ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ~ _ __ _ 1 

Geologic history _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 

General featu l'es _____________________________________________________________ .. ________________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 

Clay conglomerates _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 

Plant localities illustmting geologic history_____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ 3 

Locality at Meridian, Miss______ _ _ _ _____ ___ _______________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 

J.Jocality at Taylor farm, on Silerton road, Chester County, TemL___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 

Section in big cut at Pine Top, Hardeman County, Tenn__________________________________________________ 4 

Outcrop north of Somerville, Fayette County, TemL_____________________________________________________ 5 

Henry County, Tenn ________________________________________ .. _______________________________________ 7 

Cole pit, Henry County, Tenn _______________________________________________________________________ ._ _ S 

The Wilcox formations of southwestern Texas_____ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 9 

Section near mouth of Concillas Creek, Webb County, Tex________________________________________________ 10 

Lower Eocene ftoras___________________________________________________________________________________________ 11 

The origin of angiosperms_ _ __ __ ____ _ _ ________ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 11 

Eady Eocene plants in Texas_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 11 

Relations of the Wilcox and Ripley floras___________________________________________________________________ 12 

Modernization of Eocene floras ___________________________ - - - - - ______ - - - - _______ - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ 13 

The flom of the Wilcox group_ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 14 

Sources _________________________________ .. _______________________________________________________________ 14 

Present composition of the Wilcox flom ___________________ - - _ - _______ - __________ - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 16 

Relati ve abundance of Wilcox species ___________________________ ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 17 

Wide-mnging Wilcox species _____________________________ - - - ________ -- _________________________ -'_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 19 

Wilcox species found at but a single locality ____ - --- - - - - -- - - - - - - -- -- - - - - ---- - - - - - - - - - - - - ____ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ 20 

Ii'lom of the Ackerman formatiolL _________________________ - - ________ -- _ _ _____ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 21 

Flom of the Holly Springs sand __________________________ - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 21 

Flora of the Grenada formatioIL ____ - _________ - - - - - - _ - ___ - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - __ - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 23 

The Wilcox flora as developed on the eastern apd western shores of the Gulf embayment __ - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 25 

Environmental conditions _________________________ - - - _______ - - - _ - ______ - - - - _______ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 29 

Correlation _______________________________ .:. _____ -- _ - _______ ---- - - - ____ - - - - _ - _____ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 29 

The problem of the Eocene climates ________________ - _ - _ - ___ - _ - - - - - - - _ - __ - - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 33 

Localities____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 40 

The completo 'Y ilcox flora ___________________ .. ____ - - - - ___ ., __ - - - - - - _____ -- - _ - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 41 

Systematic descJ'iptions_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 47. 

Index ______________________________ . _____________ ~ ________________________ :_________________________________ 191 

ILL USTRATIONS 

Page 

PI,A'l'In 1. A, Chl.Y conglomemte just en,st of Hatchee River, Bolivar-Hornsby road, Hardeman Cou'nty, Tenn.; B, Courses 

of clay in the Holly Springs sand at the Monroe pit, Henry County, Tenn________________________________ 4 

2. A, Lower part of big cut at Pine Top, in northeastern Hardeman County, Tenn.; B, Upper plant horizon near the top of the exposure shown in A_____________________________________________________ _____________ 4 

3. A, Foreset beds beneath hardpan overlain by horizontally bedded plant-bearing clay of the Grenada formation at 

locality north of Loosahatchie River and 1 mile north of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn.; B, Unconformity 

within the Wilcox at the plant locality nea'r the mouth of Concillas Creek, Webb County, Tex______________ 4 

4. A, Heavily bedded plastic clay near the top olthe Holly Springs sand at the Foundry Church pit, Henry County, 

Tenn.; B, Great thickness of heavily bedded plastic clay at the Cole pit, Henry County, Tenn______________ 4 

5. A, 'Wakulla Springs, Fla., illustrating the probable appearance of a Wilcox fresh-water lagoon; B, Sawfish Bay, 

Jupiter, Fla., illustrating the probable appearance of a Wilcox brackish-water lagoon_______________________ 4 

6. A, Nelumbo l'lttea along the margin of Reelfoot Lake, Tenn., illustrating the ecology of the Wilcox pond at Meridian, 

Miss,; B, Wakulla River, Fla" illustrating the probable appearance of a Wilcox bayou_____________________ 4 

7-50. Fossil plants of the Wilcox group __________________________________ ..: _________________________________ 145-189 

FIOUUN 1. Diagrammatic section of the north end of the east side of the big cut on the Gulf, Mobile & Northern Railroad, near Pine Top, Hfi1~deman County, Te111L __________________________________________________________ _ 

2. Din,gnumnatic sketch of the relations at the fossiliferous locality 1 mile north of Somerville, Fayette County, 

Toon___________________________________________________________________________________________ 6 

3. Din,gntlll of section a quarter of a mile above the mouth of Concillas Creek, Webb County, Tex______________ 10 

4. Map of the Southeastern States showing normal annual precipitatioll_____________________________________ 36 

m 
IV ILL USTHATIONS 

Page 

FIGUHE 5. Ma.p of the Southeastern States showing relation of precipitation to evaporation _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 36 

6. Map of the Southeastern States showing normal mean annual humidity _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 37 

7. Map of the Southeastern States showing southern limits of freezing and zero temperatures___________________ 38 

8. Fragment of Meniphylloides tennesseensis Berry, showing venation and glandular secretion___________________ 49 

9. Restoration of fan palm to show appearance of Sabalites grayanus (Lesquereux) Berry _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 58 

10. ;Restoration of Engelhardtia _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 61 

11. Restoration of Banksia tenuifolia Berry _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 67 

12. Restoration of Pisonia_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 68 

13. Restoration of Chrysobalanus _________________________________________ ________ ~______________________ 73 

14. Restoration of Inga__________________________________________________ _______________________________ 76 

15. Restoration of Parkinsonia_ _ ___________ __ ______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ ____ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ 77 

16. Restoration of a complete leaf of Caesalpinia wilcoxiana Berry___________________________________________ 79 

17. Restoration of a complete leaf of Cassiafayettensis Berl'y________________________________________________ 80 

18. Restoration of Gleditsiophyllum eoceniwm Berry _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 83 

19 . Restoration of C ercis wilcoxia na Berry _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 84 

20. Restoration of Dalbergia ___________________________________________________________________ ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 85 

21. Restoration of a complete leaf of Simaruba eocenica Berry _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 94 

2~ Restoration of Dodonaea ______________________________________________ _______________________ ~______ 101 

23. Restoration of a complete leaf of Sapindu8formows Berry_______________________________________________ 102 

24. Restoration of a complete leaf of Cissites collinsi Berry__________________________________________________ 102 

25. Restoration of a complete leaf of Cis sites collinsi Berry _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 103 

26. Restoration of Ternstroemites _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 111 

27. Restoration of Laguncularia preracemosa Berry: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 119 

28. Restoration of Terminalia from the Wilcox _______________ .,. ______________________ ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 120 

29. Restoration of Terminalia from the Wilcox-___________________________________________________________ 121 

30. Restoration of a complete leaf of Scheffleraformosa Berry________________________________________________ 124 

31. Restoration of Nyssa_ _ _ _ ___________ __ ___ __________ __ __ __ __ _ _ ___ ___ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ ____ ___ ____ _ _ _ __ _ 125 

32. Restoration of Diospyros_____________________________________________ _______________________________ 127 
){EVISION OF THE LO\VER EOCENE WILCOX FLOH.A OF THE SOUTI-IEASTERN 

STATES 

By EDWARD WILBER BERRY 

JNTRODUCT]ON 

I cOllll1lenced my studies of the ",'Tilcox in 1909. 

Seven years afterward the first account of the flora 1 

wus published in what seemed at the time to be a comprehensive study, in which I brought together all that 

,,"as then known of the flora, its relationships, and the 

environmental conditions which it indicated .. In that 

work, in accordnJ1ce with what I believe to be the 

propel' method of studying fossil foliar remains, speciJic lines were rather finely drawn, resulting, as has 

since been proved, in an overmuHi plication of species. 

Dur.ing the last 10 years field work in Texas, the 

activity of geologists in Arkansas and Louisiana, and 

especinlly the ddnilec1 areal work of :Messrs. Collins 

und Uoberts in westel'n Tennessee lin \'e yielded a large 

amount of IH.hlitionnl matel'jal, which has enabled me 

coni:5tnntly to review t~·le mulier work and to effect 

llllmet'OUs syntheses which should follow the first and 

nnalytic discllssion of a fossil flora. 

The unexcelled ubundance and preservation of the 

flora of the 'V.i Icox permits the determination of the 

Ijlliits of fo.liul.' variation of many species, as, fol' exlllliple, in jf'·i(,,~u8 'lnississilJl)iensis (Lesquereux) Berry. 

.A really vnst assortment of fl'uits, seeds, calices, 

flowers, Hnd brncts has also been collected, and it has 

been pos~iblc, with the nid of more complete material, 

to reconstruct the compound leaves of a number of 

species Ol' to correlate leaves with fruits or flowers. 

'Vhel.'evcr the evidence was sufficient I have made 

n'Htorutions, bringing together the scattered parts on 

the bnsis of comparisons with the most closely related 

existing species. This work has nevel' before been 

nHempted on any considerable scale, but it has, I belic\'e, u gruat: scientific value, if the restOl'er is content 

)lot to Jet imagination sel've as a substitute for obsel'vation. 

Another circumstance that renders the present discussion necessary grows out of the fact that since the 

first account of this flora was published I have had the 

good fortune to hnve described the middle and upper 

Eocene florns, as well as a considerable flora from 

1 Berry, E. W., 'I'llc lower Eocene floras of southeastern N('I'th 

America: U. S. Oco1. ~\Il'\"c~' Pl·of. Paper 91, pp. 21-466. 1916, 

the Upper Cretaceous (Ripley formation) from this 

same region. 

Consequently it is now possibl~, and for the first 

time, to place the lower Eocene Hora in its true perspective with relation to antecedent and partly ancestrnl Horas of the region and to subsequent and 

partly derivative Horas of the same region and also 

to get a partial insight into the autochtho·nous elements 

and those that were introduced and some idea as to 

whence the latter came. All this work has a bearing 

on the centers of origin and paths of dispersal of the 

flowering plants, and however poorly these larger 

problems may be understood at the present tilne, their 

discussion can not fail to afford the materials upon 

\~'hich future more refined studjes may be based as 

our science advances. 

Particular attention has been devoted over what is 

now a long period of years to a comparative study of 

herbarium material of recent related forms and to 

existing plant socjetjes, both within and outside this 

region. Although the inadequacy of many of the 

comparisons instituted is fully realized, I believe that 

I am justified in asserting that these comparisons and 

the restorations here given rest upon observed facts 

and have little of the subjective, so conspicuous in the 

works of earlier describers of Tertiary floras. 

The whole problem of the place, time, and manner 

of the origin of the angiosperms i~ almost as much of a 

mystery as when Darwin first wrote about it. I have 

endeavored not to advance opinions and have abstained from speculation upon this most interesting 

and significant topic, believing that at the present 

stage of the subject the nccumulation of facts and the 

completion of the record are the more desirable forms 

of activity. 

In the paper alluded to above as having been published in 1916, a so.mewhat exhaustive chapter was 

devoted to the botanic composition and ecologic significance of this flora, and in particular the geologic 

and geographic ranges of the genera represented were 

giveIl in considerable detail. Although this description might be luuch improved in the light of subsequent discoveries, the result would scarcely warrant 

1 
2 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

the time and space necessary for its proper consideration, and a considerable part would be mere repetition. I have therefore endeavored to give an outline 

of the geologic and the geographic distribution of all 

the more noteworthy generic types that have been 

discovered sil~ce 1916 in the ",Vilcox under the description of the species that are added to this flora in the 

present contribution. 

Doubtless detailed areal work in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas will result in the discovery of many 

additional plant localities in the ",Vilcox, and I would 

not be surprised if many such localities remain undiscovered at the present time in Mississippi; so that the 

'Vilcox flora, large as it is now, is destined to be much 

augmented in the future. However, I can scarcely 

hope to have another opportunity to contribute an 

elaborate study of this interesting flora, so that the 

present contribution, which may be regarded as a 

summation of the work of the last 10 years, may also 

be regarded as my valedictory on the subject. 

GEOLOGIC HISTORY 

GENERAL FEATURES 

The recession of the Midway sea would have been 

followed by forested swamps in those parts of the 

new land surface where the topography was favorable, 

and this, no doubt, accounts for the basal lignites that 

Inark the unconformity between the ~1idway 'and 

",Vilcox in many places as far south as Coal Bluff, on 

Alabama River, and Nanafalia Landing, on Tombigbee River. 

That the oscillations of the ",Vilcox strand were not 

nearly so simple as I have shown them diagrammatically is indicated by the 2-foot bed of autochthonous 

lignite at the base of the Bashi formation at ",Voous 

Bluff, on Tombigbee River, about 350 feet above the 

base of the ",Vilcox in that region. It is not possible, 

however, to determine the I.detailed history of the 

strand line throughout the great extent of the ",Vilcox 

coast, except in a most generalized way. 

The northward transgression of the lower ",Vilcox 

sea, whose sediments in northeastern Mississippi 'constitute the Ackerman formation, was relatively inconsjderable, barely reaching the southern boundary of 

Tennessee. . 

The major transgression of the 'Vilcox sea in the 

eastern Gulf region was marked by the sediments that 

constitute the Holly Springs sand. This expansion of 

the Mississippi embayment took place over a low and 

nearly featureless forested coastal plain. Hence the 

conditions were ideal for the formation of barrier 

beaches, which are especially typical of subsiding 

coastal plains. A long succession of such barrier 

beaches, with the variety of argillaceous and carbonaceous sediments that accumulated in the resulting 

lagoons,2 together with the contemporary littoral, 

delta, and lower stream valley deposits, furnishes the 

key to the understanding of the sediments of the vVilcox group in that part of the Coastal Plain where 

plants are the prevailing fossils. 

The extr~mely slight gradient of the ",Vilcox coastal 

plain caused these impounded lagoon waters to be 

often rather distant from the open sea of the embaylnent, especially during the shallowing (partial emergence) in the later half of Holly Springs time (rep-' 

resented by the upper part of the Tuscaho~a formation and lower part of the Bashi formation of the 

Alabama section). 

Hence, although marine faunas have not been discovered north of eastern Mississippi in the eastern 

part of the embayment nor north of Sabine River in 

the western part, the dominant influence in the geologic 

history of the ",Vilcox Mississippi embayment consisted 

of changes in marine conditions rather than changes 

in the attitude of the land-that is, it was thalassocratic rather than geocratic-so that it is not strictly· 

proper to speak of the ",Vilcox sediments as continental 

deposits, although they are partly continental in 

ongln. In other words, the guiding influence in the 

\Vilcox deposition consisted in the shifting embayment waters, as exemplified in the shifting lithology 

and faunas disclosed in the marine ",~Tilcox section of 

southern Alabama. 

CLAY CONGLOMEXATES 

Clay conglomerates, of considerable thickness, and 

courses of clay pellets occur at numerous outcrops, 

chiefly in the basal beds of the Holly Springs sand 

along the eastern border of the vVilcox belt. They 

are especially prominent in the abandoned workings 

near Pinson, Tenn., where they lie directly on the 

~t[idway along Bear Creek. Plate 1, A, shows a clay 

conglomerate on the Bolivar-I-Iornsby Road just east 

of Hatchee River and is typical of several similar exposures in ~ardeman Connty, Tenn. Similar clay 

balls and pellets can be seen in the making at the 

present time, especially along the divide on the Ten2 Purists restrict the term .. lagoons" to designate bodies of water 

tlillt retain their connection with the sea and use for those bodies of 

water of similar origin that have lost connection with the Sf'a, the 

term" seashore lakes." As lagoons exhibit every degree of separation, 

from those with open inlets thl·ough those separated at low tide to 

those permanently isolated, it seems to me more easy to visualize all 

these stages as lagoons, and that it tends to confusion of thought to 

introduce the term " seashore lake," however descriptive such a term 

may be. All science, especially physiography, tends to develop a topheavy terminology, which in the hands of the field geOlogist gradually 

becomes loosely and incorrectly applied, so that the terms of greater 

precision invented in the office eventually defeat the ends for which 

they are proposed. 
GEOLOGIC HISTORY 3 

nessee-:Mississippi boundary in the much-gullied vViltox deposits, where ,yeathered pieces of clay of all 

!:iizes nre taken up by hard showers, rounded, and 

deposited oyer tlle sand that normally floors the gullies. These clay conglomerates of the lIolly Springs 

sHnd Clln be pictured as having been formed in periodicully dry erosion channels after heavy rains and also 

by the undercutting aild slumping of clay fragments 

into active streams. ,"!"'his last process would seem to 

IIccount for the large clay boulders in the cuts along 

the rn ill'oad neo l' Oxford, l\1iss. 

PLANT LOCALITIES ILLUSTRATING GEOLOGIC HISTORY 

Locality at Aft e1'idJian., l1fi88.-The interesting locality at l)1eL'idiun, l)i:iss.: wns described in considerable 

detail in 1917.8 It is especially noteworthy in the succes!:iion of sediments shown. At the base about 12 feet 

of glnllcon.itic sand, carrying a marine fauna characteristic of the Bnshi (" "roods Bluff") formation, is 

overlain by about 30 feet of saudy lignitic clay carl'y-

.ing fossil plants characteristic of the Grenada formation of l\1ississippi nnd undoubtedly the equi vnlent of 

the mnJ'.ine llatchetigbee formation of Alabama. 

Above this clay lies a fine sand with disklike clay pebbles and ripple-marked clays that repl'esent a local 

unconformity nt the top of the 'Vilcox or the initial 

deposits of the Clniborne. 

Fourteen species of plants have been identified from 

tIle middle member, the most abnildant and significant 

of which is a large N elu1nbo. ,"!"'he clays are full of the 

l'ooh'itocks of this lotus and proye that after the 

mn.l'.ine Bnshi c1pposits' were laid down a withdrawal 

of the stJ'Hnd line southward pel'mitted the occnpation 

of the ureH. by a fresh-water pond, in which grew a 

'pl'o1:II~ion of lotus. This withdrawal of the strand 

Ii lie .JH·csnmably COl'l'f'sponcled in time with the deposit.ion of the shallowest-water marine fOl'lnation of the 

tipper ,Yilc:ox in Alabama-the llatl'hetigbee. After 

this :interval a l'ea,dvance of the sea covered the pond 

deposits with the upper sands and clays, which are 

thlls unconformable on the l:)ond deposits. 

The accompanying photograph of a Nelumbo association in the shallows of Ueelfoot Lake in western 

Tennessee (pI. 6, i.l) probably gives a good representation of the n.ppeal'ance of this upper 'Vilcox (Grennda) ponel at Mei·idian. 

Locality q,t Taylor fa1"ln, on Sile1'ton 1'oad, Ohe8ter 

001.tnt.y, Tenn.-The outcrop at the Taylor farm, in 

Chester County, Tenn., is one of particular interest 

not only because of the variety of fruits and seeds 

thnt it contains but also because it is the only known 

plant locality in the county and is within· a short disa BCI'J'Y, 1ll. W., U. S. Gcol. Survcy Prof. Pnpcl' 108, PP. 61-72, 1917. 

tance of the :Midway contact. The section exposed is 

as follows: 

Feet 

Fine cross-bedded sancL ______________________ Undetermined. 

Oourse grit with .il·ollstone fragments__________________ 3 

Light-colored sandy clay_______________________________ 3-5 

Blnck, highly lignitic clay with fine sand partings, containing logs, stems, fruits, and other Yegetable mater: al 

and scattered concretions of nuu·casite ________________ 8-10 

Fine grayish sandy clay; exposed______________________ 5 

In the lignitic bed about 3 feet above its base occurs 

a seam of pure lignite 10 to 12 inches thick, which is 

nUld~ up predominantly of twigs of Glypto8trobu8. 

This seam of lignite-or peat, as it might properly be 

termed, for it is but slightly consolidated-is of' unusual interest because it is obviously allochthonous and 

because of the millions of twigs of Glypto8trobus that 

it contains. 

A considerable sample has been washed and searched 

for identifiable remains. Among the specimens 

. found are quantities of the tiny detached leaves of 

Tarnodiwm, the characteristic fruits (stones) of 0 hry8obalan'll8, Oinna11WmU1]'~, NY88a, OYPe1'acite8, and Pota-

'TI1JogetJon, and a variety of botanically undeterminable 

fruits and seeds that have been referred to the form 

genera Legu'TI1ino8ite8 and Oarpolithu8. 

The complete list of plants from the Glypto8trobu8 

peat follows: 

Oarpolithus collinsi Berry. 

Carpolithus cronovi Berry. 

C:ll'polithu8 sileJ'tonensis Berry. 

Oarpolithus tnylorensis Berry. 

Ohrysobalanus eocenica Berry. 

Cinnam011lUlll ovoides Perkins. 

Oypel'acites l11inutus Berry. 

Cyperacites wilcoxensis Berry. 

Glypt9strobns enropaeus (Brongnia rt) Heel'. 

Leguminosites cbesterensis Berry. 

Nyssa curta Perkins. 

Potamogeton'j fructus Berry. 

'.raxodium wilcoxianum Berry. 

The abundance of Glypt08t1'obus, with the remains 

of sedges and a variety of drift fruits, suggests to me 

a stl~eam swamp rather than a pond, although the lignitic clay member as a whole may well be a pond deposit, of which the Glypt08t'J'obu8 peat may represent 

a transient phase during which there wa.s a lack of 

sediments in the incoming waters. 

A considerable number of ~pecies based on leaves 

have been found in the clay, but I can not sa.y whether 

the fruits and seeds are common to it or not. I should 

imagine that the floral facies did not differ greatly 

at the time of deposition, but the splitting of about a 

ton of the clay failed to furnish any specimens of most 

of the peat fruits and seeds 'and yielded no trace of 

Glypto8t1'obu8, so that whatever the interpretation it 
4· TH]~ LOWBlt EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

l~ evident that the Glyptost1'obus-bearing peat represents special environmental conditions somewhat different from those represented by the underlying and 

overlying lignitic clay. 

Section in big cut at Pine Top, Ha1'd'eman Oounty, 

Tenn.-Some of the 1110st interesting and instructive 

s(~ctions in the whole 'Vilcox are those just above the 

contact of the transgr.essive Holly Springs sand with 

the underlying Midway in eastern Hardeman County, 

Tenn. Among these sections that in the big cut on the 

Gulf, ~10bile & Northern Railroad near Pine Top is 

easily the most significant. (See pI. 2 and fig. 1.) 

The following species have been identified from this 

day: 

Anona eolignitica Berry. 

Apocynophyllum sapinclifolium Hollick. 

Apocynophyllulll wilcoxense Berry. 

Al'tocarpoides balli Berry. 

Artocarpus pungells (Lesqnel'eux) Hollick. 

Rising a few feet above the base on the east side of 

the cut toward its north end is a massive, somewhat 

argillaceous greenish-gray compact micaceous sand. 

TRACK LEVEL 

9~_~_~_~_~~~OFEET 

FIGURE l.-Dingrumrnntic section of the north cud of tht' east side of the big cut on the Gulf, Mobile & 

Northern Rnilroad near Pine Top, Hardeman County, Tenn. 1, Angular l:iaud with seattered small lenses 

of clean white sand, 0-25 feet; 2, yellow, finely sandy clay with fossil plants, gl'Uding downward into 

dark-gray, very i1'l'egularly beddpd sand and clay, mOl'e 01' less COllccllled l)y slUmping, about 95 feet; 

3, laminated sandy clay; 4, sand; 5, gray sandy clay; 0, massive sand; 7, argillaceous lignitic sand with 

plants, slllall quartz pebbles, aJld bauxitc, 0-5 fect; 8, clay; 9, massive gl'ePllislt-gray ~ne micaceous sand 

Celastrus taurinensis Ward. 

Dl'yophyllum puryearensis Berry. 

Dl'yophyllulll tennesseeuse Berry. 

Euonymus splendens Berry. 

lj'icus mississippiensis (Lesquereux) Berry. 

Jj'ieus wilcoxensis Berry. 

Magnolia angustifolia Newberry, 

Nectandra Jancifolia (Lesquereux) Berry. 

Nectandra pseudocoriacea Berry. 

Oreodaphne obtusifolia Berry (?). 

Parrotia cuneata (Newberry) Berry (?). 

Proteoides wilcoxen sis Berry (?). 

Rhamnites knowltoni Berry. 

Rhamnus coushatta Berry ('f). 

Sideroxylon ellipticus Berry (?) • 

Sterculia wilcoxensis Berry. 

No fossils were found in it at this outcrop, but it is 

lithologically similar to that in adjacent sections along 

the railroad near milepost 385, immediately south of 

Pine Top, where a similar sand contains Sll1all calcareous ledges of similar composition to the material in 

the Clayton limestone, carrying Leda, TU1"riteUa, 

OuC'uJllaea, Oalyptrophm'U8, Ostrea, and other typical 

~1idway invertebrates, so that there seems to be no 

doubt but that this 111eIl1ber in the Pine Top cut is of 

~1idway age. There is hence a marked erosional unconformity between the ~1idway and the 'Vilcox in 

this county, as is indeed shown by the irregular contact and the pebbles of quartz and bauxite that imme-
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE I 

A. CLAY CONGLOMERATE JUST EAST OF THE 

lIATCHIE HIVER, BOLIVAR-HORNSRY 

IWAD, llARDEMA COUNTY, TENN. 

Photogroph by Jos . K. Roberts. 

B . COURSES OJ? CLAY IN THE HOLLY SPHINGS SAND AT TIlE MONROE I'll', BENHY COUNTY, TENN. 

Photograph by Jos. K. Roberts. 
U. S . GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 2 

A. LOWER PART OF BIG CUT AT PINE TOP, IN NORTHEASTERN HAHDEMAN COUNTY, TENN. 

Man is pointing to plant bed in the Holly Springs saod immediately a bove the contac t with Lhe Midway. Phologroph by Jos. K. RoherLs. 

Photograph hy Jos. K . Roberts. 
• 

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 3 

A. FORESET BEDS BENEATH HARDPAN OVERI,AIN BY HORIZONTALLY BEDDED PLANT-BEARING CLAY 

OF THE GRENADA FORMATION AT LOCALITY NORTH OF THE LOOSAHATCHIE RIVER AND 1 MILE 

NORTH OF SOMERVILLE, FAYETTE COUNTY, TENN. 

Ph3tograph by JO". K. Hoberts. 

B. UNCONFORMITY WITH! THE WILCOX AT THE PLA T J"OCALlTY EAH THE MOUTH OF CONCILLAS CREEK, WEBB COU TY. TEX. 

Photograph by A. C. Trowbriflge. 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

~ 

A. TIIICK-BEDDED PLASTIC CLAY NEAR THE TOP OF THE HOLLY SPHINGS SAND 

AT TIlE FOUNDRY Clluncn PIT, HENRY COUNTY, TENN. 

P"oto~raph by Jo.,. K. Hoherts. 

PROFESSION AL PAPER 156 PLATE 4 

• 

,\, " 

~~.-:;; .... . ~ 

. , 

B. GREAT TJlICKNESS OF THICK-BEDDED PLASTIC CLAY AT THE COLE I'l l', 

HENRY COUNTY, TENN. 

P hotograph by J05. K. Roberts. 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSION AL P APEH 156 PLATE 5 

A. WAKULLA SPRINGS, FLA., ILLUSTRATI G THE PROBABLE APPEARA CE OF A WILCOX FRESH-WATER 

LAGOO 

PhoLograph by Walter B. J ones. 

B. SAWFISnllAY, JUPITER, FLA., II"LUSTRATI G TI-IE PROBABLE APPEARANCE OF A WILCOX BRACKISHWATER LAGOON 

Pbologra ph by Pownall Stuuio. 
U.::::S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 6 

A. NELUMBO LUTEA ALO 

Photograph by Jos. K. Roberts. 

B. WAKULLA RIVER, FLA., ILLUSTRATI G THE PROBABLE APPEARANCE OF A WILCOX BAYOU 

Photograph by Walter B. Jones. 
GEOLOGIC HISTORY- 5 

diately oyerlie it. This interval is believed to represent all of the time required for the deposition of the 

Ackerman formation of Mississippi and perhaps the 

basal part of the Holly Springs sand of the region 

toward the south. 

Above this irregular contact is exposed from a thin 

layer to as much as 5 feet of highly carbonaceous, conglomeratic argillaceous bauxitic sand with clay pellets 

and quartz gravel. This layer contains quantities of 

waterworn sticks, bits of lignite, fragments of bark, 

Glyptostroo'l1l8 twigs, palm petioles, reed stems, a few 

lea ves, and large quantities of a variety of drift fruits 

and seeds, such as those of Anona, Pal17wcarp0rIJ, Rubiacites, A 'lnygdal'l1l8 , Leguvzinosites, and Lawrus 

cupules. The most abundant of these are gum balls 

(LiquidaJl'lvoaT) and pods of Legwminosites a:rachioides 

of all sizes.' The leaf species recognized occur along 

argillaceous films, are relatively few in number and 

poorly preserved,. and for the most part represent 

coriaceous forms. 

The following plants have been recognized within a 

few feet of the Midway contact: 

Amygdnlus wilcoxinnn Berry. 

Anona robertsi Berry. 

Apocynophyllum mississippiense Berry. 

Apocynophyllum sapindifoUum Hollick. 

Artocarpus pungens (Lesquereux) Hollick. 

Dryopbyllum tennesseense Berry. 

Echitonium lnnceolatum Ettingshnusen. 

Ficus mississippiensis (Lesquereux) Berry (common). 

Glyptostrobus europaeus (Bronguiart) Heel'. 

Gyewiopsis tennesseensis Berry (one small leaf). 

JugJans occidentalis Newberry. 

Lnurus hardemanensis Berry. 

Leguminositt:ls chesterensis Berry. 

LeguminoSites arachioides minor Berry. 

Liquic1nmbar wilcoxinnum Berry. 

Menispel'mites hardemanellsis Berry. 

Nectandra glenni Berry. 

~ectandra pseuc1ocoriacen Berry. 

Palmocal'pon butlerense Berry. 

Platanus nobilis Newberry. 

Rubiacites? pellicierafol'mis Berry. 

Sabnlites- cf. S. grnyanus Lesquereux. -

Sterculia wilcoxen sis BetTy. 

All the foregoing forms, except the Ficus, M enispeTmites, Platanus, and Ste1"culia, are confined to the 

basal part of this section and have not been found at 

the upper plant horizon. 

About this fossiliferous bed there is a thickness of . 

50 to 75 feet of irregularly bedded clay and sand from 

which no fossils have been collected and which has 

every appearance of being a delta deposit. The sediments gradually become more. uniform in lithology 

and bedding higher in the section, and the upper 

few feet is composed of nearly horizontally bedded,' 

lighter yellow, finely sandy clay, in many places con-

~iderably indurated and carrying scattered flat leaves 

63757-30-2 

of large size which were evidently buried beneath 

rather quiet water. Thjs. upper fossiliferous clay' is 

capped with a thin ironstone layer, above which there 

is a maximum of 25 feet of angular sand containing 

small lenses of clean white sand. 

The whole section above the Midway, with a maximum thickness of about 130 feet, appears to represent 

the Holly Springs sand and gives a clear picture of 

the course of events at that time in this region. The 

upper plant bed or slumped material from it has 

furnished the following plants: 

Dillenites ovatus Berry. 

Ficus lllississippiensis (Lesquereux) Berry. 

Mellispermites hardemanensis Berry. 

Platanus nobilis Newberry (large leaves). 

Sterculia wilcoxen sis Berry (common and of large size).' 

Of these the Dillenites is the only one not found in 

the basal part of the section. I can not see that there 

is any chronologic difference in the plants found at 

these two horizons, and it is also doubtful whether 

there is any considerable ecologic difference. They are 

obviously not strictly comparable, as all the drift 

fruits that Inake up so considerable a percentage of 

the forms at the lower horizon are absent at the upper 

horizon. • 

This is one of the most convincing sections showing 

the erosion interval between the Midway and the vVilcox, and the fortunate presence of a middle Wilcox 

flo rule of over 20 species at the contact proves conclusively that the interpretation of lower Eocene history 

put forward in 1915 was correct in all its essential 

details.4 

OutC'rop north of Somerville, Fayette Oounty, 

Tenn.-An interesting section is shown in the northern 

valley scarp of Loosahatchie River about 1 mile north 

of the town of Somerville and half a mile north of the 

tracks of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Rail-

. way, where the wagon road forks to the hamlet of. 

Yum Yum, in Faye~te County, Tenn. 

This sectIon reveals a lower member of grayish 

cross-bedded sand, showing conspicuous foreset bedding toward the southwest. (See .pl.3, A.) This 

sand is exposed for a thickness of about 15 feet and, 

except for its lighter color, is the sort of material that 

the older geologists referred to the so-called "Lafayette formation." At the top the bedding is beveled 

by thin, nearly horizontal sands interbedded with 

more argillaceous materi~ls, which have become ferruginized since their deposition to form a more or less 

sandy bed of clay ironstone in several courses a few 

inches thick. Above the lowest layer. there is an 

interval of a few inches to 2 feet of nearly horizonta.l 

'Berry, E. W., Erosion tnter.nls In the Eocene of the MIssissippi 

embayment: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 95, pp. 73-82, 1,915. 
6 THE LO\VEll, EOCENE "\VILCOX l!'LOl1A OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

argillaceous sand" above which lies a second ironstone 

layer about a foot in thickness. This layer is overlain 

by a 15 to 20 foot exposure of horizontally bedded, 

rather pure brownish laminated clay carrying abundant leaf impressions and generally colored by iron 

oxide. At intervals measured in inches there are Vel'Y 

subordinate films of fine sand. (See fig. 2.) 

The lower sand is 'either a river sand bar or, more 

probably, part of the delta of a southwestward-flowing stream. As this delta was built toward the southwest slight subsidence or the ponding and shifting of 

its distributaries resulted in the deposition, perhaps 

seasonally, of the nearly horizontal san~s and clays 

of the ironstone layers that mark the' base of the recent 

erosion channel in the upper fossiliferous clay. 

The upper clay represents a long interval of quietwater deposition of fine material that might be interthat these were absent in the immediate vicinity at the 

tjme of the deposition of the containing sediments. 

The follo'wing species are identified from this 

outcrop: 

Amygdalus wilcoxiana Berry. 

Anacardites inequilateralis Berry. 

Anacardites minor Berry. 

ApocynophyUum mississippiense Berry. 

CarpOlithus hiraeafol'mis Berry. 

Carpolithus pilocarpoides. 

Carpolithus puryeareusis. 

Carpolithus somervillensis. 

Cupanites formosus Berry. 

Euonymus splendens Berry. 

Ficus mississippiensis (Lesquereux) Beny. 

Ficus mississippiensis gigantea Berry. 

Ficus tennesseensis Berry. 

Grewiopsis tennesseensis Berry. 

Hicoria crescentia Knowlton. 

FIGUnE 2.-Diagt·ummutic sketch of the relations at the fossiliferous locality 1 mile north 

of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

preted as either flood-plain sediments in the lower 

valley of a Wilcox stream or lagoon deposits in a. 

ponded part of a Wilcox delta. The fossils show no' 

evidence of transportation but must have grown ne~r 

at hand, for there is no accumulation of drift fruits 

or mutilated leaves, large leaves have their margins 

and acuminate tips intact, and many compound leaves 

retain several of their leaflets. 

Twenty-five species of fossil plants, indicative of a 

Grenada age, have been identified from the upper clay. 

This florule is of sufficient interest for separate enumeration and is clearly indicative of a plant association somewhat different from the other ecologic groups 

that can be differentiated in the flora of Wilcox time. 

Although some allowance should be made for theunrertain value of purely negative evidence, it would 

seem justifiable, where fossils are so abundant, to 

consider the absence of certain types as indicating 

Ma~~tenus puryearensis Berry. 

Myrcia grenadensis Berry. 

Negundo knowltoni Berry. 

Osmanthus pedatus (Lesquereux) Berry. 

Reynosia wilcoxiana Berry. 

Rhamnites knowltoni Berry. 

Sapindus formosus Berry. 

Sophora sp. 

Ternstroemites ovatus Berry. 

Rutaphyllum trifoliatum Berry. 

Omitting from consideration the species that are 

based upon fruits or seeds as being of uncertain significance, we may note that the following four species 

are known only from this outcrop: 

Anacardites inequilateralis. 

Ficus tennesseensis. I Negundo knowltoni. 

Rutaphyllum trifoliatum. 

Two of these, the N egundo and the Rutccphyllu1n, belong to genera not otherwise represented in the whole 

vVilcox flora. 
GEOLOGIC HISTORY 7 

The commOlle~t ::;pecies is Iiic01'ia crescentia, which 

is sparingly represented in the later vVilcox at a few 

other localities. About equally common are Euony-

"hUS splendens and Grewiopsis tennesseensis, both 

widely distributed Wilcox species which can hardly be 

considered as having been restricted to a single envjronment. In addit.ion to these two the following 

five are all common and widely distributed in the 

"Tilcox and hence can not be considered to have any 

special ecologic significance in the present connection: 

Apocynophyllum miSSiSSiPPiense., Sllpindus formosus. 

Ficus mississippiensis. Ternstroemites ovatus. 

Rbnmnites lmo,vltoni. 

A peCUliarity C?f this floi-ule is the entire absence of 

any representatives of the family Lauraceae, which is 

present in the Wilcox of other localities to the extent 

of 9 genera and 36 species. A still more remarkable 

feature is the almost complete absence of members of 

the leguminous alliance, the only traces of which are 

specifically undeterminable leaflets thought to represent the genus Sophora. Leguminosae of the three 

families Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, and Papilionaceae are normally present in large numbers in most 

'Vilcox fossiliferous outcrops, the total number described amounting to about 90 species. 

A general survey of the distribution of the Wilcox 

species as a whole shows a relative diminution of both 

Lauraccae and Leguminosae in the Grenada forma-. 

t'ion as compared with the Holly Springs sand, but 

this is not sufficient to account for their absence in 

this locality. There is no other known locality in the 

'Vilcox with anything like the number of species 

round here that does not contain some representation 

of both these alliances. 

The small florule near Mandy in Madison County, 

Tenn., also lacks both and, like that near Somerville, contains an abundance of Grewiopsis tennesseensis, as well as the two hydrophytes-Salvinia. and 

Potanwgeto'l1r-and also many fish scales and caddis 

cases. There are. no Leguminosae at the outcrop at 

Huckleberry Schoolhouse, in Carroll County, Tenn.; 

in the gully 1 mile west of Laconia, Fayette County, 

Tenn., or at the Murrell property in Hardeman 

County, Tenn. At the locality last mentioned are 

found Salvinia and Unio. 

.At the locality near Rogers Spring, in Hardeman 

County, Tenn., which I have supposed to be a delta 

deposit on account of the lithology and bedding, there 

are no members of the family Lauraceae. The locality 

a t the big cut near Pine Top, in Hardeman County, 

has all the lithologic and organic features of a delta, 

OF. has been described on another page, and here there 

are a few Lauraceae and the only Leguminosae collected are fruits which seem to have drifted. Finally, 

nt tIll' locality on the Taylor farm, in Chester County, 

Tenn., the only Leguminosae consist of fruits and not 

foliage. . 

Just what this material may indicate environmentally is difficult to say. The accompanying remains of especially mesophytic plants, along with 

hydrophytes such as Salvinia and Pota1nogeton, fish 

scales, unios, and caddis cases built of water-logged 

leaves, is surely indicative of a moist ·substratum. It 

is true that unios, fish scales, and the remains of 

aquatic insect larvae merely mean that the sediments 

were water-laid, and we know of many localities where 

the caddis cases are found amid an abundance of leguminous and lauraceous leaves, but the fairly constant paucity or absence of these two alliances in beds 

that otherwise give more or less evidence of delta 

conditions seems more than a coincidence. 

A delta of any size affords a variety of habitats, 

and it is perhaps impossible to sharpen the picture of 

the probable environment· in which the plants from 

the locality north of Somerville lived. Furthermore, 

although the basal sands of this section show delta 

features, the flora all comes from the overlying clay, 

which may be a delta-pond or a flood-plain deposit, so 

that our argument does not advance perceptibly. 

Henry Oownty, Tenn.-Across the central part of 

Henry County, Tenn., the divide between the creeks 

that constitute the headwaters of Obion River on the 

west and the tributaries of Big Sandy River, an afl1uent of Tennessee River, on the east, is a conspicuous 

upland, relatively high and rolling to the west and 

relatively low to the east, where the easily eroded sediments of the McNairy sand member of the Ripley 

formation of the Upper Cretaceous have permitted the 

valley to advance westward 10 or 12 miles from Tennessee River to the Eocene contact. Here erosion had 

to operate on a series 'of thick clay lenses in the Wilcox, and these now constitute the core of the eastern 

border of this upland. These clay lenses have been 

extensively worked fron1 the I(entucky line southward 

through Puryear, Whitlock, Paris, and Henry. (See 

pI. 1, B.) Some of them show the thickest clay banks 

that I have seen in the Wilcox throughout its extent .. 

In.none of these exposures is the Midway-Wilcox contact visible, but it is not many feet away, for the Midway crops out on the northern edge of Paris, where the 

north road crosses the Louisville & Nashville tracks. 

Most of these vVilcox outcrops carry fossil plants; 

in fact, the most extensive florule known to me from a 

single Tertiary outcrop in North America occurs at 

Puryear, where over 200 different species have been 

found. 

It is significant that this large florule, which is 

clearly at approximately the same horizon as those 

from the Atkins and Grable pits, in the southern part 

of HenfY County, should occur very near the top of 
8 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

,the Holly Springs sand. This position clearly shows 

the northward transgression or the Holly Springs 

sand and proves that the Midway-Wilcox contact is 

considerably younger· in Henry County than it is in 

Hardeman County. These clay banks across Henry 

County are not continuous but lenticular. In general, 

like the somewhat similar clay lenses or the Upper 

Cretaceous in this region, their long axis is parallel 

to the old coast or the embayment, and their occurrence 

surrounded by sand, the remarkable thickness and 

purity of some of the clays, and the quantities or leaves 

which they contain all indicate deposition in coastal 

Iv.goons behind extensive vegetation-covered barrier 

beaches and sand flats, so that most or them, especially 

in Henry County, were beyond the reach of tidal influences and received the slow drainage from the land to 

the east through streams whose lower. courses were 

drowned bayous or estuaries. The varying environments along this low coast, as I picture them, are illustrated by several recent photographs, which I have 

selected as especially realistic portrayals of "lower 

Eocene conditions in this region. 

Plates 5, A and B, and 6, B, picture the low Wilcox 

coast as I conceive it to have been, with slow stream 

distributaries, lined with rorests, the waters inhabited 

by unios and other mollusks, gar pikes, and crocodiles, 

containing water chestnuts (TraJP(J) , lotus (Nelumbo), 

and other aquatic vegetation, the banks clothed with 

bald cypress, gum, palms like the modern cabbage palmetto, and a great variety of leguminous and lauraceous rorms, among which clambered $milaw, Ba;nisteria, and other climbing plants. 

Plate 5, B, may be taken to illustrate a Wilcox 

lagoon which had maintained or established a connection with the open Gulf waters and which was 

thererore tidal and more or less brackish. Here the 

muddy shallows would support Avicennia, Laguntularia, Oomoretum, and other members of the mangrove association, as well as the Nipadites palm; the 

bordering marshes would contain Acrostichum; along 

their borders would be· found various Sapotaceae, 

bowers of wild figs and many other types; the barrier 

beaches would be covered with a variety or leguminous 

shrubs and trees, Terminalia, Ooccoloois, Ohrysobalanus, small palms, and a great variety of other 

plants. 

Many of the Wilcox lagoons were closed, and in 

their more quiet waters and mud slowly accumulated 

and formed the great thicknesses of dark plastic clay, 

such as those or the Cole pit. (See pI. 4,· B.) The 

color of these clays indicates a considerable percentage 

of carbonaceous ~aterial, but they usually rurnish 

few and faint impressions of leaves, and I have· assumed that the rate of accumulation of such deposits 

was comparatively slow, the water was almost stagnant, relatively rew entire leaves were swept into the 

basin, and these usually had time to become thoroughly 

distintegrated. 

Similar carbonaceous cl.ays of less thickness, such as 

the clay exposed in the Atkins pit, where beautiful 

and entire leaves, many of large size, are preserved, 

may be considered to have been accumulated in pockets 

in quiet bayous, or oxbows in the adj acent forests, the 

leaves .from which had ample time to settle to the 

bottom.· 

Many of these clays in Henry County are thinner 

and lighter in color and contain considerable amounts 

of disseminated silica or filins 6r fine sand. Many of 

them contain a great variety of plant species, and 

whatever may have been the variation in conditions in 

the immediate vicinity, it is difficult to conceive of 

over '200 species of vascular plants as having lined the 

sIiores or a single lagoon. Such a variety or plants 

and the presence of grit indicate a' considerable influx 

of streams laden with rorest litter, but this material 

could not have come quickly or rrom great distances, 

as the bulk of the plant material is not brokenpetioles are preserved as well as slender tips, toothed 

margins, and such extremely attenuated forms as 

Ba;nksia tenuifolia Berry. 

o ole pit.-The opening known as the Cole pit is 21;4, 

miles west of south of Puryear, in Henry County, 

Tenn., and immediately west or the highway. The 

section is as rollows: 

1. Brownish sand and loam. 

2. Thin chert gravel. 

3. Yellowish sand. 

4. Plastic clay, the upper 5 or 6 feet dove-colored, the lower. 

30 to 35 feet almost black fat clay without perceptible 

bedding, except thin films of sand from 5 to 10 inches 

apart, with scattered faint impressions of leaves, of 

which the only form recognized is E'Uonym'U8 splendens 

Berry. 

The horizon is the same as that exposed in the 

Foundry Church pit (pI. 4, A), about a quarter of 

a mile to the south, and approximately the same as 

that in the highly rossiliferous Puryear pit. 

This is by far the thickest body of uniform-textured 

Glay that I have seen anywhere in the Wilcox, the 

lighter upper portion differing merely in loss of 

water. It is extremely difficult to picture the exact 

method of accumulation of such a thickness. I have 

assumed that the water was quiet and that only the 

finest sort of sediment was brought into the basin. 

This condition would indicate a very small yearly 

accumulation by colloid precipitation. Very little is 

known of the rate of such a process under varying 

conditions; but it seems necessarily slow. The thin 

films of sand every 5 or 10 inches are hard to explain. 
GEOLOGIC HISTORY 9 

They are too widely spaced and too thin to represent. 

seasonal phenomena, and one is tempted to connect 

thein in some way with the Penck and Bruckner 

33-yeal' climatic cycle. If this explanation has any 

basis, which I much doubt, as it seems highly specuIntiYe, it would mean that it took about 2,000 years for 

this clay bank to accumulate. Or, if the 11-year sunspot cycle were appealed to, it would mean a period 'Of 

accumulation of about 700 years. 

The opening at the Cole pit is too small to determine the character of the clay at the edges of the lens. 

In the Foundry Church pit, a quarter of a mile south 

of the Cole pit, there is a bed of similar dark plastic 

clay nbout 25 feet thick, and this clay becomes lighter 

ill color and sandier toward the east, which is in the 

nssumed direction of the source of the sediments. 

A long-interval periodic increase in storminess 

"'ould account for the sand films in one of several 

ways. They might be attributed to increased run-off 

bringing in the sand or to increased windiness bringing the sand from the barrier beaches and sand flats 

lying toward the sea, perhaps at a time when the 

beach jungle, was largely leafless, or to the increased 

run-off raising the water level enough to enable the 

water, now more agitated, to take up surface sand' 

films from beaches ordinarily separated from the 

wn tel' by a belt of mud covered with palustrine vegetation. The sand partings are so thin that it does not 

SE·em probable that they are due to increased carrying 

power of entering waters, and much the same argument weighs against the suggestion that the sand may 

be wind-blown. The third suggestion appeals to me 

as offering the most likely explanation. Views of both 

the Cole pit and the adjacent Foundry Church pit 'are 

shown in Plate 4. ' 

The Wilcom /O'J'1n;ations 01 southwestern Tewa8.-

. The lithologic variations and possibly the time in-

,'olved in the 'Vilcox deposits of southwestern Texas 

nre greater than in the deposits farther east in that 

Stnte. The local relations in this region have been 

given in considerable detail in a report by Trowbridge I} published in 1923, and the fossil plants found 

there were listed and described in 1922.6 

In this part of Texas the Wilcox, particularly its 

middle sandy phase, is clearly transgressive, in some 

plnces passing over the Midway and coming to rest 

on the Upper Cretaceous, as on Nueces River near the 

San Antonio, Uvalde & Gulf Railroad bridge. 

The general relations of the lithologic units within 

the 'Vilcox of this region are as follows: 

G Trowbridge, A. C., A geologic reconnaissance in the Gulf Coastal 

Plain of Texas near the Rio Grande: U. S. Geol. Survey Prot. Paper 

181, pp. 85-107, 1923. 

8 Berry, E. W., Additions to the flora of the Wilcox group: Idem, 

pp. 1-21. pIs. 1-18, 1922. 

Wilcox 

group 

Mount Selman contact 

Bigford formation (about 700 feet or less) 

Carrizo sandstone (0-400 feet)_ . 

Indio formation (80-470 feet) 

.. oJ ... _ .. -... ,,-.. ........ • ~ .. 

Midway (Eocene) or Upper Cretaceous:contact 

The fossil plants that have been discovered in the 

Wilcox throughout Texas are aU indicative of upper 

'Vilcox age. In the past marine fossils in the vVilcox 

have not been known west of the eastern border of the 

Texas coastal plain, and this so-called Sabinetown 

fauna has generally been regarded as of upper Wilcox 

age. More recently rather sparse marine faunas have 

been discovered in B~xar and Wilson Counties and in 

the Indio formation of the southwestern part of the 

State. Miss Gardner, in a recent paper,1 has discussed 

these faunas, and she regards the Sabinetown fauna 

and that from Bexar and Wilson Counties as upper 

Wilcox, corresponding to the Bashi (" Woods Bluff") 

formation of Alabama, thus agreeing with the evidence of the fossil plants. The fauna from the Indio 

formation in Dimmit and Ma.verick Counties she considers to represent the lower Wilcox, because of the absence in it of characteristic Sabinetown species, such 

as Alectrion emilis (Conrad) and Leda aldricMana 

Harris; and the presence of earlier Wilcox forms, 

such as Turritella mortoni Conrad, 1'. humerosa Conrad, and Ostrea thirsae Gabb (~). 

The Wilcox faunas of Alabama have been recently 

revised by Hoffmeister.s According to his tables of 

distribution the only form of the Gardner list which 

is restricted to the Nanafalia or lowest Wilcox formation in Alabama is Oardium tuomeyi Aldrich, and the 

Indio fossil is not J?ositi vely identified as such; the 

only form restricted to the Tuscahoma, or next 

younger vVilcox formation in Alabama, is 0 allocard'la 

nuttalliopsis greggi Harris, and here again the Indio 

material is not positively determined. The genera of 

Indio Mollusca all range upward long distances, as 

indicated by the following list of the only species from 

the Indio positively named: 

Cornulina armigera Conrad __ Bashi, Hatchetigbee, and Clai-

-- borne. 

Pseudoliva vetusta Conrad ___ Bashi, Hatchetigbee, and Clai-

~f borne. 

Turritella mortoni Conrad_ _ _ Recorded from CLaiborne, p robably erroneously. 

Turritella humerosa Conrad __ Bashi. 

7 Gardner, J. A., FossUlferous marine Wilcox In Texas: Am. Jour. 

Scl., 5th ser., vol. 7, PP. 141-145, 1924. 

8 Hoffmeister, W. S., Johns Hopklns Unlv. Dissertation, May. 1926. 

!BUREAU OF· MINES liBRARY 

DE~~V~~ 
10 THE LO\VER EOCENE \VILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Ostrea thirsae Gabb _________ Bashi, also Claiborne, probably 

erroneously. 

Venericardia planicosta Lamarck ____________ "- ______ Through the Wilcox and into 

the Claiborne. 

Calyptraea aperta Solander __ Bashi an.d Claiborne. 

If, then, this Indio fauna indicates a lower vVilcox 

age, it must be admitted that the criteria upon which 

this correlation is based can not be said to be obvious. 

Turning our attention to the plants, we find that the 

following florule has been identified from the Indio: 

Anona amplu Berry. 

Anona eoHgnitica Berry. 

Cyperites sp. Hollick. 

Ficus mississippiensis (Lesquereux) Berry. 

Nectandra sp. 

Oreodaphn'e obtusifolia Berry. 

it affords of an erosional unconforlnity within the 

"Tilcox, a not unusual occurrence but one that is ordinarily determined by overlap and not shown so diagrammatically in a single outcrop. 

The section shown in Plate 3, B, and Figure 3 is in 

the Bigford formation, the uppermost of the three 

formational uni ts recognized by Trowbridge in this 

region. A gray clay at the base is overlain by a horizontally bedded sandstone carrying sticks and leaf 

fragments, including good specimens o~ Oanna eocenica Berry, a characteristic species of the Holly 

Springs. This sandstone is capped by a thin clay parting, above which is a similar sandstone with ripple 

marks from vfhich no fossils were collected. The 

upper surface of. the sandstone was conspicuously 

eroded, apparently by stream action, before the depo-

~~------~ ----,-- -------- ------.- ------------- -.- --------- ------

~~~~I~ .. ~··-L······,···~~ ---=- .~--=-=--=------=---=~ ~ --==-----=::..----=-=---=--=-=-:-==--===-=--:=---=-~ ----==---

=.=~-:-~:--,'~--~~Efi==-~--~-~::;, -- -~~~ -~~~~~ .----~-----...:.-------~---------------

~:·;,F._···.····JJh~1~~,,;;:~·····:~,\·7··;7fS~~ .. _ 4 .... ~ 

--- ------- 6----------~ 

- ---------------------

FIGUHE 3.--Diagram of sectioll a quarter of a mile above the mouth of Concillas Creel., Webb 

County, Tex. 1, Sandstonc; 2, brownish laminated clay with leaves; 3, sandstone, ripple-marked 

in places; 4, clay partin~; 5, sandstone with fragmentary leaves; 6, gmy clay 

Rhamnus coushatta Berry. 

Sabalites grayallus Lesquereux. 

Sapindus lillearifolius Berry. 

Four of' these' species have been found in the Carrizo sandstone and one additional in the Bigford 

formation. Two, Ficus 17WSsissippiensis and Oreodaphne obtusifolia, occur throughout the 1Vilcox, and I 

the rest are unknown below the horizon of the Holly 

Springs sand. I therefore feel justified in concluding that' the Indio formation is not lower 'Vilcox. It 

may be as old as the Holly Springs sand of Mississippi, but it can hardly be older. 

Section nea')' 1rwuth of Ooncillas O')'eek, Webb 0 ounty, Tew.-About a quarter of a mile above the junction 

of Concillas Creek with the Rio Grande a section is 

exposed which is described here because of its fossilifetous character and also because of the clear evidence 

sition of the overlying clay, which is brownish and 

laminated and contains an abundance of fossil plants. 

The following species have been identified from this 

bed: 

Anarcardites grevilleafolia Berry. 

Banksia pUl'yeal'ensis Berry. 

Cassia marshallensis Berry. 

Cyperites sp, Holl ;ck. 

Inga wickliffensis Berry? 

J\1.g1ans sch'lllpel'i Lesquel'eux. 

Mimosites variabilis Berry. 

l\1:musops mississippiensis Berry. 

Myrica wilcoxensis Berry. 

Sub-alites grayanus Lesquereux. 

Sophora wilcoxiana Berry. 

The number of forms in the list is too small to 

warrant any ecologic speculation. The plants, to the 

extent that they are represented at this outcrop, 
LOWER EOCENE FLORAS 11 

constitute just the sort of an assemblage that is com~ 

monly found in the upper part of the Holly Springs 

sund. 

LOWER EOCENE FLORAS 

'l'/i.e origin of OJngiospe'J"1ns.-The much greater con-' 

tl'nsts between the floras of the Upper Cretaceous and 

the older Tert~ary in regions like southeastern North 

America and Mediterranean Europe as compared with 

the corresponding changes in the floras of higher latitudes strongly suggests that after the initial dispersal 

age with gymnospermous seeds inclosed in anglospermous carpels. 

Earrl'lj Eocene plants in Teroa8.-:-N 0 account of the 

1Vilcox flora would be complete without some reference 

to the fossil plants discovered at Earle, in Bexar 

County, and near Sayersville, in Bastrop County, 

in the Coastal Plain. of Texas. These plants ha Vp 

been tentatively considered as referable to the 1\Edway, or basal Eocene, and were discussed by nle 10 in 

1924. The following representatives of 18 different 

plants have been recognized from these outcrops: 

of the flowering plants in the Cretaceous, which is' 

generally beli.eved to have started from a northern centf:r, there was an extensive evolution of forms in low 

latitudes, and that these forms subsequently during 

the period of genial climate that culminated in the 

Oligocene radiated northward to a greater or less degree according to the paths of dispersal that were 

available. This suggestion is strikingly supported by 

the floral history of the southeastern United States 

during the earlier half of the Tertiary period and is 

similarly emphasized by the south Asiatic and African -? 

affinities of both the terrestrial floras and the faunas 

Asimina eocenica Lesquereux. 

Asplenium primero Knowltoll. 

Cinnamolllum affine Lesquereux. 

Dolichites dcusseni Berry. 

Ficus denveriana Cockerell. 

Ficus occidentalis Lesquereux. 

"Ficus sp. Berry. 

Ficus post-trinervis Knowlton. 

LaUl'us wardiana Knowlton. 

l\iespiloc1aphne precoushatta Berry. 

Pourouma texana Berry. 

Platanus aceroides latifolia Knowlton. 

Rhamnus marginatus apiculatus Berry. 

Rhamnus sp. Berry. 

, i 

of that time in Europe. 

1Ve are really profoundly ignorant of the early 

history of the angiosperms, and their supposed origin 

in the north may be entirely illusory. Their appearance in considerable numbers in the late Lower Cretaceous deposits (Aptian and Albian) in such widely 

scattered regions as Maryland and Virginia, England, 

Portugal, and New Zealand, without showing any 

cspecinlly primitive characters, which are notably absent in the petrified woods described from England, 

throws the problem farther back in the Mesozoic than 

has genernlly been appreciated and raises the question 

whether the real place of origin may not have been 

equatorial uplands, as some students have suggested.. 

It seems to me to be quite futile to speculate about 

this problem at the present time, or to endeavor to 

build up a theory frOln collateral evidence. 1Vhat we 

really need before we can hope to make any substantial 

contribution to this fascinating problem is a more 

complete knowledge of Mesozoic floras, especially in 

equatorial regions and in nonpalu~trine environments. 

In 1925 Thomas 0 described 'what he considered to 

o be an order of primitive angiosperms from the J urassic of Yorkshire which involved the widespread Mesozoic type known as Sagenopte'J'is. Should this author's 

conclusions be substantiated, and it seems wise to withhold judgment until they are fully demonstrated, they 

jntroduce us to the first really primitive angiosperms 

that have been discovered, which combine fernlike foliSapindus? sn. Berry. 

Temlinalia hilgarcliana (Lesquereux) Berry. 

Terminalia lesleyana (Lesquereux) Berry. 

Viburnum sp. Berry. 

If these plants were really of Wilcox age it would 

seem that all should be present elsewhere in the abundantly preserved vVilcox flora. However, in spite of 

the fact that the vVilcox flora numbers considerably 

more than 500 species, 12 of these central Texas forms 

have not been found in the Wilcox, and moreover, the 

general resemblances are with the plants of the Raton 

formation and o~her pre-Wilcox floras of the western 

United States. 

The areal mapping in Texas by both State and Federal geologists places the beds at Earle and Sayers·· 

ville in the Wilcox. Until a representative flora has 

been discovered in acknowledged l\1ic1way beds it will 

be impossible to prove whether the plants listed represent Midway or earlier 1Vilcox than that represented 

by the plants found in the Ackerman formation of the 

eastern Gulf area. They clearly break the unity of 

the Wilcox flora as a whole, but it must be borne in 

mind that they may eventually be proved to be of 

early 1Vilcox age, and if so they will add 12 additional 

forms to this already extensive flora, including the 

t\yO interesting and noteworthy types Dolichites and 

Pmtrowma. Until this· is positively determined I 

prefer to ignore them in the discussion of the vVilcox 

ftora, and they are therefore not m~ntioned on later 

o '.rhomas, H. Fl., Roy. Soc. IJondon Phllos. Trans., vol. 213, pp. 10 Berry, E. 'V., An early Eocen(' flo rule from central Texas: U. S. 

209-363, pI. 11-15, 1925. Geol. Survey 'prof. Pap"~r 132, pp. 87-92, 1024. 
12 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

pages. This treatment is thE' more warranted because 

they do not affect the questions there considered. 

Relations of the Wilcox a;nd Ripley floras.-At the 

time that the original paper on the Wilcox was written 

the bulk of the known Upper Cretaceous plants from 

the Atlantic Coastal Plain had come from formations 

belonging to the earlier half of the Upper Cretaceous 

(Raritan,. Magothy, and Tuscaloosa formations). The 

contrast between these floras and those of the Wilcox 

was very great indeed. The few plants then known 

from the later Upper Cretaceous (Eutaw and Ripley 

formations) were too scanty and unrepresentative to 

afford any basis for discussion. 

Subsequently Bruce Wade discovered well-preserved 

and abundant plants in the Ripley, which were described in 1925.11 This Ripley flora is fairly representative. It comprises 135 species in 71 genera, 40 

families, and 28 orders, and it has an additional advantage for comparison with the Eocene flora in that 

the bulk of it comes from clay lenses deposited in 

coastal lagoons. in Henry and Carroll Counties in 

western Tennessee-that is, in the same latitude 

and the same environment in the embayment that has 

furnished the bulk of the Wilcox flora. There is thus 

an unusual opportunity for endeavoring to re'construct the evolution and immigration of plant types 

which took place in this region between the deposition 

of the Ripley and that of the Wilcox. 

The following 28 genera recorded from the Ripley 

are unknown in the Wilcox: 

Acer. 

Alismaphyllum. 

Andromeda. 

Araucaria. 

Celastrophyllum. 

Celtis. 

Cornophyllum. 

Cunninghamites. 

Dammara. 

Dio~corites. 

Doryan thites. 

Fagus. 

Geinitzia. 

Geonomites. 

Halymenites. 

Liriodendron. 

Malapoenna. 

Manihotites. 

Monheimia. 

Moriconia. 

Myrtophyllum 

Pachystima. 

Protophjrllocladus. 

Raphaelia. 

Salix. 

Selaginella. 

Taeniopteris. 

Wi dd ringtoni tes. 

Of these genera, Geonomites and 0 eltis occur in the 

later Eocene of this regiori and therefore may have 

been present during Wilcox time. In addition, the 

genera MUinihot, Negundo, and Myrcia of the Wilcox 

may have represented Manihotites, Acer, and MyrtopAyllwln of the Ripley, respectively. 

This leaves two outstanding ·contrasts between the 

Ripley and Wilcox floras. One is the survival in the 

Ripley of many Mesozoic types that apparently became 

extinct before the dawn of the Wilcox. Araucaria and 

11 Berry. E. W., The flora of the RIpley formation: tl. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 136, 1925. 

Da'l7U7Wr(}) are not extinct, being austral in existing 

floras, but disappeared from the United States during 

the Upper Cretaceous epoch. 

The second and less conspicuous element of contrast 

i~ that furnished by genera· such as Salix, Fagus, 

Liriodendron, Oornophyllu'l7~, and Andromeda, which 

are temperate genera 'with an ancient history and 

probably originated in Holarctica but were banished 

from the embayment region subsequent to Ripley time 

by the same amelioration of environmental conditions 

that permitted a very considerable invasion of the 

region by the flora from lower American latitudes. 

When the flora of the "Vilcox is compared with older 

Upper Cretaceous floras of the same region the contrast is found to be very much greater than that exhibited by the Ripley. For example, about 40 per 

cent of the genera of these earlier Upper Cretaceous 

floras are extinct, and the following genera, which 

were present in the embayment region during earljer 

Upper Cretaceous time, have not been found in the 

Wilcox: 

Abietites. 

Andromeda. 

Androvettia. 

Arnucariu. 

Bauhinia. 

Brachyphyllum. 

Celastrophyllum. 

Cephalotaxosperm um. 

Cocculus. 

Colutea. 

Cornophyllum. 

Cunninghamites. 

Cycadinocarpus. 

Dammara. 

Dermatophyllites. 

Dewalquea. 

Dicksonia. 

Doryan thi tes. 

Dryoptel'ites. 

Eorhamnidium. 

Geinitzia. 

Gleichenia. 

J ungermanni tes. 

Kalmia. 

Liriodendl'on\, 

Liriodendropsis. 

Malapoenna. 

Mallihotites. 

Marattia. 

Myrsine. 

Palaeocassia. 

Panax. 

Persoonia. 

Pinus. 

Pipel'ites. 

Podozamites. 

Populus. 

Protodammara. 

Protophy lloclad us. 

Pterospermites. 

Salix. 

Sapotacites. 

Sassafras. 

Sequoia. 

Tricalycites. 

Tumioll. 

'Viddrillgtonites. 

These genera are almost twice as many as In the 

Ri pley flora-47 as against 28-and although in both 

floras there are some uncertainties due to the presence 

of form genera of somewhat doubtful botanic affini-· 

ties, it is clear that there was a progressive modification of the floras in this region during Upper Cre-· 

taceous time. This modification consisted of a certain 

amount of evolution of new forms, a considerable 

dying out of the older Mesozoic types, and an immigration of species into the region and an emigration 

of species from it. The immigrants came chiefly from 

the ~ands to the south and consisted of warmer tem-
LOWER EOCENE FLORAS 13 

pet'ate types, which arrived in still g,reater force in 

the interval between the Ripley and the Wilcox. 

Modernization of Eocene fio1Yxs.-The terrestrial 

f1ora~ throughout the world exhibit a striking contra,st 

bctween the Upper Cretaceous and the Eocene, ,and 

this, it seems to me, is quite as marked in the plants as 

in the terrestrial vertebrates or the marine jnvertebrates. A careful analysis would be futile, because the 

subject is so obscured by differences of opinion among 

geologists and paleontologists as to the position of the 

boundary between Cretaceous and Tertiary. 

General considerations warrant the conclusion that 

in those regions where there was an interval between 

the deposition of sediments of the two periods, as 

there was in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the biotic contrasts are profound; whereas in regions where deposHion was more or less continuous or where breaks in 

sedimentation are of slight magnitude or separate 

sediments of genetic similarity, as appears to have 

been the case in the western interior, the question of 

a general boundary becomes purely academic and sub-' 

jective. 

There seems to be a rather widespread impression 

among both geologists and botanists that with the 

appearance of a considerable number of flowering 

plants (angiosperms) toward the end of the Lower 

Cretaceous time (Albian), terrestrial floras were 

rapidly transformed from Mesozoic to Cenozoic assemblages, and the statement is frequently made that 

the Upper Cretaceous floras were essentially Cenozoic 

in character. This is a most uncritical statement. It 

i3 true that a, considerable number of still existing 

types of flowering plants make their appearance in 

the geologic record during the Upper Cretaceous, and 

i { one has a weakness for making dramatic statements 

or striking generalizations-both of which are usuaUy 

false-there is a temptation' to say that the ag~ of 

flowering plants commenced in the mid-Cretaceous. 

This is a nonscientific statement of no greater exactness than the statement that the Mesozoic is the age of 

reptiles or that the Cenozoic is the age of mammals. 

Such statements may be perfectly proper as popular 

characterizations of the outstanding feature of an era 

01" period, in the same way that we commonly speak 

of the Mesozoic as the age of anunonites or the age of 

gymnosperms, but all of them are only half truths. 

I have already mentioned certain contrasts between 

the floras of Ripley and Wilcox time'. In the section 

in which the probable sources of the Wilcox flora are 

discussed (pp. 14-16) the definite points of contact bet ween Upper Cretaceous floras and those of the Eocene 

fire considered. Here I wish to give the evidence for 

the belief that the Eocene was characterized by a great 

modernization of the floras of the world. 

The evidence does not permit a conclusion as to 

whether the major factor in this modernization was 

evolutionary processes or whether it is only apparent" 

resting simply upon invasions into known areas from 

unknown areas, such, for example, as Asia on the one 

hand or tropical America on the other. Both of these 

factors were doubtless operative, but I am inclined to 

think that immigration was and is always the more 

important in enabling us to recognize seeming high 

and lo~ points in the continuously unfolding'drama 

of life. " 

That there is a well-defined basis for the statement 

of this apparent Eocene modernization of floras is 

indicated by the following list of 83 genera that are 

present in the Wilcox flora but have not yet been 

found in Upper Cretaceous floras anywhere: 

Acorus. 

Amygdalus (probably). 

Anacardites. 

Aracaeites. 

A l'tocarpoides. 

Asimina. 

Avicennia. 

Banara. 

Banisteria. 

Bprchemin,. 

Bignonicn,psula. 

Bombacites. 

Buettneria. 

Caenomyces. 

Caesalpinia. 

Calatoloides. 

Calyptranthes. 

Canavalia. 

Carapa. 

Celastrocn,rpus. 

Cera tophyll um. 

Chamaedorea. 

Cheilanthes. 

Chrysobalanus. 

Citheroxylon. 

Cladrastls. 

Clusiaphyllum. 

Coccolobis. 

Combretanthites. 

Combretum. 

Conocarpus. 

Copaifera? 

Cryptocarya. 

Cupanites. 

Dodonaea. 

Drypetes. 

Engelhardtia. 

Exostem~. 

Fagara. 

Gleditsia? 

Glyptostrobus. 

Guettarda. 

Helictoxylon. 

Heterocalyx. ' 

Hlraea. 

Icacorea. 

Kn~ghtiophyllum. 

T.Jaguncularia. 

Liquidambar (probably). 

l\Ianihot. 

May tenus. 

Melastomites. 

Melliphylloides. 

Mespilodaphlle. 

Metopium. 

Mimusops. 

Monocarpellites. 

Nipadites. 

Oreopanax. 

OSlllanthus. 

Ouratea. 

Palaeodelldroll. 

Paraengelhn,rcltia. 

Parkil1soni~. 

Pithecolobium. 

Pseudolllledia. 

Psychotria. 

Ptelea. 

pterobalanus. 

Rey~osia. 

Rubiacites. 

Rutaphyllum. 

Salvinia. 

Schefilera. 

Sicleroxylon. 

Simaruba. 

Solanites. 

Sophora. ' 

Sterculiocarpus. 

Taxodiulll. 

Terminalia. 

Va,ntanea. 

Zygophyllum? 

Some of these genera, such as 0 elaStrocarpus and 

OO'l7'l-bretanthites, may suggest duplication, but on the 
14 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

other hand these are greatly offset by such genera as 

Anacardites, jlielas t01nites , Apocynophyllu1n, Leg~(;1]Linosites, and Oa1'polith~t8, which almost certainly 

represent more than single botanic genera. 

Some of the names in the foregoing list are also 

represented by Upper Cretaceous forms that, because 

of some uncertainty of identification, have been given 

different names. Thus Oonocarpites or Manihotites 

of the Cretaceous may represent Oonoc(f)rpus and 

ill anihot of the Eocene, and Sapotacites of the Cretaceous may represent some of the Eocene genera of 

Sapotaceae. 

These possible exceptions do not, however, greatly 

affect the significance of the list, and I think that it is 

obvious, without further discussion, that the 'Vilcox 

flora is very decidedly more modern in its facies than 

any Upper Cretaceous flora in this or any other known 

region, and the general question of Eocene modernization could be made still more impressive by including 

in such a survey the known Eocene floras of the world. 

This is believed to be unnecessary in the present 

connection, but if the reader wishes to investigate this 

subject further he should compa.re the list of Ettingshausen's determinations of the lower Eocene floras of 

southern England'12 with the Inost extensive Upper 

Cretaceous floras of Europe, such as those from the Bohemian Basin,18 or, if it is objected that Ettingshausen's list are largely nomina nuda, Engelhardt's 

monograph of the Eocene flora of Hesse 14 may be 

substituted. The same results may be obtained from a . 

consideration of the Eocene floras of the Paris Basin, 

but the literature on those floras is so scattered that it 

is not easily available for rapid consultation. 

THE FLORA OF THE WILCOX GROUP 

Sources.-In a short paper published in 1919 15 I 

made a preliminary analysis of the Tertiary floras of 

the Atlantic Coastal Plain with regard to their place 

of origin and direction of radiation. The progress of 

discovery in this region has been so rapid during the 

. last fe,v years that much new material is now available, and. this has been subjected to a rather more 

critical study than was possible at the time that the 

preliminary paper was published. 

The general floral history of the Eocene of southeastern North America may be considered uncleI' two 

heads-(1) the proportion of generic types that may. 

U These were published in Royal Soc. London Pl'oc., vol. 30, 1880, 

aI~d I have reproduced them in U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 84, pp .. 

148-153, 1014. 

13 Summarized in the work of Fric, Anton, Studien im Gebiete der 

bOhmischen Kreideformation: Natunviss. Landesd. B6hmen Archiv, 

Band 11, 1901, and earlier volumes in thjs series. 

14 Engelhardt, liermann, Die alttertiiire Flora von Messel bel Darmstadt: Hessischen geol. Landesanst. Abh., Band 7, Heft 4, 1922. 

J;; Berry, E. W., Paleogeographic significance of the Cenozoic fioras 

of equutorinl America Ulld the adjl:lcent regions: Geol. Soc. America 

Bul!., vol. 29, Ill). ():31-636, 1919. 

be considered to have been indigenous in the region 

and their origin, whether immigrants from the north 

or the south or evolved in the region; (2) the more 

immediate history of the lower Eocene origin and 

immigration of such types as are not known in the 

antecedent Cretaceous floras of the embayment region. 

Complete lists of the Upper Cretaceous floras of the 

world were compiled in 1916,16 and since then several 

important papers have heen published, the more sig·. 

nificant of which are cited below.17 We are thus in a 

position to make a fairly reliable estimate of the esselltjal elements of what might be called the cosmopolitan 

floras of the northern continents toward the end of the 

1T pper Cretaceous epoch. 

The following genera 'v hich are present in the vVilcox flora may be considered as having attained a 

holarctic distribution during the Mesozoic, or at least 

in pre-vVilcox time: 

Anemia. 

Apocynophyllum. 

Aralia. 

Asplenium. 

Bumelia. 

Cinnamomum. 

Cissites. 

Dalbergia. 

Diospyros. 

Dryophyllum. 

Dryopteris. 

Equisetum. 

Ficus. 

Lycopodites. 

Magnolia. 

Marchan ti tes. 

)lenispermites. 

Myrica. 

Ol'eopanax. 

Pistia. 

Platanus. 

Proteoides. 

Pteris. 

Smilax. 

Sterculia. 

Taxites. 

Ternstroemites. 

To this list may be added the following genera, 

which, because of incomplete records, can not be 

proved to have been holarctic but which appear to 

bOelong to that northern flora: 

Acerates. 

Acorus. 

Amygdalus. 

Banksia. 

Celastl'us. 

Crotonophyllul11 . 

Cyperacites. 

Eugenia. 

Euonymus. 

Euphorbiopl1yllul11. 

Fl'axinus. 

Glyptostrobus. 

Grewiopsis. 

lIex. 

Myrcia. 

Nectandra. 

Nelumbo. 

Nyssa. 

Oreodaphllc. 

Paliurus. 

Pel'sea. 

Poacites. 

Potal11ogeton. 

Prunus. 

Pterospermites. 

Rhamnus. 

Sapindus. 

Spal'ganium. 

TaxodiYl11. 

Zizyphus. 

------------------------ 16 Berry, E. W., The Upper Cretaceous floras of the world: Maryland Geol. Survey, Upper Cretaceous, pp. 183-313, 1916. 

17 Berry, E. W., Upper Cretaceous floras of the eastern Gulf region 

in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, nnd Georgia: U. S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 112, 177 pp., 33 pIs., H119; The flora of the Ripley fOt'mation: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 136, 94 pp., 23 pIs., 1925. 

Knowlton, F. II., The Laramie flora of the Denver Basin: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper 130, 175 pp., 28 pIs., 1922; A catalogue of the 

Mesozoic and Cenozoic plants of North America: U. S. Geol. Survey 

BlIll. 606. 815 pp., 1919. 
THE FLORA OF THE WILCOX GROUP 15 

These Upper Cretaceous holarctic floras of Eurasia 

tlnd extratropical America include a considerable 

number of additional elements which have not been 

found to be represented in the "Tilcox. Among these 

the following generic types are prominent, either 

throughout or in North America: 

AceI'. 

Andromeda. 

Andl'ovettia. 

Al'nUCHl'ia. 

Aspicllophyllmll. 

Betula. 

Brncbyphyllulll. 

Celnstl'ol1hy 11 tun. 

Cocculus. 

Comus. 

Creclnerin. 

Cunninghnmites. 

Dammara. 

Dewalquen. 

l;"ngus. 

Geinitzia. 

Gleichenia. 

Hedern. 

• Juniperus. 

Lnul'us. 

Li 1'io(1e11d ron. 

Lil'iodendropsis. 

:\Iacclintockin. 

Moriconia. 

)Iyrsine. 

Nilssouia. 

OSlllunda. 

Pinus. 

Poclozamites. 

Populus'! 

Pi·-otopbyllocla(lus. 

Protophyllum. 

Pseudocycas. 

Quercus (so called). 

Salix. 

Sapotacites. 

Sassafras. 

Sequoia. 

Viburnum . 

Widdl'ingtonites. 

These genera are for the most part indicative of 

temperate climatic conditions and contain a number 

of clements and a general facies which find many close 

parallels in existing temperate rain forests. 

The physical changes that occurred in southeastern 

North America during the interval between the Cre~ 

(aceOllS ,and the Tertiary, or in the earliest Eocene, 

n<:tompanied if they were not the direct cause of the 

('xtinction of the following genera: 

And I'ovettin. 

A::;pitliopbyllull1. 

Bl'I1Chypbyllull1. 

Cl'cunerin. 

CUllllinghallli tes. 

Dewalquca. 

\:: einitzin. 

T.JiriOtlentiropsis. 

Moriconia. 

Nilssonia. 

Potlozami tes. 

Prot~pbyl10cluclus. 

Protopbyllum. 

Psendocycas. 

'l"'he genera A'rauca1'ia, Oocculus, Da1n17'W'l'a" and 

(Jleicl~enia appear to have retired toward the south 

<It thnt time. The following genera appeal' to have 

withdrawn toward the north: 

Acer. 

AIHll'omecln. 

A nlll c1o. 

Betula. 

Lil'ioc}enclroll. 

Pinus. 

POl)ulus? 

Quercns (so called). 

Comus. Salix. 

l'agus. Sassafras. 

IIedera. Sequoia. 

Junipl\l'US. Yiburnum. 

It may therefore be considered that the following 

genera represent the indigenous element in the 1Vilcox 

ilora, and that these are survivors £r0111 the essentially 

northern holarctic flora of. the late Cretaceous: 

Acerates. l\:Iul'chantites. 

Ancol'us. Menispermi tes. 

Amygc1alus. Myrcia. 

Anemia. Myrica. 

Apocynopbyllum. Nectandra. 

Aralia. Nelumbo. 

Asplenium. Nyssa. 

Bumelia. Oreodapbne. 

Celastrus. Oreopanax. 

Cinnamol11 um. PaUurus. 

Cissites. Persea. 

Crotonopbyllull1. Pistia. 

CYD€l'acites. Platanus. 

Dalbergia. Poacites. 

Diospyros. Potamogeton. 

Dryopbyllum. Proteoides. 

Dryopteris. Prunus. 

Equisetum. Pteris. 

Eugenia. Rbamnus. 

Euonymus. Supindus. 

Euphorbiophyllum. Smilax. 

Ficus. Sparganium. 

Fraxinus. Sterculia. 

Gl'ewiopsis. Taxites. 

Ilex. Tel'nstroemites. 

Lycopodites. Zizypbus. 

MagnOlia. 

These O'enera have 187 species in the Wilcox flora, b • 

ftnd although it must be' conceded that these genenc 

types were indigenous in southeastern N orth Ame~ic~, 

lnany of the species certainly were not, and thIS IS 

E;~specially true in all the more prolifically represented 

genera, such as the following: 

Celastrus. 

Dalbergia. 

Dl'YOl)byll um. 

Eugenia. 

lJ'icus. 

Menispe1'll1ites. 

MYl'cia. 

Nectandra. 

Oreodaphne. 

Oreopanax. 

Rhamnus. 

Sapiudus. 

Sterculia. 

Ternstroemites. 

These genera have 97 species in the Wilcox flora, 

and a large majority of these species undoubtedly rep~ 

resent local products of evolution or immigrants into 

the embayment area, either from the north or from 

the south. For example, in the large genus Ficu8, 

which has 22 species and varieties in the Wilcox, but 

two of these, Ficus rnississippien8is (Lesquereux) and 

FiC'U8 1nyrtifolius Berry, are represented by siI:nilar 

species in the antecedent Ripley flora of the region, 

in which they are related i'espectively to FiC'U8 coope'l'·, 

ensis Berry and Ficus carrollen8'is Berry. Ficus 

1nississippiensis is also comnlon in the late Cretaceoll;s 

and basal Eocene of the vVest. Its vVilcox varieties 

cordata and gigwntea are, however, apparently new 

products of evolution. 

AmQng the other supposed figs found in the vVilcox, . 

Ficus sp. Berry is represented in the supposed Midway 

of central Texas, and the following appear to be either 

new products of evolution or invaders of the region 
16 T.HE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

from the unknown south-which it is not possible to 

determine: 

Ficus eolignitica Berry. 

Ficus myrtifolia ovata Berry. 

Ficus pandurifolia Berry. 

Ficus puryearensis Berry. 

Ficus puryearensis elongata Berry. 

Ficus pseudocuspidata Berry. 

Ficus pseudolmediafolia Berry. 

Ficus schimperi Lesquereux (doubtful). 

Ficus tennesseensis Berry. 

Ficus vaughani Berry. 

Ficus wiIcoxensis Berry. 

The rest of the supposed figs of the Wilcox show 

the following affinities: Ficus cinnamomaides Lesqllereux is uncertain in every way, and perhaps it 

should be dropped from the literature altogether, as 

it is based upon poorly defined and subsequently lost 

material. The following are present or are represented by related forms in the pre-"Vilcox of the West: 

Ficus artocarpoides Lesquereux? 

Ficus denveriana Cockerell? 

Ficus harrisiana Hollick. 

Ficus monodon (Lesquereux) Berry. 

Ficus '1nyrtifolia ampla Berry may be a derivative 

of Ficus'stepkensoni Berry of the Upper Cretaceous 

Black Creek formation of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. 

Other Wilcox genera that are represented in the Ripley 

Cretaceous of this same region have entirely different 

species at the two horizons and are not closely affiliated. The genera in which this lack of affiliation prevails are 

Artocarpus. 

Caesalpinites. 

Euphorbiophyllum. 

Dlllenites. 

Grewiopsis. 

Myrcia. 

Zizyphus. 

The palm genus Geonomites is present in the Ripley 

Cretaceo{Js as well as in the basal Eocene of the Barrilla Mountains of western Texas and in Colorado, 

. 'Vyoming, and New Mexico. It reappears in the lower 

. Claiborne of Texas and therefore may have been a 

member of the Wilcox flora that has not yet been discovered, or it may have withdrawn from the embayment region at the end of the Ripley epoch and reinva~led the Coastal Plain from the Southwest during 

lower Eocene time. 

The following Wilcox species, which are for the 

most part equatorial types, seem to be directly related 

t.o the correspondingly p.amed Ripley species and to 

have been derived from these late Cretaceous immigrants into the embayment 'region : 

Wilcox species 

Juglans schimperi Lesquereux __ 

Capparis eocenica Berry ___ . ___ _ 

Mimosites lanceolatus Berry __ _ 

Dalbergia eocenica Berry _____ _ 

Dalbergia wilcoxiana Berry ___ _ 

Ancestral Ripley species 

J uglans tennesseensis Berry. 

Capparis proeocenica ·Berry. 

Mimosites cooperensis Berry. 

Dalbergia perryana Berry. 

Dalbergia prewilc oxian a 

Berry. 

Wilcox species 

Gleditsiophyllum eocenicum 

Berry. 

Gleditsiophyllum ovatum Berry _ 

Cedrela wilcoxiana Berry _____ _ 

Ternstroemites preclaibornensis 

Berry. 

Ternstroemites eo Ii gni tic u s 

Berry. 

Cinnamomum affine LesquereuxAncestral Ripley species 

Gleditsiophyllum proeocenicum Berry. 

Gleditsiophyllum • preovatulll 

Berry. 

Cedrela prewilcoxiana Berry. 

Ternstroemites ripleyensis 

Berry. 

Ternstroemites c ret ace us. 

Berry. 

Cinnamomum newberryi 

Berry. 

C~nnamomum buchii Heer _ _ _ _ _ Cinnamomum praespectabile 

Berry. 

N ectandra pseudocoriacea Berry _ Laurophy Hum rip 1 eye n sis 

Myrcia vera Berry ___________ _ 

Myrcia grenadensis Berry _____ _ 

Acerates wilcoxiana Berry _____ _ 

B umelia wil.coxiana Berry _____ _ 

Apocynophyllum crassum Berry_ 

Berry. 

Myrcia havanensis Berry. 

Myrcia dubia Berry. 

Acerates cretacea Berry. 

Bumelia prewilcoxiana Berry. 

Apocynophyllum giganteum 

Berry. 

Apocynophyllum wilcoxense Apocynophyllum ripleyense 

Berry. Berry. 

Canavalia eocenica Berry ______ Leguminosites canavalioides 

Berry. 

Of the 83 genera that have already been enumerated 

as having made their appearance in the geologic record in the Wilcox sediments, the following 51, or over 

60 per cent, are tropical in their modern affinities and 

probably also in their a,ncestry, and they may therefore be considered to have invaded North America 

from equatorial America: 

Anacardites. 

Araceaeites. 

Avicennia. 

Banara. 

Banisteria. 

Bignonicapsula. 

Bombacites. 

Buettneria. 

Caesalpinia. 

Cala toloides . 

Calyptranthes. 

Canavalia. 

Oarapa. 

Chamaedorea. 

Chrysobalanus. 

Citharexylon. 

Clusiaphyllum. 

Coccolobis. 

Combretum. 

Conocarpus. 

Copaifera? 

Cryptocarya. 

. Cupanites. 

Dodonaea. 

Drypetes. 

Exostema. 

Fagara. 

Guettarda. 

Heterocalyx. 

Hiraea. 

Icacorea. 

Laguncularia. 

May tenus. 

Meniphylloides. 

Mespilodaphne. 

Metopium. 

Mimusops . 

Osmanthus. 

Ouratea. 

Pithecolobium. 

Pseudolmedia. 

Psychotria. 

Renyosia. 

Scheffiera. 

Sideroxylon. 

Simaruba. 

Solanites. 

Sophora. 

Terminalia. 

Vantanea. 

Zygophyllum? 

These genera have 106 Wilcox species. 

Present composition of the Wilcow flora.-The Wilcox flora with the addition~ made to it in the present 

contribution now numbers 543 species in 180 genera, 
THE FLORA OF THE WILCOX GROUP 17 

82 families, and 43 orders. The table of distribution 

gives II completely revised list of the flora, taxonomi-

~E: 11y arranged. 

The orders with the largest number of families 

represented are the Rosales and Sapindales, with 6 

families each; the Ranales and Parietales, with 5 

each; the Rutales, Malvales, and Myrtales, with 4 each; 

the Gentianales and Personales, with 3 each; and the 

PolYPodiales, Coniferales, Graminales, U rticales, Malpjghiales, Rhamnales, Umbellales, and Ebenales, with 

:2 each. The remainder have but a single family each. 

The families with the largest number of genera represented are the Caesalpiniaceae and Lauraceae, with 

9 genera each; t.he Polypodiaceae, with 7; the Rhamnaceae, with 6; the Papilionaceae, Sterculiaceae, and 

Combretaceae, with 5 each; the Cupressinaceae, Areeaceae, J uglandaceae, Moraceae, Proteaceae, MimosRceae, Rutaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Celastraceae, Sapotaceae, and Rubiaceae, with 4 each; the Araceae, Ana-

('ardiaceae, Sapindaceae, Myrtaceae, and Araliaceae, 

with 3 each; and the Schizaeaceae, Anonaceae, Hamamelidaceae, Drupaceae, Meliaceae, Malpighiaceae, 

Oleaceae, Apocynaceae, and Verbenaceae, with 2 each. 

The rest have but'a single genus each. ' 

The genera having the largest number of species, 

wi th their specific representation,' are the following: 

Carpolithus _____________ 33 Cedrela___ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ __ 6 

Ficus ______________ :. ____ 22 Celastrus ________________ 6 

lLeguminosites ___________ 22 Cinnamomum _______ .____ 6 

Cassia __________________ 14 Diospyros _______________ 6 

Sapindu& ________________ 10 Myrcia_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6 

Anacardites _____________ 9 Rhamnus _______________ 6 

Apooynophyllum___ __ _ __ _ 9 Calycites____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 

Gleditsiophyllum_________ 8 Dalbergia_______________ 5 

Nectandra_ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ 8 Dillenites_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ____ _ 5 

Oreodaphne _____________ . 8 Dryophyllum____________ 5 

Antholithes ______________ '7 Mimosites_______________ 5 

Bumelia ________________ 7 P1sonia _________________ 5 

Caenomyces___ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6 

It should be noted that the following are form 

genera and probably represent more than a single 

botanic genus: Anac(}ff'dites, Antholithes, Apocyno-

'Phyllu'11~, Oalycites, Oarpo lithus , Oaenomyce8, Dillenites, Gleditsiophyllwm, Legwminosites, and Mimosites. 

This is certainly true of such form genera as Antholithes, Oalycites, Oa1'poUthus, and Legwminosites. 

There is also probably some duplication in giving 

separate names to leaves and fruits, as in the genera 

Ficus, Oinna'11w'11~um, and Diospyros. 

'Vhen this flora is considered from the angle of 

the number of species described in single families and 

orders, we obtain the following figures: 

The 14 largest orders have the following relative 

fpecific representation: 

Rosales_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 92 Rutales_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 17 

Sapindales _____________ 44 Ranales ________________ 14 

Laurales _______________ 39 Umbellales _____________ 14 

Rhamnales_ __ __ ___ __ __ _ 36 Gelltianales _______ ,_ _ _ _ _ 14 

Urticales__ ___ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ 32 Polypodiales _______ ,. _ _ _ _ 13 

Myrtales____ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ 26 Pa.rietales_ _ ____ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ 13 

Ebenales _______________ 20 Juglandales ____________ 10 

The 20 largest families have the following relative 

specific representation: 

Lauraceae _____________ _ 

Caesalpiniaceae ____ ::. ___ _ Moraceae _____________ _ 

Papilionaceae __________ _ 

Rhamnaceae ___________ _ 

Sapindaceae ___________ _ 

39 Combretaceae_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 11 

33 Juglandaceae___________ 10 

28 Sterculiaceae_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10 

17 Araliaceae____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10 

17 Apocynaceae___________ 10 

17 Celastraceae___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10 

Mimosaceae____________ 14 

Sapotacea~------------- 14 

Anacardiaceae_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 11 

Polypodiaceae_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ 9 

Arecaceae______________ 7 

Rutaceae_____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ 7 

Myrtaceae_____________ 11 Meliaceae _____________ _ 7 

The relative standing of the first 6 families is the 

same in this list as in that given in 1916,t8 when the 

known Wilcox flora was much smaller, showing that 

there is a considerable reliability to such statistics. 

Thus, as plants are now segregated into families the 

Lauraceae is the largest, but if the number of species 

of the three leguminous families which are represented 

in the Wilcox are combined with the species of Leguminosites, the Leguminosae has 86 species and is by 

far the largest alliance in the -Wilcox, even when allowance is made for the fact that there is obvious 

duplication of leaves and fruit and probably more 

lLominal leaf species recognized than there were botanic species, because of our lack of knowledge of the 

] imits of foliar varia'tion in this alliance. The Leguminosae are at the present time the most numerous 

alliance of the Choripetalae and, except for the Compositae, the largest angiospermous group. In view 

of the multiplicity of species of Compositae that I 

believe were certainly of post-Eocene origin, there is 

considerable evidence for believing that the Leguminosae was the largest alliance of flowering plants during Eocene time. This conclusion would seem to have 

some bearing on the geniality of climate during the 

Wilcox epoch, for in existing floras the Leguminosae 

is the largest angiospermous alliance in the British 

West Indies, Porto Rico, Celebes, and British Guiana. 

Relative abundance of Wilcox species.-The differ-

(;nces in exte.nt to which the several plant-bearing 

outcrops of the Wilcox have been studied and the 

great differences in preservation of the plants from 

different outcrops, as well as the obvious selective 

effect of maceration and trituration, precluded the 

keeping of any reliable statistics of the individual 

nbundance of species at the different localities, al15 U. ~. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 78, 1916. 
18 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

though usually notes were kept of those which are 

most and least abundant. This is less regrettable because such a statistical record is open to serious objection in that it can not-take into account the circumstances of preservation, for obviously leaves of a few 

trees of a single species dropped into a single pool 

from which any great number of other species were· 

excluded by reason of their absence from the immediate locality would convey an altogether erroneous idea 

of the relative abundance of that species. 

Thus M eniphylloides tennesseensis and N elu7nbo 

l)rotot'lttea are present at but a single one of the 132 localities, and both are exceedingly abundant at these 

10calities. I can not believe that the former grew 

only in the vicinity of Cottage Grove, Tenn., or the 

latter only ·at Meridian, Miss. I would expect the 

N elu1nbo to have been present in almost any Wilcox 

pond or slow stream, but it so happens that the locality at Meridian was either the only one where the 

species has been preserved or the only one where it 

has been discovered. Similarly Oreopanax oxfordensis is known from but two localities in the vVilcoxOxford, Miss;, and Benton, Ark., 200 miles distant as 

the crow flies and approximately 300 miles apart along 

the vVilcox coast-and yet it is one of the mQst 

abundant species at the first locality ·and must have 

been present along at least this 300 miles of Wilcox 

coast. 

Instances of this sort might be multiplied, but I 

think that it is obvious without citing others that any 

method based upon the relative abundance of species 

at a single outcrop or a few outcrops is likely to give· 

unreliable results regarding the d~minant members of 

a flora. 

A more reliable method is, I believe, to consider 

those species as commonest in a fossil flora which 

occur at the largest number of localities, particularly 

if these localities are widely scattered geographically. 

Naturally environmental location, accessibility of preserving sediments, codaceous or perishable nature of 

the leaves, and similar features will be factors, but the 

weight to be attached to them will be reduced to a 

minimum if the localities are numerous and varied 

as regards their particular mode of origin. For example, leaves of Fi0U8 myrtifoUa and GOJpp:aris 

eocenica, which are very durable, have been found 

at 15 and 18 loqalities respectively, but all these localities are confined to the eastern shores of the WilcoxMississippi embayment, and I believe that this indicates that these species were entirely absent or exceedingly rare along the western shores of the embayment, or else they would have been detected in the 

material from some one of the 38 plant-bearing 

localities scattered from Arkansas to the Mexican 

bordel~. 

I have therefore sought to obtain the dominant 

members of the vVilcox flora by preparing a list of 

all forms found at 10 or more localities. To a certain 

extent these forms have been successfully fossilized 

because they grew in available situations; the durabjlity of their leaves is a factor, and accidents of discovery play a small part; nevertheless, this method is 

the nlOst trustworthy available. 

The total number of Wilcox species occurring at 

10 or more localities is 46. These species represent 

22 different families and the following 17 natural 

orders: Arecales, Juglandales, Fagales, Urticales, Proteales, Ranales, Papaverales, Rosales, Rutales, ~Ial~ 

pighiales, Sapindales, Rhamnales, Malvales, Parie~ 

tales, Laurales, Myrtales, and Gentianales. The Laurales lead, with 10 species out of the 46; the Rosales 

are second, with 7 species; the Sapindales are third, 

with 5; and the Gentianales are fourth, with 4. In 

the vVilcox'flora as a whole the Lauraceae is the largest 

family and the Rosales the largest order, so that the 

most widely represented orders are those with the 

largest number of 1Vilcox species. All these dominant 

species are angiosperms; there are no conifers, ferns, 

or lower plants present at as many as 10 localities; 

and if the relative durability of coniferous cones and 

foliage is considered, it must be admitted that the 

conifers were an inconspicuous element in the Wilcox 

flora and that in the low, wet vVilcox coastal regions; 

which were seemingly admirably suited to the cypress 

(Taxodium), it grew much less abundantly than in 

the Miocene, Pliocene, Pleistocene, and Recent Coastal 

Plain region. 

Only one monocotyledon appears on the list-Sabalites rJ1'ayamus. It has been found at 40 localities and 

at all horizons in the Wilcox and along the Wilcox 

coast from the State of Mississippi around the head 

of the embayment and along its west coast to Texas. 

As this species occurs also outside the Wilcox area, it . 

must be considered a long-lived and dominant form, 

and its ubiquity also suggests that its habits were like 

our modern Sabal PIG;Zm.etto, which frequents sandy 

soil near the coast from North Carolina to western 

Florida. It is possible that S(])ba;lites grayaYnus represents more than a single botanic species. The determination rests on leaves and leaf fragments, which 

show minimal specific characters, but no differential 

criteria have been found among the large number of 

specimens of Sabalites grayanus seen. It differs 

greatly in abundance at different localities but tends 

to be common. At Puryear, Tenn., it is common imInediately below the richest fossiliferous clay; at Oxford, Miss., the clay exposed in the ravine contains 

hundreds of large leaves. 

A species also represented at 40 widely distributed 

localities is Nect[Lndra pseudocoriacea. The number 
• 

THE FLORA OF THE WILOOX GROUP 19 

o.f individual specimens is greater than tho.se Qf the 

palm, dQubtless because Qf its small, cQriaceQus leaves. 

ObviQusly such leaves resist decay, but selective tritul'atiQn can hardly aCCQunt fQ~' their ubiquity, fQr they 

baye -extended acuminate apices and bases~ and these 

are rarely brQken Qff, as they WQuld be if the leaves 

had had rQugh usage in the waters that depQsited the 

,\VilcQX sediments. 

The third Qn the list is Dryophyllul1~ te1'llMsseense, 

which is fo.und at 39 widely distributed IQcalities and 

is' the mo.st abundant fo.rm at many individual 

o.utcrQPs. It is Qne o.f the CQmmQnest types in the great 

variety Q:f fQrms fQund at Puryear, Tenn., and \S 

equally commo.n at a gr.eat many o.ther IQcalities. I 

can think o.f no. reaSQn fQr dQubting that it was pne 

Qf the mQst abundant and widespread types during 

,\VilcQX time. 

Next in abundance is Sapindus linea1'ifolius, which 

o.ccurs at 32 localities and dQubtless represents a widespread seashQre species. Detailed co.mment is probably unnecessary fQr the remainder Qf the list. All 

were dQubtless CQmmQn strand plants. The LeguminQsne nrc represented by seven species, Sophora 

uilcoroiana being seventh Qn the list, Mimosites variabilis twelfth, Oassia fayettensis thirteenth, Gleditsiopl~yllu'ln eocenicu'l1~ nineteenth, Oassia glenni twentyfifth, Oatnavalia eocenica twenty-sixth, and Oassia 

pU1'Yea'rensis fQrtieth. There are three spe.cies Qf figs 

Qn the list, fQur species Qf Sapinillus, three ApQcynQphyllums; a Oed1'ela, an Anona, a Magnolia, and two. 

Banksins. 

The fo.llQwing five species are co.nfined to. the eastern 

shQres Qf the embayment, where they have been fQund 

at 10 to. 18 IQcalities: Oapparis eocenica, Ficus myrti-: 

folia, Oassia glenni, Oassia puryea1'ensis, and Oedrela 

'l.oilcoroiana. They serve to. emphasize a cQnsiderable 

flQral difference between the two. shQres of the embaynlent, which will be discussed in the sectiQn devQted to. 

. that tQpic. 

The list Qf dQminant WilcQX species, with the number Qf IQcalities at which each has been fQund, fQllQws: 

.WUcox species founcE at .10 or more locaHHes 

NumlH'L' of localities 

Sabnlites grnynnus ________ 40 

Nectnndl'n pseudocorlacea_ 40 

Dl'yo])hyllull1 tennesseense_ 39 

Snplntlus linenrifoUus ____ 32 

EuOnY~~lS splendens______ 81 

Apocynopbyllulll snpincli- folium ________________ ..: 2S 

Sophora wilcoxinna_______ 27 

Ficus mississippiensis_____ 24 

Snpindus formosus ________ 24 

Oreodaphne obtusifolius ___ 23 

Ncctnndra lnncifol1n ______ 22 

Number of localiti'es 

Mimosites varinbilis ______ 20 

Cassia, fayettensis ________ 19 

Oreodaphne mississippiensis_____________________ 19 

Sapindus eolignitica ______ 19 

Cappal'is eocenicn _________ 18 

Eng e lhal'dtin ettingshnuseni____________________ 18 

Ba111\:sia saffordL _________ 16 

Gleclitsiol)hyIlulU eo c e n i- cum ___________________ 16 

Mespilociaphne eolignitica_ 16 

Wilcox s]Jcc!es found at 10 01· morc locaUt1es-Continued 

Number of 

localities 

Juglans sch.impel'L _______ 15 

J!"icus myrtifolia __________ 1[; 

li'icus puryearensis ________ 1[; 

Banksia tenuifolitL _______ 1[; 

Cassia glennL ____________ 1[; 

Cnnavnlia eocenica ________ 13 

Anonn amp1n _____________ 14 

Cedre1a wilcoxianu _______ 1-1 

Sap.indus mississippiensis_ 14 

Grewiopsis tennesseensis __ 1-1 

Nectandra 10wiL _________ 1-.1 

ApocynophyllulU mississippiense ________________ ..: 14 

Rhamnites knowltonL ____ 1:3 

Me1astomites verus _______ 1:3 

Ol'eoC\aphne pseudoguianensis_____________________ 12 

Number of 

localities 

Magnolia angustifolia _____ 11 

Mespilodaphne coushntta __ 11 

ApOCYllOl.hyllulll \\" i J cox - ense ___________________ 11 

Dl'yophyllum l1ul'yearense- 10 

,Cassia puryearensis ______ 10 

.Ballisteria pseudolaul'i- folia ___________________ 10 

Metopium wilco~ianum---- 10 

Ternstroemites eoligniticus- 10 

Cinnamomum oblongatullL 10 

Mespilodaphne p s e-ll do - glauca _________________ 10 

Myrcia bentonensis-______ 10 

Wide-ranging Wilcoro species.-I have brQught tQgether in the fQllQwing list the vVilcQX lQcalities frQm 

which 25 Qr mQre species have been identified. It is 

of interest, as bearing on the chrQnQIQgic range of 

the several WilcQX florules, that there is Qnly Qne IQcality with Qver 25' species that is referred to. t~e Ackerman fQrmation. This lQcality is Hurleys, ~~hss., frQm 

which 32 species have been recQrded. Only three 

localities-Grenada, CQttage GrQve, and the lQcality 

5 miles sQuthwest Qf WillistQn-are referred to the 

Grenada fQrmatiQn, and these have yielded 57, 38, and 

25 species, respectively. The remaining IQcalities, except N aborton, Mansfield, and CQushatta in LQuisiana, 

and Nevada CQunty in Arkansas, which are alQng the 

western shQre Qf the Mississippi embaYlnent and 

which are nQt precisely allQcated stratigraphically 

more definitely than that they are upper and nQt 

lower WilcQx, are IQcalities in the HQlly Springs sanrl 

along the eastern shQre Qf the Mississippi embayment, 

and all but three Qf these-two in Mississippi and one 

in Kentucky-are in western Tennessee. 

The mQst prolific IQcality, indeed the mQst prQlific 

single IQcality for fQssil plants of any age 0.1' in any 

regiQn that I knQw, is that at Puryear, Henry CQunty, 

Tenn. Here 205 different fQrms have been identified 

frQm a single clay lens. The variety fQund here is 

partly due to the completeness Qf preservatiQn Qf all 

sorts Qf plant fragments, LQth large and- small; it is 

also partly due to. the very exhaustive collecting, the 

owners Qf the prQperty having furnished facilities for 

splitting tQns Qf the clay as it passed frQm the pit to. 

the PQttery. This is Qnly a partial explanatiQn of th~ 

prQfusiQn Qf forms discQvered, however, fQr eaeh subsequent visit has resulted in adding new species, and 

Qne is fQrced to cQnclude that an unusual variety Qt 

fQrms grew in this vicinity and were preserved in the 

sediments of the Puryear lagoQn. 
• 

20 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

No other locality has yielded as many as 100 species, 

but I have no doubt that if the clays exposed at Mill 

Creek and Bolivar or in unworked pits, such as the 

Grable, Atkins, and LaGrange pits, were being mined, 

so that the collector could examine an amount of 

material comparable to that examined a;t Puryear, the 

number of species discovered .would be comparable .. 

Localities in the Wilcoa1 with more than 25 species 

Puryear ________________ 205 

Mill Creek_ ____________ 87 

Bolivar________________ 75 

Grable pit______________ 61 

Grenada_______________ 57 

La Grange_____________ 56 

Naborton _____ .__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 54 

Thompson & Barksdale 

prospect_____________ 45 

2.9 miles southwest of 

Somerville_____ ______ _ 43 

Jim Tomphson farm_____ 42 

~ansfield______________ 40 

Holly Springs_ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 39 

Cottage Grove__________ 38 

Shandy________________ 38 

U mile northwest of Pattersonville____ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ 34 

Clover Creek_ __ _ _ ___ _ _ _ 33 

Hurleys __________ ~ _ _ _ _ _ 32 

Tay.lor farm___ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ 32 

Will Brooks farm _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 32 

Coushatta____ _ _ __ __ ___ _ 36 

1~ miles west of Grand 

Junction_____________ 29 

Early Grove____________ 28 

Atkins piL_____________ 28 

Nevada County locality __ 28 

Wickliffe__ __ ____ _ __ _ _ _ _ 26 

5 miles southwest of Williston ______________ ~_ 25 

. TVilcow speC'ies found at but (J; single locality.-The 

\Vilcox species which have been recognized at but a 

single locality number 213. The list of these species is 

instructive. Thirty-seven forms belong to the Leguminosae, and my conclusion from this would be that 

species have probably been overrefined in this alliance and that several are probably foliar variants of 

more widely distributed forms. That there were not 

anything like 200 species of local occurrence in the 

Wilcox is made clear when attention is called to the 

nature of the remains upon which at least half of these 

213 nominal species are founded. Thus there. are· 38 

species based upon flowers or fruits that would not be 

expected to occur except under special conditions, and 

these, to a certain extent at lel;tst, duplicate species 

founded on foliar remains. 

These 38 forms are in addition to 9 forms referred 

to Antholithes, 5 referred to Oalyoites, and 29 referred 

. to Oarpolithw, which again undoubtedly represent 

some duplication and which would. not be expected at 

numerous localities. For example, but 10 of the 39 

species of Owp-olithus have been found at more than 

one locality. 

There are five forms of spot fungi, which were 

doubtless widespread but which I usually ignored 

unless they were especially well characterized. There 

a re six ferns, and these, as well as the M (Jff'ohantites 

and Lycoporlites, must be regarded as accidents of 

preservation· and discovery rather than as indicating a 

restricted distribution.. Two represent petrified wood 

and probably reflect the number of sections cut rather 

than the range of the species concerned. 

Forms like the Pistia, Trapa, and N elw.mbo represent special environmental conditions. Dryophryllwm 

juvenaUs is frankly a young leaf of one of the commoner species, the three Laurophyllum.s represent 

simply different stages of ·development, OinnamOWUl11J 

obovatwm is obviously pathologic, and a great many 

are probably foliar variants of more- common species. 

A certain number, however, do not appear to represent any of the categories mentioned above but show 

evidence of being species of uncommon occurrence and 

narrow range. These are 

Ficus eolignitica. 

A,racia wilcoxensis. 

Inga puryearensis. 

Hymenaea eocenica. 

Hynienaea wilcoxiana. 

CitrophyllulU bifoliolatum. 

Citrophyllum wilcoxianulU. 

Fagara eocenica. 

Fagara hurleyensis. 

Fagara puryearensis. 

Drypetes prela terifiora. 

Anacardites serratus. 

Ile'x eoHgnitica. 

Negundo knowltoni. 

Sap-indus coushatta. 

Paliurus angustus. 

Pal·urus pinsonensis. 

Hhamnus puryearensis. 

Buettneria eocenica. 

Dillenites serratus. 

Clusiaphyllum eoceniculll. 

Cryptocarya eolignitica. 

Nectandra parvula. 

Eugenia puryearensis. 

Myrcia puryearensis. 

Melastomites ovatus. 

Bumelia grenadensis. 

M:musops sieberifolia. 

Sideroxylon premasti choclendrone 

Diospyros asper. 

Apocynophyllull1 crassum. 

WilOOa1 species found at bu,t a single locality 

Caenoymces (5 species). 

Marchantites stephensoni. 

Lycopodites? eoligniticus. 

Lygodium hastatafOl'me. 

Acrostichum sp. 

Asplenium burleyellse. 

Cheilanthes eocenica. 

Dryopteris cladophleboides. 

Meniphylloides tennesseensis. 

Zamia mississippiensis. 

Zamia tennesseeana. 

Athrotaxis? eolignitica. 

Cupressinoxylon calli. 

Cyperacites minutus. 

Cyperacites wilcoxen sis. 

Potamogeton fructus. 

Potamogeton? glticki. 

Araceaeites friteli. 

Acorus heeri. 

Pi,stia wilcoxensis. 

Sparganiull1 sp. 

Palmocarpon d. P. sessile. 

Phyllites wilcoxen sis. 

Hicoria antiquorull1. 

Juglans saffordiana. 

Dryophyllum amp~um. 

Dryophyllum juvenale. 

Planera? crenata. 

Ficus eOlignitica. 

Ficus fructus. 

Aristolochia wilcoxiana. 

Coccolobis eol1gnitica. 

I Piaonia fructifera. 

Pison~a praejacksoniana. 

Asimina leiocarpa. 

Menispermites cebathoicles. 

Menispermites wilcoxen sis. 

Ceratopbyllull1 incel'tulll. 

Nelumbo protolutea. 

Acacia wilcoxen sis. 

Inga puryearensis. 

Pithecolobium'l tenLlesseense. 

Cuesalpini'es bcntonensis. 

Cassia lowii. 

Cassia bolivarensis. 

Cassia nictitanioicles. 

Cassia glenni vnr. 

Cassia robertsi. 

Copaifera? wilcoxialla. 

Gleditsiopbyllu1l1 COllstrictulll. 

Gleditsiophyllu1l1 ellipticulll. 

Gleditsiophyllum entadafor·me. 

Gleditsiophyllum hilgardianum. 

GleclitsiophyllUlD ovatull1. 

Cryptocarya eolignitica. 

Nectandra parvula. 

Oreodaphne wilcoxensis. 

Persea fructifera. 

Laurus bardemanensis. 

Laurus versus. 

Laurophyllum fiorum. 

Laurophyllum juYenale. 

Laurophyllum preflorum. 

Eugenia den!':inervia. 

Eugenia hilgardiana. 
THB FLORA OF THE WILCOX GROUP 21 

Eugellia l'ul'y('al'(:,l\~i:-:. 

Myrein IHll'yelll't'I\~ls. 

Tcrlllinulin w.iJC(lXi:l1lH. 

rl'ra Pll wilcoxeJl~if.:. 

1\1('1 a ~t:01l11 tl'S OY:I tus. 

Al'alln jor~('mil:'l\i. 

A I'alia '! ~('lIIilla. 

OI'poplIIlax millol·. 

~<.:lll'flh·l'u elJipticll. 

Ny:::sa (·Ul'la. 

Nrs!-m tPJlII(·:-:SI'\·'II:-:i~. 

BUlllC'lia ~1.'l'IIHdellsi~. 

HUIl1l'1 in hUl'll''y\,lIsi~. 

Bunwliu I'~t'udoltol'l'ida. 

BUllIOlill llSl'uflolreioidl'S. 

II~'mennca eocellicn. 

1I.\'Illennen wllcoxinJlH. 

Olntll'llstis cocenicn. 

) )nllJl'rgia II t:t:enuutus. 

])llllJel'~ill llIollospermoides. 

DlI1lJer~ia tcnlle8secnsis. 

DnllJel'gites oYntus. 

SOl)llol'a Ip~quel'euxi. 

T.JC'g'llIninositps (14 species). 

OHl'opllyl\l1\l1 lJifoliatulII. 

CitTOphyl\ulII wilcoxillIlU\l1. 

l~'nglll'a ('ocelliea. 

]j'nga I'll h U 1·lcyellsis. 

:b'n ~n I'U IHl ryen I't:'nsi:-;. 

l'teleu ("Ol'l'ltiell. 

Rntlll'hylJnl\1 trifolintlllll. 

Z,\'gophylJnlll,? eocellicu1l1. 

Simfll'ubit:ps l'ocenicus. 

Ocdl'da tni:-:si~s'PJliensi~ mnj(ll·. 

Hnllist'C'1'i1l fl'uctnosn. 

HUllist:el'ill l'ellnndifolin. 

Cl'otollophyllUlIl aJ)l)endicula1'Iun. 

Cl'otollophyllulll eoccnicul11. 

DI',YJ1el:es pl'clntC'l'iflol'n. 

);:uJlhol'lJiophyll 111\1 fn yettellse. 

1\[nlllhol: cocenicn. 

Alln<..'tu·dites incquiJut:el'ulis. 

AIlUCIl1'(lltes sen'ntm~. 

I1C'x ntlilli:-;. 

IIt'X eoligllit:icu. 

Oelnstru~ b()1ivnl·ensi~. 

OelastTu~ 1J1'UCklllaUllifolia. 

Euoll'ymus? fructescells. 

Nt:'gu11(10 lmowltolli. 

Dodonaen knowltoni. 

Dodonnea pal'vuln. 

Sapindus cousbattn. 

Snpindus fl'tlctif\:'rus. 

Oulatoloides cocelliculll. 

PuLiul'u~ :Illgu:-;tn~. 

Paliul'us pinsonensis. 

Reyuosia pl'llelll11lt"in longepet.iolata. 

H.hamnites lJerchellliafonnis. 

H.hfllllnus puryenrellsis. 

GI'cwiopsls wndii. 

i\1onocal'pe1lites pCl'kinsi. 

Buettnerin eocellicn. 

Helictoxylon wilcoxianum. 

Ptel'OS11crmites cf. P. minor. 

Stel'culin znvulnwl. 

Stel'CUliOCHl'l)US seznnnelloic1es. 

Dil1enites serratus. 

Olusiaphyllulll eoceniCUlll. 

Cinnulllomulll obOyatulll. 

i\1imusops siebel'ifolin. 

Sidcl'oxylon 111'emnstichodelldron. 

Diospyrus HSpel'. 

Diospyl'oS mndiSflnen~is. 

Diospyl'oS sp. 

l!",'raxinus wilcoxi anll. 

Apocynophyllum ~rnSSUlll. 

Apocyno11hyllulll ptll·vululH. 

ApocynophylIu11l pl'e11hllniel':\. 

Ayieenllin t'ocellica. 

Solanites sapol'tnna. 

Solnnites snrl'flchnfol'mis. 

Bignonicapsuln formosa. 

Psycho tria gl'andifolin. 

RulJincites pe1liciel'nfol'mis. 

Antholithes (9 species; nil). 

Calrci tes (5 species; fill). 

Cnrpolithus (29 species; 10 

n t more than one locality). 

pterobnlnnus texnllUS. 

Phyllites (3 species). 

Flo'l'a of the Aclce'lVJnan fO'l''lnalion.-N 0 detailed exnminat.ion of the outcrop of the Ackel'ma.n formation 

hns been mnde. The three localities in northeastern 

:Mississippi from which fossil plants are reported were 

discovcred by HilgHrd many years ago, and I have visited but one of these-that at Hurleys. Consequently 

the number of plants reported from the formation is 

small and would doubtless be greatly increased by 

field studies. 

'rhe known flora of the Ackenna.n formation numbers but 36 species. This is less thun one-fourth the 

Humber known from the Grenada, formation and 

about one-tenth that of the Holly Springs sand. It 

is In,irly well clish'ibllted, however, for these few species represcnt 18 families in 1G orders. Only the 

orders Ranales and n1yrtales are represented by more 

than a single family, and both these have 2 families 

present. The Lauraceae, with 6 species, is the largest 

family, and the Moraceae is second, with 5 species. 

There are 3 ferns, a palm, 5 figs, and a single member of the Leguminosae supposed to represent the 

family Caesalpiniaceae. No species of Sapindus have 

been discovered. 

Of the 36 species 9 are restricted to the Acke1'lnan 

formation, 4 are common to the Midway ( ~) of central 

Texas, 25 extend up into the Holly Springs sand, and 

14 certainly and 3 doubtfully are found in the Grenada 

formation. Twelve are identical with and two others 

are closely related to species found in the Raton formation of Colorado and New l\1exico. This serves .to 

emphasize the somewhat more ancient facies of the 

Ackerman flora as compured with those of the later 

'Vilc0x, as the Raton formation is somewhat older 

t.han the 'Vilcox. 

Ji'lo1'a Of the A.ckerman f01'maUon 

Asplenium eoligniticum _____ ---- ---- - ___________ X ___ _ Asplenium hurleycnse ______ X ____________ (0) _______ _ Asimina leiocarpa __________ X _______________________ _ 

Bumelia hurleyensis ________ X _______________________ _ 

Bumelia pseudotenax ______ ---- ---_ X _______________ _ Chamaedorea dallaL _______________ X ____ (a) _______ _ 

Combretulll ovale _________ ---- ---- X (?) X _______ _ Cordia? lowii _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X _______________________ _ 

Dillenites ovatus __________ ---- ________ (?) ___________ _ 

Dryophyllum mooriL ______ ---- ---- X (?) X _______ _ Eugenia hilgardiana ________ X _______________________ _ 

Fagara hurleyensis _________ X _______________________ _ 

Ficusmississippiensis ______ ---- ____ X X X X X 

Ficus monodolL ___ - - - _ - _ - - - - - - - - - - X X X 1_ - - - - - - - Ficus occidentalis ______ - _ - - - - - - X - - - - - _ - - X X - - __ Ficus puryearensis _________ ---- ---- X X ___________ _ 

Ficus schimperL ______ - _ - - - - - - - - - - X X X _______ _ 

Gleditsiophyllum hilgardia- nulll ___________________ X _______________________ _ 

Lygodit!ll1 bi!lervatUll1 _____ X ____ 1 ____ ---- ---- ---- ----

Magnolia leeL ________ - __ - - - - - - - - - X - _ _ _ X _______ _ 

Mespilodaphne eolignitica_._ ---- ---_ X X ___________ _ Mimusops eolignitica ______ :.. ---- ____ X _______________ _ 

Myrcia bentonensis ________ ---- ---_ X X ________ - __ _ Myrcil1 elaeanoides ____ - ___ - - - - - - - _ X ____________ - __ _ 

Nectandra lancifolia _______ ---- ---- X X X - ___ - __ _ N ectandra pseudocoriacea _ - - - - - - - - _ X X ________ - - - _ Oreodaphne mississippiensis_ - - - - - - _ _ X X ___________ _ Oreodaphne obtusifolia _____ ---- -- __ X X ___________ _ Oreodaphne purycarensis ___ ---- ---- X _______________ _ Osmanthus pedatus ________ ---- ---- X X X ____ - __ _ 

Pisonia chlorophylloides ____ X ---- ---- ---- ---- ____ 1 ___ _ 

Rhamnus marginatus ______ ---- ___ ..: X ____________ - __ _ 

Rhamnus marginatl1s ttpicu- latus ___________________ ---- (?) X X .. _______ - __ _ 

Terminalia hilgardiana _____ ---- X X X X ----I X Terminalia lcsleyana _______ ---- X X X X ____ - __ _ 

Zizyphus meigsiL __________ ---- -- __ X _____ X __ ~--= 

G Closely related species. 

FlO1'a of the Holly Springs sand.-The flora found 

in the Holly Springs sand is so extensive that an 
22 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

enumeration and discussion of it would be in large 

part a repetition of a discussion of the 'Vilcox flora as 

a whole. I therefore simply present below a list of the 

species that haye been founclin the Holly Springs sand 

of the eastern Gulf area, which have not been detected 

in either the Ackerman or the Grenada formations. 

These number 238 species in 118 genera, 68 familie$, 

and 39 orders. Theil' most noteworthy feature is the 

extraordinary abundance and variety of the Leguminosae. The flora, as a whole, numbers well over 350 

species and abounds in representatives of the families 

Apocynaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Combretaceae, Juglandaceae, Lauraceae,· l\iiI110SaCeae, l\ioraceae, l\iyrtaceae, Papilionacene, Proteacea·e, Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae, Sterculiaceae, and Ternstroemiaceae. It recei ves 25 species from the flora of the underlying 

Ackerman formation and contributes 12'7 species to 

the flora of the overlying Grenada formation. 

The list of peculiar species In the Holly Springs 

flora follows: 

Acacia wilcoxellsi:o,:. 

Acerates wilcoxialla. 

Acorus heeri. 

AllHcardites eoceJlicus. 

Anacardites fnlcatus. 

Anacanlites mal'shallensis. 

Anacardites metopifolia. 

Anacardites pUl'yellrensis. 

Anacanlites serratus. 

Anemia eocenica. 

AntllOlithes (6 species). 

Apocynophylltul1 craSSUll1. 

ApocYlloplQ·llulll }lUn-Ulllll1. 

ApocynophylIuUl preplumiera. 

Apocynophyllum tabellarum. 

Apocynophyllulll wilcoxellse. 

Aristolochin wilcoxiana. 

ArtocHl'poides wilcoxensis. 

Al'throtnxis'l eolignitica. 

A vicennia eocenica. 

Avicennia nitidaformis. 

Banara eocenica. 

Banisteria fructuosa. 

Banisterin repanclifolia. 

Banisteria wilcoxiana. 

Ballksia pUl'yearensis. 

Bignonicapsula fOl'mosa. 

BOlllbncites eocenicus. 

Bombacites forlllosus. 

Bombacites wilcoxianus. 

Buettneria eocenica. 

Bumelia pseudohorrida. 

Bumelin pseudolycioidcs. 

Caenomyces (5 sf1ecies). 

Caesalpinites missi~sippiensis. 

Caesalpillites pinsonensis. 

Caesalpinites wilcoxensi:-;. 

Calycites (5 species). 

Calyptranthes eocellica. 

CanaYalia acuminata. 

Carpolithus (33 species). 

Carapa eOlignitica. 

Cassia bOlivarensis. 

Cassia emarginata. 

Cassia eolignitica. 

Cassia marshallensis. 

Cassia nictitanioides. 

Cnssia tenllesseensis. 

Cassia wilcoxiana. 

Cedl'ela mississfppiellsis. 

Cedrela pUl'yearensis. 

Celastl'us boIivarensis. 

Celastrus bruckmannifolia. 

Celastl'ocnl'pus eocenicus. 

Ceratophyllull1 incertul11. 

Cel'cis wilcoxiana. 

Cheilalltbes eocenica. 

CillnamOmUll1 oblongatull1. 

CinnamOlllUll1 oboyatul1l. 

U Ill1am0ll1U111 oyoidt:'s. 

Cissites collinsi. 

Citrophyllulll bifoIiolatulll. 

Uitrophyllum wilcoxianUlll. 

Cladrastis eocenica. 

Coccolobis eolignitica. 

Coccolobis uvifel'a/'olill. 

Combretanthites eocenica. 

COllocarpus eoligniticus. 

Copaifel'a '! wilcoxiantl. 

Cordia eocenica. 

CrotonophyllUIll eocenicull1. 

Cupanites eoliglliticus. 

Cyperacites millutus. 

Cyperacites wilcoxen sis. 

Dnlbergia ntt(~lluatus. 

Dnlbel'gia monospermoides. 

Dnlbergia tennesseensis. 

Dalbergia wilcoxiana. 

Dillenites microdentatus. 

Dillenites serratus. 

niospyros asper. 

Diospyros eoJignitica. 

DiosP~TOS mUtliSOllensis. 

Diospyros wilcoxial1a. 

Dodonaea knowltoni. 

Dodonaea parnlln. 

Dodonaea wilcoxiana. 

Dl'yophyllumamplulll. 

Dryophyllulll llnomalulll. 

Drypetes preke~·ellsis. 

Drypetes pl'eln telillora. 

Engeillardtia mississippiellsis. 

Ellgelhanltia pUl'yearensis. 

Equisetulll sp. 

Eugenia puryearensis. 

Eupbol'bioph~' II um fuyettense. 

Exostemu pseudocaribaeuIll. 

Fagara eocenica. 

Fagara puryearensis. 

:E'icus cinllHlllomoides. 

l!'icus fructu::> rostl'llta. 

l!'icus pandurifolia. 

l!'icus pseudocuspidata. 

l!'raxinus wilcoxiHIIH. 

G ledi tsiophy II lllll constrictulll. 

P.leditsiopbyllull1 entadafonne. 

Gleditsiophyllull1 ellipticul1l. 

Gleditsiophyllulll minor. 

Gleclitsiophyllum ovatUll1. 

Grewiopsis elegans. 

Heterocalyx saportann. 

Hiraea wilcoxiall<l. 

Hymenaea eocenica. 

HYl11e'naea wi lcoxin 1111. 

Icncorea prepnl1iculata. 

Ilex eoligl1itica. 

Ilex vomitoriafolia. 

Inga puryearensis. 

Inga wickliffensis. 

.Juglalls berryi. 

Juglans snifortliana. 

Laul'us collinsi. 

Laul'us hal'del11anensis. 

Laul'ophylJulll llorum. 

J .. uurophyIlul1l jU\·euule. 

Laurophyllul11 prellol·Ul1l. 

J .. egul11inosites (21 species). 

Liquidmllbar wilcoxinnUI11. 

Lycopodites? eoligniticus. 

Magnolia allgustifolia. 

l\Ianihot eoCenica. 

l\ielastol1l i tes oya tus. 

l\felastomites VenlS. 

l\Iel1ispermites americunus. 

l\Ienispermites cebathoides. 

l\fenispel'mites hardemanensis. 

l\Ienispermites wilcoxensis. 

l\fespiloc1nphne puryearensis. 

l\fimosites acaciafolius. 

l\fimosi tes il1uequila ternl is. 

l\iimosites lanceolatus. 

l\1imosites wilcoxensis. 

l\Iimusops prenul1tia. 

Mimusops sieberifolia. 

Monocarpellites perl\:insi. 

l\IYl'cia parvifolia. 

:MYl'cia pm'yea l'ensis. 

l\Iyrcia WOl'tJleni. 

Myrica puryearensis. 

Nyssa curta. 

Nyssa eolignitica. 

Nyssa tel1nesseensis. 

Nyssa wilcoxinna. 

Oreodavhne illtermeclills. 

Oreol;laplme wilcoxen sis. 

Oreopanax minor. 

Ol'e.opan3x oxforclensis. 

Oreopal1ax wilcoxensis. 

Palaeodenclron nll1ericnnum. 

Paliul'Us angustus. 

Paliurus pinsonensis. 

Pulmocarpon syngl·usioides. 

Parkinsonia eocel1ica. 

Persea fructifern. 

Pisonia eolignitica. 

Pisonfa fructifera. 

Pisonia praejacksoniana. 

Pisoniu pUl'yearensis. 

Pithecolobium eocel1icum. 

Pithecolobiull1'? tpnnesseense. 

Potamogeton gliicki. 

Potumogeton incertus. 

Potamogetoll fructus. 

Pseudolmeelia eocenica. 

Psychotria grnndifolia. 

Ptelea eocenica. 

Rhamnites berchemiaformis. 

Rhamnus eoligniticus. 

RhamIlus pUl'yen l'ensis. 

Rubincites pellicieraformis. 

Rubincites sphericns. 

Hubiacites wilcoxensis. 

Snlyinia pl'eauriculatn. 

Snpindus fructifel'us. 

Sapindus knowltOl)i. 

Sapilldus pseudaffinis. 

SchefHera elliptica. 

Sideroxylol1 ellipticul11. 

Sideroxylon premastichodenell·on. 

Simaruba eocen icu. 

Shnarubites eocenicus. 

Smilnx wilcoxensis. 

Solunites Cl'assus. 

Solanites pusiIJus. 

Solnnites saportana. 

Solanites sarrachafol'lllis. 

Sophora henl'yensis. 

Sophora mucronnta. 

Sophora palaeolobifoIia. 

Sophora puryearensis. 

Sophora repandifolia. 

Spal'ganiull1 sp. 

Stel'CUliOCHI'PUS sezannelJoides. 

Taxites? sp. 

'I'nxodium dubium. 

Tnxodium wilcoxianulll. 

Term inalia vera. 

'l'el'nstroemites Cl'ussus. 

r:rrapa wilcoxensis. 

Vantanea wilcoxiana. 

Zlllnia tennesse2ana. 

ZlIlnia wilcoxensis. 

Zygophyllul11? eOCf'n ic1ll11. 
TH:E FLOHA OF TH]~ WILOOX GROUP 23 

Flolra Of the G'I'enada f(}l'n~ation.-It does not appeal' to be possible at present to correlate the 'Vilc<;>x 

plants found ill the region southwest of Louisiana with 

the threefold divisions of the 'Vilcox established in 

~f.ississippi. The most that CRn be done is to determine them to be In tel' instead of earlier "Til cox ; conseqnently they are not included in the following list 

of the known flora of the Grenada formation and its 

precise equivalents. 

This list comprises the species identified from the 

following 1:') localities in the States of l\f.ississippi and 

Tennessee: Grenada (the type locality of the formation) and :Meridian, l\liss.; Cottage Grove, 11/5 'l11iles 

south of Somerville; Brinkley property, 2.9 miles 

l:iontheast of Somerville; float in orange sand, north of 

the Loosnhntchie, 'Vhiteville gully, near Trenton; 

Snft'ol.'d-Lesquereux locality, 1 mile north of Dancyville; 1Vz miles northeast of 'Villiston; 4%, miles 

,southwest of: 'Villiston; anel 5 miles southwest of 

"TjUiston, Tenn. 

Flora, of the Gral/ada fo'rnwUon 

Amygdnllls wilcoxhtIHL __________________ ~ _______ X ___ _ 

Anncttrclites grevilleafolia_ - _ - - - - - - _____ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X 

Anacardites inequilatel'alis _______________ X ___________ _ Anacarditcs minOl' __________________________________ X 

Anona ampln ______________________________________ X 

Anona eoligniticn _______________________________ X ___ _ Anona robertsL ___________________ .:. ____________ X ___ _ Anona wilcoxiana _______________________________ - ___ X 

Antholithes 11mcntiferus _________________ X ___________ _ Antholithes iliciformis ___________________ X ___________ _ Antholithes wilcoxensis __________________ X ___________ _ 

Apocynophyllum mississippiense _________________ X ___ _ Apocynophyllllm sapinclifoliunL __________________ X ___ _ Aral!n ~tcerifolia: _____________ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___________ _ Amhn JorgcnsenL __ - ______ - - -- _ - __ _ _ _ _ _ X ___________ _ Al'tocarpoicles balli _________________________ 1 ____ X ---- Artocarpus pungens _____________________________ X ___ _ 

B!tnistel'ia pseuclo1aurifolia ____ - - _______ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Banksia safforcli ________________________ ' ____ I ____ X ---- 13aI~ksia ~enuifoli.cL _____________________ : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ BOlchen'lla cocelllca _________________________________ X 

Bumelia nmericamL ________________________ 1 ____ ---- X 

Bumclia grenadensis ________ - - - ________ -' X ______ - - - __ _ Bumelia wilcoxiana _____________________ '_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ 

Caenomyces pesta1ozzites ________________________ X 

Canavalia eocenica _____________________________ X 

Canna eocenica _________________________ I ________ X 

Capparis eocenica _______________________ ' ________ X 

Carpolithus grenadensis _________________ i X ___________ _ Cl:trpolithus hiraeaformis _______________ j X ____ 1 _______ _ 

qal:pol!~huS pil~~ar}~oid~s ___ - - - - - - _ - ___ --! X __ - _1_ - - - - --- Cf\.1pohthus PUl)ealenSls ________________ ---- ____ 1 ____ X 

Cnrpolithus sOl,nervillensis _______________ 1 X ---- ---- ___ _ Carpolithus sophorites __________________ X ___________ _ Cnssia fn,yettellsis _______________________________ X ___ _ Cassia glennL __________________________ I ____ ---- X ___ _ Cassia lowiL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X _____ - - - ___ _ Cassia puryearensis _____________________ ! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Cassia robertsL ______________________ - _' X _____ - - - ___ _ Cedrela odomtifolia('?) __________________ i ________ X 

Cedreln, wilcoxiltlU1 ______________________ 1 ____ - ___ : X 

Flora of the Grenada f01"11w.tion-Continued 

Ce1astrus eolignitica ______________________ - __ - _ - X 

Celastl'us minor ________________________ - - - _ - - - - X __ -_ Ce1astl'us veatchL ______________________ - - - _ - - - - X __ -_ Chl'ysoba1anus eocenica ___________________ - _ - _ - - X ___ _ Chl'ysobalanus inaequalis _____________________ - ___ ---- X 

Chrysophyllum ficifolium ________________________ ---- X 

Cissites asymmetrica ____________________________ X ___ _ 

Citharexy10n eoligniticum _______________________ ---- X 

Combretum 1eve ___________________________ ---- ---- X 

Combl'etum obova1e ____________________________ ---- X 

Combretum o~a1e-----------------"----- ____ (?) ----,---- wllcoxense _________________________ ---- X 

Cryptocarya wilcoxiana _________________________ - - - - X 

Cupanites amp1us __________________________ --- - ---- X 

Cupanites formosus _________________________ ---- ---- X 

Cupanites loughridgiL ______________________ - _ - - - - - - X 

Dalbergia puryearensis ________________________ - - - - - - X 

Dalbergites ellipticifolius _____ " ___________ X ____ ---- ---_ Dalbel'gites ovatus ______________________ X ---- ---- ---- Dillenites ovatus ___________________________ (?) - ______ _ 

Dillenites tetracerafolia __________________________ - - - - X 

Dillenites texensis _______________________________ ---- X 

Diospyros brachysepa1a ___________________________ - - X 

Dryophyllum mooriL _______________________ (?) ---- ---- Dryophyllum puryearense _______________________ X 

Dryophyllum tennesseense ______________________ X ___ _ 

~nge1~ardtia .ettin~shausenL-- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Eugema denSmel'Vla_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X __ - _ - - - - - - -- Eugenia grenadensis ________________________________ X 

Euonymus sp1endens ____________________________ X ___ _ Ficus artocarpoides? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X __ -_ Ficus fructus pedicellata _________________ X ____ ---- - __ _ Ficus mississippiensis _____ ... _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X - - - - ___ _ Ficus misFiissippiensis gigantea_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ____ - - - ____ _ Ficus monoclon _____________________________ X _______ _ Ficus myrtifolia_ _ _ _ _ __ ______ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ X ___ _ Ficus puryearensis __________________________ X _______ _ 

~~cus pse~ldoln~ediafolia- ________________________ - - - _ X 

bcus schullperL ___________________ T ________ X ---- ---- Ficus tennesseensis _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ 

~~cus v~ughani:--------------------:.--- ________ X ___ _ ] ICUS wIlcoxen SIS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X __ - _ Fraxinus johnstrupL ________________________________ X 

Gleditsia? mississippiensis _______________________ X 

G1editsiophyllum eocenicullL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X 

Glyptostrobus europaeus ________________________ X - __ _ 

Gl'ewiopsis tennesseensis ___ --- ___________________ X ___ _ Guettarcla ellipticifolia_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ 

Hicoria crescentia ______________________________ - - - _ X 

Inga laurinafolia _______________________________ - - - _ X 

Inga mississippiensis _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Juglans occidentalis _____________________________ X ___ _ Juglans schimperL _____________________________ X ___ _ 

Knightiophyllum wilcoxittnum ________________________ X 

Laguncularia preracemosa? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X i ---- Legum~nos!tes collinsL __________________ ---- ---- X 1 ___ _ 

Legmmnosltes contortus ___ --- ___________ X ____ ---- ----

Lygodil~m tr~lobatunL------------------ ---- ---- X 1

1 

___ _ Magnoha 1eeL _____________ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X X X 

May tenus puryearensis ______________________________ X 

Me1astomites americanus_ __ ____ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ X 

Meniphylloides ettingshausenL ___________ X ___________ _ Meniphylloicles tennesseensis _____________ X ___________ _ Mespilodaphne eolignitica ___ - ___ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X _______ _ Mespilodaphne pseudoglauca _______________________ - _ X 

Metopium wilcoxianum_' ________________________ X 

Mimosites variabilis ____________________________ X ___ _ 

Mimusops mississippiensis _______________________ X ___ _ MYl'cia bentonensis _________ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ______ -_ MYl'cia grenadensis _____________________ X ____ --- ____ _ MYl'cia vera ___________________________ I ____ ---- X ___ _ Myrica elaeanoicles ____________________________________ _ Myrica wilcoxensis ___________________________ '- _____ X 
24 ."THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Flora of tile Oi'('lIada fOl"1nat'ion-Colltillued 

,!. 0 i>. i>. 

~~ :a'g :a'g c;>al !:IIi:! o:lal 

a .-,£ ~§ .o_~ ~-o ~~ 

:a '8 ~ 'g.g ~'g <:> ::lals ::l~ ~C1) Q} 0 0 z 

Nectandl'a glenniT ___________ ---------- __ -'" _ -~ __ : 1= 

Nectandra lancifolia ________________________ X _____ L __ 

Nectandra lowiL _______________________ ---- ---- x 1 ___ _ 

Nectandra parvula ______________________ X 1 ____ ---- ----

N ectandra pseudocoriacea _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ x _______ _ N ectalldra puryearensis _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X 

Nectandra wilcoxensis _______________________________ X 

Negundo knowltonL ____________________ X ___________ _ Nelumbo protolutea ____________________ X ___________ _ 

Nipadites burtini umbonatus _____________ X ___________ _ Oreodaphne mississippiensis __________________ X X ___ _ Oreodaphne obtu8ifolia __________________ ---- x _______ _ Oreodaphne pseudoguianensis _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X 

Oreodaphne salinensis _______________________ . ________ X 

Osmanthus pedatus _________________________ X _______ _ Ouratea eocenica ___________________________________ X 

Paliurus mississippiensis _________________________ X ___ _ Paraengelhardtia eocenica ___ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X 

Persea wilcoxiana_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ x ___________ _ Phanerophlebites knowltonL__ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X 

Phyllites grelladensis ____________________ X ___________ _ Phyllites wilcoxensis_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___________ _ Pithecolobium oxfordenseL _____________________ X ___ _ Planera crenata? _______________________ X---- _______ _ Platanus nobilisL ______________________________ X 

Proteoides wilcoxensis ___________________________ X ___ _ Pteris pseudopinnaeformis _ - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ 

Reynos!a p~aen~ntia?------------------- ________ X ___ _ Reynosla wllcoxlalla _______ -' ________________ ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X 

Rhamnites knowltonL ____ - - - ___ - - ___ - ____ - _ _ _ _ _ X __ -_ Rhamnites cleburnL_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___________ _ Rhamnus coushatta _____________________________ X ___ _ 

Rhamnus marginatus apiculatus ______________ X _______ _ Rutaphyllum trifoliatum ________________ X ___________ _ Sabalites grayanus __________________________ .. ___ X 

Sapindus eoliglliticus ____________________________ X 

Sapindus formosus ______________________________ X 

Sap!ndus li~ea.rif.oli~s--.----------------- ________ X Sapmdus mlsslsslpptenSls ________________________ X 

Sapindus oxfordensis ____________________________ X 

SchefHera formosa ____ -'- __ - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Sophora lesq uereuxL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ Sophora wilcoxiana - __ - - __ - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Sterculia knowltollL - - - - __ - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X 

Sterculia puryearensis ___________________________ , X 

Sterculia wilcoxensis ______ - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Sterculiocarpus sphericus __ - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Terminalia hilgardiana ______ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X _ _ _ _ _ __ _ 

Term~na)~a le~leY8;lla __ - - - _ - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X _______ _ Termmalla wllcoxlana _____ - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___________ _ Ternstroemites eoligniticus _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Ternstroemites lanceolatus _______________________ 'X ___ _ Ternstroemites ovatus ______________________________ X 

Tern.stro~m~te.s p:ecl~ibornensis- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___ _ Zamla mlsslsslpptensls ___________________ X ____________ . Zizyphus falcatus ___________________________________ X 

-. --- -' .-_ .. _ _ _-.1_. . 

The total number of species enumerated is 163, which 

is a much smaller number than is recorded from the 

Holly Springs sand. This smaller number is due prirnarily to the large number of excellently preserved 

plants collected toward the top of the Holly Springs 

sand, the conditions for preservation in late Holly 

Springs time seeming to have been unexcelled. This 

fact also obscures the normal floral contrast that might 

be expected to have existed between the two formations, a majority of the members of the flora of the 

Grenada formation making their appearance In the 

upper part of the Holly Springs sand. 

The Grenada flora has little in conlmon with the 

ft.ora of the early "\Vilcox Ackerman formation, only 

the following 14 species certainly extending into it 

hom that earlier horizon, although 3 additional are 

doubtfully represented: 

Jj'icus mississippiellsis (24). 

If'icus 1110I1oc10D. 

li'ieus puryearensis (15). 

Magnolia leei. 

Mespiloclaphne eoligniticH (16). 

Myrcia bentollensis (10). 

Nectnndl'a lancifolin (22). 

Nectnndra pseudocoriacea (40). 

Oreodal1hne mississippiensis. 

Oreodaphne obtusifoliu (23). 

Osmanthus pedatus. 

. Rhamnus marginntus "vieulatus. 

Terminalia hilgardiullil. 

Terminalia lesleynna. 

Seven of these have been found at 10 to 40 different 

localities (as indicated) widely distributed in the "\Vilcox area; FifYttS m.ris8is8ipjJiensis, FimM monodon, M agnolia; leei, and Osmanthfus pied"atuis were abundant in . 

the early Eocene along the southern Rocky J\Iountain 

front, and the two species of Terminalia are known to 

have had a wide range, both chronologic and geographic, so that all the forms. enumerated except 01'eodaphme 1rvississippiensis and Rltamnu8 marginatus 

apiculatus may legitimately be considered to have been 

dominant, wide-ranging, and long-lived forms, altogether lacking any close chronologic value. 

Considered in this light the contrast between the 

ft.oras of the Ackerman and Grenada formations is 

profound. Naturally, if the known flora of the Ackerman formation was more extensive the prevailing 

contrasts would probably be considerably modified. 

No such striking contrasts can be drawn between the 

floras of the Holly Springs sand and Grenada formation, and this is due in part to the fine-textured clays 

of the lagoons during the later part of Holly Springs 

time, in which was preserved so abundant a representation of the plants that mantled the Holly Springs 

coasts. 

All but 36 of the 163 Grenada species have been 

found in the Holly Springs sand. Of the 127 comnlOn 

species, however, 40 have not been recorded from the 

Holly Springs snnd at horizons below its upperlnost 

beds as developed in Henry County, Tenn., and 

although these greatly increase the difficulty of drawing the boundary between the two formations, they 

emphasize, on the other hand, the essentially more 

modern facies of the Grenadn, flora. 

"-rhe following 36 Grenada species were restricted 

to that horizon in the 'Vilcox. On the whole thl' 

g;eneric facies of the Grenada is similar to that which 

existed during earlier "\Vilcox time, but seven genera 

(Dalbergites, llfe niphyllo ides, Negundo, Nelul1~bo, 

Nipadites, Plafne1'a, and Rutaphyll1t1n) are unknown 
WILCOX FLOHA O~ ]'~ASTEnN A ND W]~STEHN SnOHES OF THE MISSISSIPPI GULF 25 

hom hUl'izolls l'<l dier thn n the G I'clluda and are therefore of considerable significauce. 

The spec.ies peculiHr to the Grenada. are 

Alllien nlites i 1I('11U i III teralis. 

Alltllolithes III1lClltifenlS. 

Alltholithes i Ikiftll·l1li:-:. 

Anthlllil"lIt"lS wilcilxewib. 

Al"HUn ncerifolla. 

Amlin jOl'genseJli. 

HllIllelia grenadensis. 

Clll'l'0lithu.'i gl'elln(h·)}sis. 

C'lll'polith u::; hi l'uenfol'mis. 

Cllrpolithm5 DiloCH1'l)oides. 

ell 1'l1ul it:h us sOlllervillensis. 

('al'polithus sophorites. 

Cassin lowii. 

('assla l'u\)crtsi. 

])alo€'rgites ellipticifulius. 

] )Illoergites ovatus. 

I'~ug"(>nia dellsinel'via. 

Fk\ls :f'I'\It"t;us pediedilltll. 

Ficus mississippiensis gig:llItea. 

Leguminosites contol'tus. 

)[enipbylloides ettingshn usell i. 

)[cniphrlloides tenllesseensis. 

:UYl'cia grenndensis. 

Xectandra pnryuln. 

Negundo kno",Uoni. 

NelullIbo l'rotolutea. 

:l\il1H(lites Ollltini ulllbollll tns. 

Pel'sea wilcoxiann. 

Phyllitl"s g"l'ennc1ellsis. 

PlIyllih·ls wilcoxensis. 

i'lllllel'lL crena t'a'! 

Hhllmnus clebul'lli. 

Hutapllyllull1 tl'ifolillt·Ull1. 

Sophora lesquereuxi. 

Tl:'l'lllinnlin wilcoxiann. 

~all1ia mississif1piensis. 

THE WILCOX FLORA AS DEVELOPED ON THE EAST· 

:ERN AN)) WESTERN SHORES OF THE MISSISSIPPI 

GULF 

Becnuse of the differences of clima,te between the 

eastcrn and western shores of tlle Gulf embayment, 

and becanse the ensterll shore w.ith its ,rarmer climate 

.is geogrnphically tributary to the Antillean region, 

wherens the western shore is tributary to l\1exico and 

Central America and is in direct conncction with the 

site of extensive enrly Eocene floras in the llocky 

:Mountain region, it is important to see whether the 

",Vilcox floras along the two shores of the Gulf show 

a ny differences in facies that can be attributed either 

to climate or to geographic sources of origin. 

To some extent the evidence is incomplete, because 

so lnany more plant localities and species are InlOwn 

from the eastern than from the western shores of the 

embayment, but this is unavoidable and is necessarily 

true of all discussions of fossil floras and faunas. In 

the evaluation of negative evidence one must always 

remember that the recorded geographic range of an 

orgnnism as well as its geologic range is purely an 

expression of the state of knowledge at any particular 

time and that discovery is constantly changing . these 

limits. This is just as true of the distribution of a 

J'ccent organism. Recent years have seen the dis-

('overy of such typical American genera as Lirr'lod'enclron, Sassalras, and Hicoria in China; and the range 

of Ollr existing bald cypress, which was formerly 

thonght to clie out in the Florida peninsula, has been 

cxtended southward w.ith the exploration of the 

southern part of the peninsula. 

An additional factor that should be borne in mind 

thl'onghollt the following discussion is that aU the 

plnnts thns far discovered in the western Gulf area, 

C'x;ccpt the small flol'ule from the l\1idwny ( ~) or early 

"Tileox .in central Texas alluded to in a former secbon, nre referable to the upper ",Vilcox, whereas the 

flora of the eastern Gulf area falls naturally into an 

older (Ackerman),. an intermediate (Holly Springs 

sand), and a younger (Grenada) division. Precise 

cOl'l'elation of the western Gulf plants can not be made 

in ternlS of this threefold eastern Gulf aggregation. 

T'he upper ",Vilcox as used in the western Gulf area 

corresponds to the upper part of the Holly Springs 

snnd and the Grenada of the eastern Gulf area. 

As the larger' part of the flora of the Holly Sprjngs 

sand came from beds toward the top of that formation 

in w(~stern Tennessee, and as the lower part of the 

I:Iolly Springs sand and the underlying Ackerman 

format.ion are sparingly fossiliferous, the disparity in 

the following comparisons between the floras of the 

enstel'n and the ,,'estern Gulf areas is not greatly modi fied by differences in the age of the two. 

The total number of 'Vilcox plant forms to date is 

;,)43. :Mol'e than one-fourth of this Humber are COIl1-

l110n to t.he two areas. The following 144 species distributed among 77 genera represent these common 

forms: 

l~quis('tum sp. 

A1Iem::1 p(lceniea . 

Lygodiulll trilobatum. 

A:;;pIenium eoIig1litiCUl11. 

Meniphylloides ettingsbnuseni. 

Pteris pseudopennneformis. 

Zamill wilcoxensis. 

Glyptostrobus europaeus. 

Poacites sp. 

Chmnnedorea danai. 

Palmocal'pon butlerense. 

Saba lites grayanus. 

Canna eocenica, 

Ellgelhal'dtia ettingshauseni. 

. Juglans berryi. 

Juglans scbimperi. 

l\fyrcin wilcoxensis. 

D1'Yophyllum anomaIuIn. 

Dl',Yopllyllulll moorii. 

Dryophyllum tpnnesseense. 

Ficus artocnrpoides? 

)j'icus denvel'innn? 

Ficus llarrisinna. 

Ficus mississippiensis. 

)j'icus puryenrensis. 

Ficus puryearensis elongata. 

Ficns pseudocuspidata. 

)j~icus pseuclolmediafolia. 

)j'icns schimperi. 

Incus vaughuni. 

Artocarpus pungens. 

Artocarp.oides balli. 

Al'tocarpoicles wilcoxensis. 

Banksia puryearensis. 

Banksia saffordi. 

Palaeoclendron nmericnnum. 

Coccolobis uviferafolia. 

Pisonin eolignitica. 

MagnOlia nngustifol ia. 

MagnOlia leei. 

Anona nmpla. 

Anona eo1ignitica. 

.Anona wilcoxiana. 

Pal'rotia cUllen tn. 

Chrysolm Innus innequ:llis. 

Amygdalus wilcoxinna, 

Prunus nabortensis. 

Inga Iau1'innfo:ia. 

Iuga wickliffensis. 

Mimosites val'inbilis. 

Cassia eoligniticH. 

Cassia fayettensis. 

Cassia murshallensis . 

CaSSia tennesseensis. 

Gleditsiophyllulll eocpnicUln. 

Gleditsiophyllum fl'Uctuosmn. 

Canavalia eocenica. 

Sophora l·epandifolia. 

Sophora wilcoxiann. 

Leguminosites prefoliat:lls. 

Simal'uba eocenica. 

Vnntanea wilcoxinnn. 

Banisteria pseuclolnurifolin. 

Banisteria wilcoxinna. 

Hiraea wilcoxiann. 

Anacardites eocenicns. 

Anacardites grevilll'afolin. 

Anacal'dites puryeal'ensis. 

Metopium wilcoxianUlll. 

Ilex sp. 

Celastrus taul'inellsi:-;. 

Ce]astrus veatchi, 

Euonymus splendens. 

Cupanites eoligniticus. 

Sapindtls eoligniticns. 

Sapinclu:;; fOl'lllOSUS. 

PROPERTY OF ~ BUREj~U OF M\NES 
26 THE LOWER EOCENE VnLCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Sapiudus lillearifolius. 

Sapindus lllississippiensis. 

~apindus knowltoni. 

Rhamnites knowltOJli. 

Rhamnus cleburnl. 

Rhamllus coushatta. 

Hhanlllus eoligniticus. 

Hhamnus marginatus. 

Hhalllnus lllarginatus apiculatus. 

G l'ewiopsis te n nesseensis. 

Sterculia puryearensis. 

Sterculia wilcoxensis. 

BOlllbacites formosuE'. 

BOlllbacites Wilcoxianus. 

Dillenites ovatus. 

DiIlenites texensis. 

Ternstroemites eoligniticus. 

'l'ernstroelllites ovatus. 

Tel'llstroemites preclaibol'l1-

ensis. 

Oinnumolllulll buchii. 

Oinnamomum obiongatulll. 

MespiIodaphne coushatta. 

MespiIodaphne eolignitica. 

Mespilodaphne pseudogla uca. 

NI:'ctandra glenni. 

Nectandra lancifolia. 

Nectnudra lowii. 

Nectandra puryearensis. 

N eeta ndra pseudocoriacea. 

Nectandra sp. 

Oreudaphne coushatta. 

Oreoc1aphne mississippiensis. 

Orfodaphne obtusifolius. 

Oreollaphne puryearensis. 

Ol'eodaphne pseudoguianensis. 

Oreodaphne salinensis. 

Per sea longipetiolata. 

Persea wiIcoxiaua. 

Oalypti:anthes eocellicn. 

Eugenia grenadensis. 

Myrcia belltonellsis. 

Myrcia vera. 

OOll1bretull1 obovale. 

Oombl'etulll ovale. 

Oombretulll wilcoxellse. 

Ooncocal'pus eOligniticus. 

TerlUinalia . hilgardiulla. 

Terlllillulia lesleyana. 

Melastomites allltricanus. 

Melastolllites yerus. 

01'eopanax oxfol'densis. 

Ol'eOpallax wilcoxensis. 

Nyssa wilcoxiana. 

Icacorea pl'epaniculnta. 

BUlllelia americana. 

BUll1elia pseudotellax. 

Mimusops lllississippiensis. 

Diospyros brachysepa I a. 

Diospyros eOlignitica. 

Diospyl'oS wilcoxiana. 

Fraxillus johnstl'upi. 

Apocynophyllum constrictull1. 

Apocynophyllum mississippi. 

ense. 

Apocynophyllum sapindifoliurn. 

Apocynophyllum tabellarulll. 

ApOCYllOphy II um wilcoxense. 

Oordia lowii. 

A vicennia llitidafol'mis. 

The total number of plants from the western area 

amounts to 181 species, and of this number 79.6 per 

cent are also found in ,the eastern area. This leaves 

37 species distributed among 33 genera which are restricted to the western area. " Restricted" is here 

llsed as between the "Vilcoxfloras of the eastern and 

western Gulf areas and is not intended to signify that 

some of the species may not have an outside range. 

These forms come from 38 different localities scattered 

from Arkansas to the Rio Grande. 

Of these 33 genera the following are entirely unrepresented in the eastern area: AcrosticAum, .A1'aceaeites, Oalatoloides, o lusi(J)phyllum, OupTessinoxylon, D1'yopteris, H elictowylon, M archmntites, Pistia, 

and Pterobala11lUs. It is interesting to note that the 

closest relative, of OaZatoloides is ,a living Central 

American genus, and that the Dryopteris is an immigrant into the Coastal Plain from the somewhat earlier 

Raton formation in southeastern Colorado. Pterobalwnus is a unique type of unascertained botanic relationship, and the others are without significance 

except Oupressinoxylon, which shows seasonal growth 

rings. As this genus has not been found in the eastern 

Gulf area these specimens have no comparative climatic Yalue, but they are of some interest in connection with the climate of the western area. (See p. 39.) 

The list of species restricted to the western area is 

given below. The following forms are found at earlier 

horizons in the western United States and are undoubtedly immigrants in the soutll\yestern Coastal 

Plain: A 1'alia notata, A 1'tOCa1'PU8 le8sigiana, Oinna1J7WIJnWln ar//ine, DryopteTi8 cladophleboides, Hicmia 

antiqu01'1.lIJ71J, flex atfon;is, and Legu1ninosites a1YDCldoides. It is significant that approximately 19 per cent 

of the species restricted to this western "Tilcox area 

are identical with Eocene forms of the western inteJ:ior of the United State~. 

l\iarclwntites stephensoni. 

Lygodiulll llastataforll1e. 

Acrosticbulll sp. 

Dryopteris cladophleboides. 

Cupressilloxylon calli. 

OupressillOxylo'u wilcoxense. 

Cyperncites sp. 

Araceaeites friteli. 

Pistia wilcoxellsis. 

Hicoria antiquorum. 

Dryophyllum amplulll. 

Ficus eOligllitica. 

Artocarpus dubia. 

A.rtocarpus lessigiana. 

Menispermites cebathoides. 

Menispel'lllites wilcoxensis. 

Caesalpini tes belltollensis. 

Oassia belltonensis. 

Leguminosites arachioides. 

Ilex affinis. 

Sapindus coushatta. 

Calatoloides eoceniculll. 

Rhamnites berchemiafol'luis. 

Helictoxylon wilcoxianull1. 

Sterculia zayalmw. 

Sterculiocal'pus eocenicus. 

Dillenites lllicrodelltutus. 

Clusiaphyllum eocellicull1. 

CillllHlllOlllUlll affine. 

Cillllalllolllulll postnewbel'l'Yi. 

Oryptocal'ya eoligniticn. 

La urus yerus. 

Laurinoxyloll bl'nnneri. 

Aralia llotatn. 

Calycites osh-yaformis. 

Pterobalallus, texanus. 

Phyllites suspectus. 

There are 354 species and several uncertain form., 

in 148 genera restricted to the eastern area, or almost 

71 per cent of the total flora of the area. The number is somewhat increased by the fact that 52 of the 

species represent fruits and flowers, which are always 

of sporadic occurrence. The corresponding proportion of restricted species in the flora of the western 

area is 20 per cent. Of the species found in the eastern 

area 29 per cent are common to the western area. 

The following 10 species restI~icted to the eastern 

area are also known from the western interior of tht 

United States (two-the Planera and the Pte1'ospm'-

1nites-doubtfully identified in the 'Vilcox): A1'alia 

acerifolia, HwmWt crescentia, Juglans occidentali8, 

Osma;nthus pedatus, PZane1'a m'enata?, Platanus 

nobilis, Pterospm'rnites cf. P. IJninor, Salvin-ia IJ'rea1tricuZata, and TaxodiU1n dJubiwm. This number is 

2.82 per cent of the restricted species, as comparerl ' 

with 19 per cent for the western a.rea. Thus the west· 

ern area has proportionately nearly eight times as 

many species common to the western United States 

as the eastern area, although the total number of 

species in the eastern area is 2.73 times the number in 

the western area and the larger number of known 

species from the eastern area might be expected to 
WILCOX FLORA ON EASTERN AND WESTERN SHORES OF THE MISSISSIPPI GULF 27 

show more in common with the western United States 

than the much smaller number known from the western area. If these figures hfLve any significance they 

indicate that the western area was much more accessible to inunigration from the western interior of the 

United States than the eastern area. 

Several of the species restricted to the eastern arefL 

in the ~Tilcox are found in the western area in the 

In tel' Eocene, twb or possibly three are found in the 

Brandon lignite of Vermont, and two additional occur 

in the upper Eocene of western Greenlnnd (.t11'alia and 

/!:cldton'lWln). A third 'Vilcox species that occurs in 

Greenland, F1'awinu8 johnst1'1.t.pi, found in both eastern and western Gulf areas, shows that a few of the 

members of the lower Eocene flora of southeastern 

North America extended their range far northeastward during Eocene time. Thi's resemblance between 

sontheastCl.·n North America and Greenland in the 

Eocene is, however, much less close than that between 

these two regions during Ripley or earlier Upper Cretaceous time, nnd this can mean only one thingnamely, that the Upper Cretaceous floras ,yere a paTt 

of the holarctic flora, whereas the "Tilcox is distinctly 

occidental and consists largely of autochthonous forms 

nnc! immigrants from equatorial America.. 

The list of species restricted to the eastern shores of 

the embayment, from 92 localities, is as follows: 

Cnenomyces unnulutn. 

CnenolllYCe::; cnssiae. 

Caenolllyce::; lnul"inen. 

CllenoHlyces ll1yrtne. 

CnelloluyceS pestnlO7.7.ites. 

Cnelloll1yces snpotae. 

Lycopodites'! eoligniticus. 

Lygoc1iull1 binel'vntum. 

Asplellium hUl'leyense. 

Cheilnnt:hes eocenicn. 

l\Ieniphylloides tennesseensis. 

Pltllllet'ophlelJites knowltoni. 

Snlviuia pl'ellu1'iculllta. 

Zllmill mi~sissippiel1sis. 

Znmin. t:ennes~eennn. 

~rnxltes sp. 

J\1't;ltl'otuxis'l eolignit:icn. 

Tllxodium c1ubium. 

'l'llxocliUll1 wilcoxianUll1. 

Cyperacites minutus. 

CYPCl'Hcites wilcoxellsis. 

Potnll10gcton incel'tus. 

Potllll1oget:on glUcld. 

Pot'l1J\10~eton? fructus. 

Acol.·uS heel'i. 

Sllllrgnniunl sp. 

Niplld Ites lJurtilli umbollutuS. 

Nipnc1ites SI). 

Puhnocnrpon syng1'usioides. 

Pnhnocnrpoll cf. P. sessile. 

Smilux wiicoxensis. 

PhyllHes wilcoxen sis. 

EngelhnrrUill mississippiensis. 

Ellgelhul'cltia puryenl'ensis. 

Hicoda crescentiu. 

Juglans occiclelltalis. 

Juglans snffol'diann. 

Pn1'nengelhartltia eocenicn. 

Myrica eluealloides. 

Myrica puryeul'ensis. 

'Dryophyl\ulll juvenule.' 

Dl'yophyllull1 InlQ·("llrense. 

Planem C1'enutn '! 

Pseudohnedia eoceuica. 

Ficus cinnnmomoides. 

Ficus fl'uctus ppdicellatn. 

Ficus fl'llctus rost:1'ata. 

Ficus lllississippiensis corda tao 

Ficus lIIississippiellsis giganten. 

Ficus monoclol1. 

Ficus myrtifolin. 

Ficus myrtifolin mupIn. 

Ficus mYI't'foliu ovatn. 

Ficus pnnclU1'ifolin. 

Ficus tennesseensis. 

Ficus wilcoxensis. 

Jj-'icu::; sp. 

Attocn I'pUS sp. 

Plat:lllus llobilis. 

Bnnksill tenuifolia. 

Knightiopbyllul1l wilcoxianulll. 

Proteoides wilcoxen sis. 

Aristolochiu wilcoxinna. 

Coccolobis eolignitica. 

Pisouin ch lorophy l1oides. 

Pisollia fructifera. 

Pisollia pl'aejncksoniann. 

Pisollia purren I'ensi:". 

Magnolia leei angusta. 

Anona l'obe1'tsi. 

Ashnillu leiocHrpa. 

l\Ienispermites nmericanus. 

Mellisperm i tes hn rdemnnensis. 

Cerntoph~'llum incertUlll. 

N elulllbo protol utea. 

Capparis eocenicn. 

Cappa 1'is eocenica ampla. 

Liquidambar wilcoxianull1. 

Chl'ysoballlnus eocenica. 

.A.cacia wilcoxianH. 

Jnga mississil)piensis. 

Juga puryeal'ensis. 

PitbecololJiull1 eocellicum. 

Pithecolobiulll eoceniCUlll anomalum. 

Pithecolobiulll oxfordense. 

PithecololJiull1? tenllesseense. 

l\:[imosites acaciafolius. 

l\fimosites inaequilnternlis. 

l\iimosites lanceola tus. 

l\iimosites wilcoxensis. 

CaesnIpinia wilcoxial1a. 

Caesalpinites mississippiensis. 

Caesalpinites pinsonensis. 

Caesulpinites wilcoxensis. 

Cassia boliyarensis. 

Cassia ellln l·ginntn. 

Cassia glenni. 

Cassia glenni major. 

Cassin lowii. 

Cassin nictitnnioides. 

Cassin puryeal'ensis. 

Cassia robel'tsi. 

Cassia wllcoxinna. 

Cercis wilcoxiuna. 

Copaifera? wilcoxiana. 

Gleditsia? mississippiensis. 

Gleditsiophyllmn constrictum. 

Gleditsiophyllull1 ellipticull1. 

Gleditsiophyllull1 entadnfol'-

me. 

Gledits:ophyllull1 hi Iglll'Clianum. 

GlecUtsiophyllulll oyn tum. 

Gleclitsiophyllull1 minor. 

H~'ll1enaea eocenicl1. 

Hymenllea wilcoxinnll. 

Pnrkinsonia eoceniCfl. 

Cllnnyulin acuminatu. 

Cladrastis eocenicn. 

Dulbergia attenuata. 

Dalbel'gia 1l10nospermoides. 

Dalberg~a puryearenSlR. 

Dnlbergin tennesseensis. 

Dulbergia wilcoxianll. 

Dnlbel'gites ellipticifolius. 

Dnlbergite~ oyntus. 

Sophol'fl hell1'.rensis. 

Sophora lesquel't'uxi. 

S011110rl1 lIlucronntn. 

S011110rl1 11111neolobifolia. 

, Sophora puryenrensis. 

Leguminosites andiraformis. 

Lf:.gum inosi tes arnchioitle:::: 

minor. 

J..,eguminosites nstragalifonuis. 

Leguminosites chestel'ensis. 

Leguminosi tes COllillSi. 

Legull1inosites copniferanus. 

Leguminosites contortus. 

Leguminosites d repa 1I0Cll t'-

poicles. 

Leguminosites ema1'ginnt us. 

Legull1inosites hnrdemnneJ\sis. 

Leguminosites hoffmH nsegginfOl'll1is. 

Leguminosites illgaf1'uctoides. 

Leguminosites monospermoi· 

des. 

Legulllinosites pnucludfol'mis. 

Leguminosites pltylloca r[loides. 

Leguminosites pOIIgllIuioides. 

Legumillosites reniformis. 

Leguminosites l'obert~i.. 

J ... egumillosi tes 31t1l ndyen:"is. 

Legumillosites subovatus. 

Legull1inosi tes wickl iffensis. 

Citl'ophyllull1 bifolin tUIIl. 

CitropltyIIull1 wilcoxinllnm. 

Fngarll eocenicn. 

Fag[lra burleyeusis. 

Jj~agilrn puryeal'ensis. 

P~'elen eocenicn. 

Rutnpbyllum trifo]intul11. 

ZygopbyllulU '? eoceniculli. 

Simarubite8 eocenicus. 

Cnrnpll eoligniticn. 

Cedrela mississippiensis. 

Cedrela mississippiensis mujor. 

Ced1'ela mississippiensis minor. 

Cedrela odoratifolin. 

Cedrela pu L'yearensis. 

Cedrela \\'ilcoxiana. 

Bnnisteria fructosn. 

Bnnistel'ia repnndifolin. 

Crotonophy II mn t1l11)elldicu latum. 

Crotonop1lyllull1 eocenicUl1l. 

D1'ypetes prekeyellsis. 

D1',n1etes p1'eln terifiora. 

F)uphorbiopbyllum fa:yetten~e. 

Mnllihot eocenicn. 

.Allacil1'dites fnlcntu:". 

Anncarclites illequiln ternli:-;. 

Anacardites 1II1ll'shallellsis. 

Anacarclites metopifolin. 

Anl1cardite~ minor. 

A.llacardites serratus. 

Heterocnlyx Sft portn 11:1. 

Hex eolignitica. 

Ilex yomitorinfolin.' 

Celnstrus bolivnrensis. 

Celnstrus b1'nckmunnifolin. 

Celastrus eOlignitica. 

Celastrus minor. 

Celustrocurpus eocenicus. 

Euollymus? fl'uctescens. 
28 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FL9RA OF THE SOUTHEASTBRN STATES 

l\Iaytellus puryearellsis. 

Negundo kllowltoni. 

Cupanites amplus. 

Cupanites forlllosus. 

Cupanites loughridgi. 

Dodonflea knowltoni. 

Dodonaea parvula. 

Do(lonaea wilcoxianH. 

Sapindus fructiferus. 

Sal'indus oxfonlensis. 

Berchemia eocenica. 

Paliurus angustus. 

Paliurus mississippienSis. 

Paliurus pinsonellsis. 

Reynosia prnenulltin. 

ReYllosia Vl'aenuntia longepetiolata. 

HeYl10sia wilcoxiana. 

Rhamnus puryearensis. 

Zizyphus falcatus. 

Zizyphus meigsii. 

Cissites asymmetrica. 

Cissites collinsi. 

Grewiopsis elegauS1. 

Grewiopsis wadii. 

l\Ionoca rpelli tes perkinsi. 

Buettneria eocenica. 

Pterosperllli!es d. P. minor: 

Sterculia knowltoni. 

S terculioc:upus seZHn nelloides. 

Sterculiocarpus sphericus. 

BOlllbacites eocenicus. 

Dillenites serratus. 

Dillenites tetracerafolia. 

Ternstro~mites crassus. 

Ternstroemites lnnceolatus. 

Banara eocenica. 

Onratea eocenica. 

Cinnamomum obovatum. 

CilllIIUn(m1U1l1 oyoides. 

Cryptocarya wilcoxiana. 

Mespilodaphne puryearensis. 

Nectandra pan-ula. 

Nectandra wilcoxensis. 

Oreodaphne intermedius. 

Oreodaphne wilcoxensis. 

Per sea fl'uctifera. 

Laurus coUinsi. 

Combretanthites eocenicus. 

Laguncularia preracemosa. 

Termillalia vera. 

Terlllinalia wilcoxialla. 

~'rapa wilcoxensis. 

l\1elastomites ovatus. 

Arnlia dakotana. 

Aralia jorgenseni. 

Aralia? semina. 

Oreopanax minor. 

Ol'eopanux wilcoxensis crenulatus. 

Scheffiera elliptiea. 

Scheffiera formosa. 

Nyssa curta. 

Nyssa eolignitica. 

Nyssa tennesseensis. 

Chrysophyllull1 ficifoliull1. 

Bumelia grenadensis. 

Bumelia hurleyensis. 

Bumelia psemlohorrida. 

Bumelia pseudolycioides. 

Bumelia wilcoxiana. 

l\1imusops eOlignitica. 

Mimusops prenuiltia. 

Mhl1usops sieberifolia. 

Sideroxylon ellipticum. 

Sideroxylon premastichodcndron. 

DioSl}yros I1sper. 

Diospyros madisoncnsis. 

Diosypros sp. 

lJ'raxinus wilcoxellsis. 

Osmantbus pcdatus. 

Apocynophyllum crassum. 

Apocynophyllum Iinifolium. 

ApocynophyllUll1 mississippiense ova tum. 

Apoeynophyliull1 parvulum. 

ApOCYllophyllum preplumiera. 

Echitonium lallceolatulll. 

Acerates wilcoxiana. 

Cordia eocenica. 

A vicennia eocenica. 

Citharexylon eolignitkulll. 

Solanites crassus. 

Solanites pusillus. 

Solanites saportanus. 

Laurus hardeml1nensis. Solanites sarraehaformis. 

Laurophylhlm flomm. Bignonicapsula formosa. 

l.aurophyllum juvenale. Exostema pseudocaribaeulll. 

Laurophyllulll preflorum. Guettarc1a ellipticifolia. 

Eugenia densinervia. Psychotria grandifolia. 

Eugenin hilgardiana. Rubiacites pellicieraformis. 

]1]ugenia pUQ"earensis. Rubiacites sphericus. 

IHyrcia grenadensis. Rubiacites wilcoxensis. 

Myrcia parvifolin. Antholithes (9 species). 

Myrcia pUl'yearensis. Calycites (4 species).o 

l\Jyrcia wortheni. Carpolithus (39 species). 

Combretum leve. Phyllites grenadensis. 

To a certain extent these species seem to indicate 

an Antillean avenue of invasion of the eastern Gulf 

area. I believe this invasion was due in part to ready 

access and relative nearness to the expanded Antillean 

region, but also in part to the l11ilder climate of the 

eastern shores of the embayment. This relation can 

perhaps be indicated lnore clearly by a consideration 

of the genera rather than the multiferous species rest.ricted to the .eastern area. 

Of the 180 genera recognized in the 'Vilcox flora 77, 

or 42.77 per cent, are restricted to the eastern shores 

of the embayment. A number of these I regard as 

of no significance, because they are based on single 

specimens, such as Ly-copodJites, Aco1'~ts, Spm'g(bniwln, 

A'l'istolocld(J), Asimina, 0 eratop Ny llwm, Oladl'(lstis, 

A1·th1'otaxis, Pota17wgeton, Oopaifera, and "J!a1nihot, 

and hence may be suspected to be due to accidents of 

preservation or discovery; or they represent fruits, 

snch as Oelast1'OC(()1'PUS, BignonicapsUla, and Rubiacit"es; or fim\ers, such as La'urophylh(ltn and 8oZa'nites'; 

or are of no value, as the leafspot fungoid genus Oaen017~yces. The subtraction of these and doubtfully determined genera like Planera, Gleditsia, ZYrJop'l~yllum, 

and Pterosp'ermJites leaves 55 genera, or 30 per cent of 

the known "Tilcox genera, restricted to the eastern 

area. 

Of these the genera P(l(raengelMnltia', [(nightiophyztum, and 0 07}'IJb1'etarnthites have never been found 

outside this area and Ps(fu(Zol1nedia is known nowhere 

else in the fossil state. Some of these genera. such as 

Gkeila11Jthes, Trapa., and Nelwmbo are known from but 

a single locality, but others, such as Oapp'aYris, PithecolobiWln, Dalbergia, Dalbe1'gites, Oitrop-hryllurr},lJ, F agara, Oed'1'ela, D1'Ypetes, P(f)liUTUS, Reynosia, Ziz,yphus, 

and Oissites, occur at many localities in the area and 

are represented by several species. 

A number of these genera had colonized this region 

in Upper Cretaceous time-for example, Oapparis, 

Dalber·gia, OitrophyUwm, Oedtrela, Zizypkl1Js, and 

Oissites. (See pp. 12-14.) In the category of .genera 

confined to the eastern shores of the emba)Tment during 

Wilcox time which may be consideJ'ed to have entered 

the embayment by way of the Antilles I would place 

P8eud'ol'1nedia, Pit/tecolobiwm" o opaife1'a , Hymenaea, 

Pa:rleinsonia, Dalb ergites , Fagarra, Si1'lU11rUbites, Oarapa, 0 ed1"ela, D1"Ypetes, "J! ary tenus , Reynosia, B anara, 

Ouratea, L(()qulIw1.ila:rria, 0 lw"Y80p'hyllAlIln, Siderowylon, 

Oithafrexylon, Ewoste1na, and Guetta:rda. That the 

eastern shores of the embayment were more genial 

than the western is perhaps indicated by the fact that 

several of these genera, such as Ooparife1'a, Fagara, 

Oarapa, Oedrela, Reynosia, Lagwn(JUlaria, Oh1'YS'Ophryllu17~, and Oith(ffrewyZon, occur in the Claiborne or 

Jackson deposits of the western Gulf area, laid down 

when, as I believe, the clinlate was considerably milder 

than it was during 'Vilcox time. 

The eastern area is especially contrasted with the 

western in its abundant Leguminosae, the following 
CORRE~ATION 29 

genera of that alliance being restricted to the eastern 

region: Acacia;, Pithecolobiwm, Oerais, Oopfdfe1'a, 

GledJitsia/f, HY111Jenae(J), P(Jff'kirvsonJia, Dalb&rgia, and 

Dalbergites, comprising 9 of the 19 known genera. No 

genera and but three species of this alliance are restricted to the western area. 

The genera that are restricted to the eastern area are 

the following: 

Caenomyces. Zygophyllum? 

Lycopodites. Simarubites. 

Cheilunthes. Carapa. 

PhnllerophLebites. Cedrela. 

Salvinin. Crotonophyllum. 

Tnxites. Drypetes. 

Arthrotaxis? Euphorbiophyllum. 

Taxodium. Manihot. 

Potnlllogeton. Celastrocarpus. 

Acorus. May tenus. 

Spnrganlum. Negundo. 

Nipadites. Berchemia. 

Smilax. Paliurus. 

Pa raengelhnrd tia. ReYllosia. 

PLnnera? Zizyphus. 

Pselldolmedin. Cissltes. 

Platanus. Monocarpelli tes. 

Knightiophyllum. Buettneria. 

Pl'oteoides. Pterosperllli tes? 

Aristolochin: Banara. 

Asimlna. Ollratea. 

Ceratophyllum. LaurophyUum. 

Nelllmbo. Combretanthites. 

Capparls. Lagul1cularia. 

Liquidambar. Trapa. 

Acacia. Schefllera. 

Pithecolobium. Chrysophyllum. 

Cercis. Sideroxylon. 

Copaifera. OSlllallthus. 

Gleditsia? Echitoniulll. 

Hymennea. Acerates. 

. Parkillsonla. Citharexylon. 

Clnc1rnstis. Solanites. 

Dalbergin. Bignonicapsula. 

Dnlbergltes. Exostema. 

Cltrophyllum. Guettarda. 

ll'agara. Psychotrla. 

Ptelea. Rubiacites. 

Rutaphyllulll. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 

The physical conditions indicated by the Wilcox 

flora were discussed in considerable detail in 1916.19 

The numerous species that have been added to this 

flora since that date necessarily modify some of the 

statements there nlade, although they do not affect 

the general conclusions to any considerable degree. 

In that discussion I stated that the Wilcox flora 

pt'obably seemed to be more tropical in character than 

it really was. This statement receives confirmation in 

the present study, which has served also to render 

10 BeLTY, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, pp. 133-140, 1916. 

63757-30--3 

more precise a picture of the environmental conditions 

in the Gulf embayment region during lower Eocene 

time. These conditions have been described in the 

present work with respect to certain selected localities; and the section on climate completes the environmental picture in so far as it is possible to do so with 

the present data, so that it seems unnecessary to devote 

a special section to ecology. 

This statement is especially true because, for the 

present at least, the paleobotanist is less interested in 

the relations be~ween structure and environment from 

the point of view of the physiologist and is much more 

interested in the relation between the plant associations found in the rocks and the grosser features of 

their physical environment from the point of view 

of the plant geographer. "Vhe~e fossil floras are preserved as impressions and structural material is wanting, such questions as age, origin, and paths of dispersal will be those upon which information will be 

obtainable. 

Consequently considerable space is here devoted to 

the time and place of origin of the several types, their 

. probable paths of dispersal, and the relations to other 

fossil floras. The general conclusion seems to me to 

be warranted that aside from those resemblances 

which resulted from the interchange of a small number of species that were capable of being distributed 

by ocean currents without loss of vitality, the latitudinal, or east and west intercontinental similarities 

of floras and faunas, particularly as we find them at 

the present time, are not due to former oceanic land 

bridges, or to the drifting apart of continents a la 

Wegener, but are conditioned by the general zonal 

distribution of similar environments which these floras 

and faunas have come to occupy by invasions, equatorward or poleward, along more or less longitudinal 

paths .. 

CORRELATION 

The'surprisingly large nu~ber of additional forms 

that have been discovered in the Wilcox since their 

correlation was discussed in 1916 have not served to 

modify the general conclusions reached at that time. 

These conclusions were that in terms of the standard 

European section the Wilcox is decisively pre-Lutetian 

in age and finds its closest parallel in the Ypresian 

floras of southern England and the Paris Basin, 

though it also shows some but rather less close affini· 

ties with the flora found in the Sparnacian (plastic 

clay with lignite) of French geologists (Dollfus, 

1880); the upper Landenian of Meyer Eymar (1857). 

If, as seems probable, the Sparnacian in France represents the littoral, estuarine, and continental sediments 

deposited during the withdrawal of the Thanetian 

sea from northern France, this means that the Wilcox 
30 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

may, like the Sparnacian, be par~ly contemporaneoU!~ 

with the uppermost Thanetian marine beds. 

This conclusion is of slight significance with respect 

to the Wilcox, for it is the identical position taken in 

1916, but it is of considerable significance in connection 

with the question of the intercontinental correlation 

of those formations in the western United States in 

regard to which there are 8uch great differences of 

opinion, and that is my chief reason for reaffirming it. 

There is no warrant for introducing any extended 

comment on the correlation of such formations as the 

Raton, Denver, and related beds in a report devoted 

to the Wilcox. There are, however, considerable resemblances between the Wilcox flora and those of the 

western formations juQst mentioned, and several addi.;. 

tional elements have come, to light in recent years, as 

I will mention below, so that my own views may be 

restated with profit. 

Nothing that has been discovered during the last 

10 years has served to change my statement published 

in 1916 that the Wilcox is younger than the Raton; 

Denver, and related formations. The late F. H. 

I(nowlton, who was an ardent advocate of the Eocena 

age of all the disputed horizons in the western United 

States, was inclined to see the proof of his position in 

the above-mentioned similarities between these floras 

and that of the Wilcox.· Although I find serious difficulties in the way of admitting. that such floras as 

those of the Raton or Denver formations can be of 

pre-Eocene age, science does not progress by special 

pleading, and the contrasts as well as the nature of the 

similarities should be precisely stated. 

0:5 the approximately 543 species now recorded 

from the Wilcox, less than 75 have an outside distribution.. This is an unusually small proportion, and 

serves to impart a striking individuality to the Wilcox 

flora. This individuality is partly due to the geographic position of the region where the flora is 

found, for it is predominantly a coastal flora at the 

gates 'of the American Tropics. It is also partly due 

to the, fact that no other American floral unit has its 

precise chronologic limits. 

I suppose that in a general way the Wilcox flora 

may be correlated with that known as the Fort Union, 

but until the Fort Union becomes 'tied to a more definite geologic unit and its flora is segregated among 

the component stratigraphic units, there can be no 

precision in such a statement, and in any event the 

composition and environment of the two are widely 

different and scarcely comparable. 

In the table of distribution given below 74 Wilcox 

species are listed which appear to have an outside distribution. Of these species 23 occur in either the Claiborne or the Jackson Eocene of the Gulf embayment 

region, each of which has 15 species common to the 

Wilcox. It should be emphasized that the determination of these species is more precise than that of some 

of the 'Vilcox species recorded from western floras. 

Two "Vilcox species have been recognized in the 

small florule found in the rhyolitic tuffs of the Barrilla Mountains of western Texas,2o midway geographically between the Wilcox and Raton areas. 

Twenty-seven "Vilcox species have been recorded by 

Knowlton in the Raton formation of southeastern 

Colorado and northeastern New l\iexico, and there is 

a considerable additional community of generic representation in the two, commonly by rather closely 

related species. The. two floras differ considerably by 

reason of the large number of Leguminosae and Lauraceae and the many representatives of genera now 

living in equatorial America that are found in the 

Wilcox. The Raton. flora, on the other hand, has a 

somewhat more temperate facies, despite its abundant 

palms, and contains a large assemblage of species in 

the genera J ugZans, M agnoli(J), Platam'llS, and 17 i-· 

burnwm, which are 'sparingly or (17ib'lIJrn'Ulln) not at 

all represented in the Wilcox. If the Raton formation is basal Eocene, as its considerable quota of "Vilcox forms Eeems to indicate, it is probably of the age 

of the Midway of the Gulf embayment region. I can 

see no evidence for regarding the Wilcox and Raton 

a~ synchronous, and the rather strong evidence that 

the Wilcox is largely the equivalent of the Ypresian 

of Europe seems to me to be. decisive on this point. 

There are 17 species common to the "Vilcox and 

Denver flora and its equivalents in Colorado (Arapahoe, l\iiddle Park, and Dawson), 16 common to the socalled Fort Union flora, and 8 common to the Lance 

tiora. The actual floral resemblance is greatest with' 

the Denver, but there are the same objections to considering the Denver and Wilcox synchronous as in 

the case of the Raton. They have fewer common 

species, and a considerable number of these are not 

certainly identified,' as is alEo true of several species 

that have been considered to be common to the' 'Vilcox 

and to' the Lance and Fort Union. Thus Ficus puryea'rensis Berry and Sophora .wilcoxiana Berry have 

been recorded by Knowlton from the Denver, but I 

have recently examined this material and consider the 

identity to be extremely doubtful. Plane1'a C"renata, 

Pterospe1'1nites 1ninor, and Aralia dakotana, which are 

tentatively identified by me in the 'Vilcox, are similarly. doubtfully identical with these Lance and Fort 

Union species. That the Denver flora should show a 

degree of resemblance to that of the "Vilcox is not 

surprising if the Denver and Raton formations a!'e 

20 Berry, E. W., An Eocene flora from trans-Pecos Texas: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper 125, pp. -1-9, 1919. 
CORRELATION 31 

synchronous, as I(nowltoll !::ieCIll:3 to have proved. The 

Denver flora differs decidedly ft;om that of the Wilcox 

in the same particulars as the Raton, and in addition 

it contains a large number of contrasting elements 

identified as species of Populus, Oissus, Ginkgo, Dombeyopsis, VioU1'nu1n, PlataJnus, Al'n'lt8, Betula, Orataegus, and other genera, for the most part entirely unrepresented in the 1Vilcox. 

A single Green River species is doubtfully recorded 

in the Wilcox, and a species of Salvinia is common to 

the Wilcox and the Bridger ( ~) formation of the Wind 

River Basin in 1Vyoming. Two species are common to 

the Wilcox and the Arctic Eocene. Of unusual interest is the presence in the vVilcox of several species 

based upon fruits that are closely related to or identical with forms described from the Brandon lignite 

of Vermont., which has often been considered to be of 

Miocene age.' For this and many other reasons, all'eady set forth,21 I think there is not the slightest 

doubt but that the Brandon lignite is of Eocene age. 

Since the paper just cited was written the finding 

of identical species of Nyssa and Oinna17w1nu1n in the 

lignite on the Taylor farm in Chester County, Tenn., 

adds materially to the evidence. 

There is no need for repeating the evidence of relationship between the vVilcox flora and those of the 

Sparnacian and especially the Ypresian of Europe. 

This evidence was given at length in 1916, and additional studies all tend to confirm rather than to modHy 

it in any way. . 

The list of vVilcox species that occur in other regions 

:is given in the following 'table : 

21 Berry, E. W., The age of the Brandon lignite: Am. Jour. Sci.. 4th 

sel'., v01. 47, pp. 211-216, 1919. 
32 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Distribution of Wilcox species in other regions and formations 

Midway (?) 

Claiborne Jackson Raton 

Denver 

(Arapahoe, Dawson, 

etc.) 

Lance Fort 

Union Bridger 

(?) I 

Barrilla 

Green Arctic Bran- MounRiver Eocene don, Vt. tains, 

Tex. 

Chile, 

South 

America 

rna:;;.~:net~~;~fct:~~_e_~s_o_n_i_~ ~ :::::: :::::: --X -- __ ~ __ :::::: :::::: :::::: ::: :::1:::::: :::::: :::::: :::::: ;:::: ::: ::: 

Asplenium eoligniticum___________ ______ ______ ______ ______ X _______________________________________________ _ 

Pteris pseudopennaeformis-------- ______ ------ --- _____ 0____ X ---- ___________________________________________ _ Dryopteris cladophleboides-------- ______ ______ ______ X ____ 0 __________________________________________ , _______ _ 

"Salvinia preauriculata____________ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ X _____________________________ _ 

Glyptostrobus europaeus---------- ______ X X ______ ______ X X ___________________________________ _ Taxodium dubium_______________ ______ ______ X ______ ______ X X ___________________ " ________________ _ Chamaedorea danai______________ ______ ______ ______ ______ (?) _______________________________________________ _ Nipadites burtini umbonatus ____________ -----_ X ___________________________________________________________ _ Palmocarpon butlerense ____ -_____ ______ X ____________________________________ " _____________________________ _ Palmocarpon cf 0 Po sessile __ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___________________________________________________________ _ 

Sabalites grayanus_______________ ______ ______ ______ X X ---- ________ -- ______________________ ----__ X 

Hicoria antiquorum ____________ :._ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ X _________________________________________ _ 

Juglans berryi___________________ ______ ______ ______ X __________________ 1 ____________ :- ______________________ _ 

J uglans occidentalis _______ - _________________ - _ _ _ _ _ _ X X X 1 ___________________________________ _ 

J uglans schimperL - - - - - __ - - - ___________ - - - - - - - _ - :. _ - X X X ___________________________________ _ Engelhardtia ettingshausenL __ .., _________ ~-____ ______ X _____________________________________________________ _ Dryophyllum moori __________ "____ ______ ______ ______ X _____________________________________________________ _ 

Planera crenata? - - - - - _ - ___ - - ___________ - - - - - - - - - ______________ - _ _ _ _ _ _ X ___________________________________ _ Artocarpus lessigiana ___________________ --____ ______ ______ X _________ " ______________________________________ _ Artocarpus pun gens _______ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X _______________________________________________ _ 

Ficus artocarpoides?-------------- ______ ------ ---___ X X X ___________________________________ _ Ficus denverianaL_______________ X ------ ______ X X X _________________________________________ _ Ficus mississippiensis_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X X X _______________________________________________ _ Ficus monodon _____ - ___ - _ - - ___________ - _ - - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ X _____________________________________________________ _ 

F!cus occidentali~---------------- X ------ ---___ X X - ______________________________________________ _ FICUS puryearensls--------------- ______ ______ ______ ______ (?) _______________________________________________ _ 

Ficus pseudolmediafolia----------- ______ ______ ______ X _____________________________________________________ _ Ficus schimperi- _______ - - _ - - _________ ~ _ - _ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X __ .. ________________________________________ ) _________ _ Platanus nobilis ______________________________________________ ..,_ X X ___________________________________ _ 

Magnolia angustifolia_____________ ______ ______ ______ X _____________________________________________________ _ Magnolia leei____________________ ______ ______ ______ X _____________________________________________________ _ 

Magnolia leei angusta_____________ ______ X ________________________________ ..: ________________________________ _ Anona eolignitica________________ ______ X __________________________________________________ " _______________ _ Parrotia cuneata _______________________ ---- __ - ___________________ :.___ X ___________________________________ _ Sophora wilcoxiana_______________ ______ X X ___________________________________________________________ _ 

Leguminosites arachioides _______________ ---___ ______ X X X ___________________________________ _ Gleditsiophyllum eocenicum_______ ______ X X ___________________________________________________________ _ Ilex affinis? _________________________________________ 0_____ ______ ______ ______ ______ X _______________________ _ Celastrus taurinensis ________ .., ___________________________________ 0 X X ___________________________________ _ 

Euonymus splendens------------- ______ -----_ ______ X _____________________________________________________ _ S~pindus mi~sis.~ippiensis---------- ______ X _________________________________________________________________ _ Zlzyphus melgsll_________________ ______ ______ ______ X _____________________________________________________ _ Rhamnus cleburni ______________________ -_____ ______ X X _______________________________________________ _ Rhamnus emarginatus apiculatus-- X _______________________________________________________________________ _ Rhamnites knowltoni ___________________ ------ -_____ X X _______________________________________________ _ Grewiopsis wadii -- ___ - ____ - - ___________ - - - - - - X ___________________________________________________________ _ 

Pterospermites do Po minor _____ ,.., ________ ------ ______ ______ ______ "X X ___________________________________ _ Cinnamomum affine______________ X --~--- --- ___ . --___ X _______________________________________________ _ Cinnamomum buchii _________________________ (?) ___________________________________________________________ _ 

Cinnamomum ovoides ____________ --- ___ ------ --- ___ ------ --- ___ ---- __ -_____ ______ ______ ______ X ___________ _ Oreodaphne obtusifolia___________ ______ X X ___________________________________________________________ _ 

g~~~~~~~~~a~~i~1fa~~i~~_e~_s~~ Laurinoxylon branneri _____________ -_ ~ ~ = = I= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = --X --= = = = = = = = ="= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = __ ~ _______ _ ~ __ o__ X X ___________________________ ,. _______________ ~ _______________ ... Myrcia bentonensis _________ ~_____ ______ X X - __________________________________________________________ _ CombretuIri ovale ____________________________ -_____ X _____________________________________________________ _ 

Terminalia hilgardiana____________ X ------ ---___ X ______ ----__ X - __________________________________ _ Terminalia lesleyana______________ X ------ --____ X ______ - ______________________________________________ _ Aralia dakotana ________________________ ------ -:.- ___ - ___________ ----__ X _____ ..: ______________________________ " 

Aralia jorgenseniL _____________________ ------ ---___ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ X .!.)_-,- ______________ _ 

Aralia notata __________________________ ------ --____ ______ X X X -- ____ - ____________________________ _ 

Nyssa curta _ - _ - ___ - _ - _ - __ - -" _________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ ~ __ - - - - - ______ - - - - - _ - _ - - - - - - - - _ _ _ _ X ___________ _ Nyssa wilcoxiana_________________ ______ X X ___________________________________________________________ _ Bumelia wilcoxiana______________ ______ X _________________________________________________________________ _ 

Diospyros brachysepala- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X X X X __________ - - ________________ ... ______ _ 

gi:!fin~~~!rJt~:: :::::: :::1:::::: :: ~ J: :::: ::~:: :::::: :::::: ::: ::: :::::: : ::::: ::~:: :::::: :::::: :: :::: ~f;:iEt~fF~~;~11\~g_~~~::::::: :::::: :::::: :::::: --~ -f:-::: :::::: :::::: :::::: :::::: :::::: :::::: :::::: :: ~:: 
THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 33 

THE PROBL'EM OF THE EOCENE CLIMATES 

It is perhaps fatuous to point out that climate, either 

present or past, depends upon many factors, both 

cosmic and terrestrial. Of the former the only one 

that is of practical importance is solar-that is, radiant enei·gy from the sun, for it is inconceivable that 

other heavenly bodies or the introduction of kinetic 

energy by meteorites could exert any appreciable 

effect. 

The amount of solar energy reaching the earth depends upon the sun's activity, which is variable; on 

the distance of the earth from the sun, which is also 

variable; and more practically, in so far as terrestrial 

climates are concerned, on the condition of the earth's 

atmosphere, especially with respect to the amount of 

ozone, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and dust present, 

all of which again are variable. The latitude, which 

determines the angle of incidence of the sun's rays, is 

an obvious factor, as is also the' geographic pattern 

and the topography, including altitude. The geography ·determines whether the sun's energy falls on 

the land or the water, it determines the temperature' 

gradient between the Equator and the poles and the 

consequent force of the planetary winds and ocean 

currents, and in less obvious ways it is of the greatest 

si gnificance, as the following illustration will make 

clear. 

The equatorial currents in the Atlantic are so situated that the south equatorial-the stronger and the 

. larger of the two-is divided by Cape San Roque into 

a larger, northern or Guiana current and a smaller, 

southern or Brazil current. Some authors, like 

Guppy, are inclined to consider the south equatorial 

as bipartite throughout and call the Guiana current 

the main equatorial current. The point is immaterial 

in the present connection, as all I desire to show is that 

the shape of eastern South America and the latitude 

of Cape San Roque are purely fortuitous in so far as 

their relation to climate is concerned, and yet. if Cape 

San Roque had happened to lie a few degrees north 

of its present position much of the water that ultimately contributes to the Gulf Stream would have 

turned southward to augment the Brazilian current, 

and the climate-especially of Europe and the Arctic-wou.ld be profoundly modified. 

Scant attention will be devoted to the various theories that have been advanced to explain geologic 

climates. These theories range from that of Croll, in 

its original or modified form, based upon the eccentricity of the earth's orbit and the obliquity of the 

ecliptic, which was doubtless a factor at all times 

but hardly a controlling one, through those theories 

that rely on changes in the atmosphere, such as alterations in the amount of carbon dioxide (Tyndall, 

Arrhenius, Chamberlin), or amounts of volcanic dust 

(Humphreys), to the extreme form of the hypothesis 

advanced by 'Manson and elaborately defended by 

I{nowlton, that a combination of cloudiness progressively diminishing du~ing earth hist.ory and a terrestrial control due to a cooling earth, instead of a 

solar control as at present, are the primary factors 

which explain past climates. Finally there are those 

highly speculative hypotheses, such as Chamberlin's 

reversal of the oceanic circulation, and a group which 

predicate a wandering of the poles in various ways, 

now fashionable in the revived form put forward by 

Wegener. ' . 

I have quite possibly omitted other proposals that 

might be mentioned, and I have now to mention the 

theory, if it can be called a theory, which is the main 

thesis of the present chapter-namely, that it seems 

to me possible to interpret geologic climates in the 

light of demonstrated changes in topography and 

geography, including under geography differences in 

the. distribution of land and water and the transfer of 

energy by currents. 

This idea, as applied to the Pleistocene glaciation, 

was first advanced, I believe, by Lyell, and in its more 

general application has been recently put upon a scientific basis by Brooks, with whom I am in perfect agreement-not only in the evaluation of these as major 

factors but also in my firm conviction that armchair 

philosophy, with its fondness for highly speculative 

and catastrophic hypotheses, has no place in a uniformitarian world or in twentieth century science but 

belongs in the medieval age of human thought. Not 

only have most writers on geologic climates been as 

ardent as they were uncritical, but many have been 

equally uninformed. 

Climate, in a uniformitarian geology, occupies the 

somewhat anomalous position,' which the scientific 

world has been slow to recognize, that the history of 

the human race has been made under climatic conditions which, from the point of view of the student of 

earth history, are exceptional. Man was evolved subsequent to the relative elevation and the great extension of the continents which ushered in the Pleistocene 

glaciation, and therefore what is normal in human experience is abnormal for the bulk of geologic climate. 

Therefore, although we recognize that the climatic 

factors and the meteorologic elements are the same 

now as always, their combination to form actual climates has depended upon a great' many other factors, 

among the chief of which were the size, shape, position, and relative altitude of the land masses. It mav 

be remarked parenthetically that the numerou~c; 

theories of the causes or descriptions of geologic cli-· 

mates have been ~dvanced by students ignorant of 
34 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

meteorology and also usually ignorant of the relationship of organisms to their environments, and the last 

statement is strikingly true of Koppen and "Vegener's 

recent treatise.22 

In attempting a few years ago to explain the extension of floras nearly to the poles during late Eocene 

time, I relied chiefly on the submergence of continental 

areas in the middle Eocene and the resulting free 

oceanic connections at that time between equatorial 

and arctic waters, pointing out that these arctic floras 

were coastal floras an~ therefore under the regime of 

an oceanic climate.23 An additional and important 

factor has since been brought forward by Brooks,24 who 

points out that the temperature gradient is a simple 

function, whereas the influence of ice increases as thu 

square of the radius. Hence a coincidence of minor 

factors sufficient· to effect an overturn in the one ()j' 

the other direction-that is, toward ice formation or 

melting-would suffice to induce a wide extension of 

polar ice or to prevent- the polar regions from maintaining a permanent ice cap. If this is true then it 

seems quite probable that there was little polar 'ice 

during late Eocene time. This would mean profound 

changes in the distribution of barOlnetric pressures 

and consequent wind circulation, and, in fact, in all 

the elements that constitute climate. It would lnean 

that in western Greenland, for example, where· the 

inost extensive late Eocene arctic flora has been found, 

the present-day glacial anticyclonic winds· would be 

replaced by westerly or southwesterly winds blowing 

from the relatively warmed waters of Baffin Bay, and 

this would satisfactorily explain the details of the 

floral facies. 

Regarding the general history of discussions of geologic climates, I believe that most paleontologists who 

ha ve written on this topic, especially those dealing 

with the pre-Cenozoic periods, have had little basis 

in fact for their speculations.· They seem to me to be 

utterly oblivious of the great amount of modern work 

on the distribution of marine organisms, and their 

ideas of the climatic significance of a trilobite, eurypterid, or ammonite are purely traditions inherited from 

the distant past, when all strange organisms were associated with torrid climates. 

~n stating my belief in a greater uniformity of climate during the past than exists at the present time I 

do not wish to be understood as advocating such fallacies as the entire absence of zonatio·n, which many 

paleobotanists have defended (Jeffrey, Knowlton, Hollick), or a similar uniformity throughout all time. 

2~ Koppen, W., and Wegener, A., Die Klimate der geologischen Vorzeit. 255 pp., 1924. 

23 Bert'y, E. W., A possible explanation of upper Eocene climates: 

Am. Phil os. Soc. Proc., vol. 61, PP. 1-14, 1922. 

24 Brooks, C. E. P., The problem of warm polat· climates: Roy. 

l\:[eteot·ol. Soc. Quart. Jour., vol. 51, pp. 83··-94, 1925. 

Both ideas are equally absurd and are disproved both 

by geologic observation and by meteorologic principles. Jeffrey,25 for example, holds that the more 

ancient the epoch the warmer the climate, and that 

there has been a gradual and progressive refrigeration 

during geologic time; that the organization of secondary wood in extinct plants furnishes the most reliable 

evidence of .climatic conditions; that toward the end 

of Paleozoic time growth rings appeared in woods in 

high latitudes; that in Triassic time growth rings were 

developed 10° nearer the Equator than they were during the Paleozoic time; and that in Jurassic time the 

tracheids first developed tangential pitting, which was 

at the end of the annual ring and was accompanied by 

storage elements (wood parenchyma). 

There is scarcely a statement in the chapter from 

which the above assertions are culled that is true. 

There are no geologic or paleontologic facts that indicate a progressive climatic cooling during geologic 

tjme, and the "Permo-Carboniferous" glaciation was 

admittedly more extensive than that of the Pleistocene. The presence or absence of growth rings ex~ 

hibits what might be called constitutional variations 

quite independent of climate, not that they really 

are independent, but two associated species under an 

identical climate will behave differently with respect 

to this feature of their anatomy. Growth rings appear in some Paleozoic woods many degrees nearer 

the Equator than Jeffrey admits,26 and in marine formations deposited off low coasts, so that the plants 

can not be considered to have been upland types. The 

Paleozoic genus Mesowylon shows tangential pitting, 

which, according to Jeffrey, first appeared in the 

Jurassic; and the citation of a wood from the Triassic of Arizona as an argument for the advance equatorward of cooler climates during early 1\1esozoic time· 

is particularly weak, as it is perfectly clear that the 

growth rings in this wood have nothing to do with 

temperature but are due to periodic lack of nloisture 

in that region, as exemplified by the contemporaneous 

deposits of gypsum. 

I have perhaps devoted more space to Jeffrey's 

arguments than their importance warrants, but I do 

this because they furnish part of the basis for his 

well-known views on the evolution of -anatomical elements in the higher plants; and, as has been shown 

above, the actual climatic history affords no support 

to these views. 

Similarly, in the recent elaborate work on geologic 

elimates already cited, Koppen and 'Vegener offer explanations to account for climates which they assume 

25 Jeffrey, E. C., Anatomy of woody plants, chap. 30, 1917. 

26 These occurrences are summarized by Goldring, W., Annual rings 

of growth in Carboniferous wood: Bot. Gaz., yol. 72, pp. 326-330, p1. 

14, 1921. 
THE PROBLEM OF THE EOCENE) CLIMATES 35 

to have prevailed during the successive geologic 

periods but which in reality never existed. 

As I have pointed out on previous occasions, 'paleobotanists in general have entirely lacked objective experience outside the Temperate Zone and have invariably overestimated temperatures. They have been 

prone to use the present distribution of the fancied 

or real relatives of their fossil forms as if temperature were the sole factor in the environment, and they 

ha ve stopped with the geographic occurrence in the 

apparently simple trust that all lands in the equatorial 

zone were at sea level and) wet tropical. A sojourn in 

the arctic climate beneath the Equator on the backbone of South America would do much to correct this 

misapprehension, as would also some experien~e in 

the temperate rain forests of different reaions. 

Climatologists, agriculturists, and biogeographers 

have long recognized that in nonarid environments the 

temperature affords a direct if not wholly exact correlation with organic activity. In reference to plants 

the length of the available growing season, as determined by the interval either between the last frost 

in the spring and the first frost in the fall or between 

the last and first killing frosts, has long been used satisfactorily throughout the Temperate Zone, although 

it. has been recognized that temperature stands in a 

casual relation to other vital environmental factors, 

find that the length of the dormant period due to 

cold, or the intensity of the cold or heat to which the 

plants are subjected, are important factors in distribution. These factors, however, have never been evaluated, so that for the present we have to rely on the 

approximation furnished by the length of the growing season. Of course, in frostless regions this would 

be determined by other climatic factors than tempernt-ure-chiefly factors atfecting their water relations. 

The following brief discussion of certain of the climatic elements in the Southeastern States during 

early Eocene time includes some comments upon the 

present conditions in this regiop, on which such a discussion must be based, the data being those of the 

'United States 'Veather Bureau, and more especially 

upon the elaborate study of these records as bearing 

on the distribution of vegetation in the United States, 

by Livingston and Shreve. 21 

The average length of the frostless season in the Atlantic Coastal Plain at the present time is 200 days or 

more, reaching 300 days in coastal Texas, the Mississippi Delta, and peninsular Florida. It is 280 days 

along the "\vhole Gulf coast, except for a small area in 

Louisiana, and reaches 340 days in southern Florida. 

:rr Livingston, B. E., and Shreve, Forrest, The distribution of vegetation in the United States, as related to climatic conditions: Carnegie 

lust. Washington Pub. 284, 590 pp., 1921. 

It would undoubtedly be relatively somewhat longer 

with the distribution of land and water that existed at 

the time of the maximum submergence of t"he Wilcox. 

It is not possible to determine this length quantitatively, but that the frostless season was longer than it 

is now is shown by the presence as far north as latitude 37° in western Kentucky of fossil plants whose 

existing relatives reach only about latitude' 28° in 

peninsular Florida. 

By plotting the equiseasonal lines of the present 

time on a map it is apparent that they follow rather 

closely the isothermal lines, so that a determination of 

the isothermal lines for Wilcox time would afford a 

fairly rel~able method of estimating the length of the 

Wilcox . growing season in different parts of the 

region. In default of this determination, which it 

seems to me would require more information than is 

available, certain minimum temperatures for Wilcox 

time can be arrived at, and these indicate that the 

growing season was longer than it is at present for the 

same latitudes. 

Meteorology has not yet reached that stage where 

it becomes possible to make precise estimates of what 

climatic features would result if, for example, the present continents were widely submerged or' if the polar 

ice caps were greatly reduced or perhaps absent alto:-

gether, as Brooks believes they may have been during 

the Eocene. Brooks 28 has discussed these features at 

considerable length, and it would be pure pedantry for 

me to attempt any such discussion. 

The epicontinental seas in the latitude of the Wilcox 

embayment showed the same contrasts between their 

eastern and western shores as are shown by the present 

eastern and western oceanic coasts. of which the two 

coasts of the Atlantic are familiar to all students and 

probably most typical. During the winter lower pressures over the embayment than over the adjacent land 

would result in southerly and westerly moist winds on 

the east coast and' northerly offshore winds on the west 

coast. Consequently, the winters would be more severe 

along the west coast. During the summer the barometric conditions of the winter would be more or less 

reversed-to a less degree, however, and with less definite effects. 

Figure 4 shows the present normal annual precipitation in inches, plotted on a map showing the maximum transgression of the vVilcox shore line. I think 

that without assuming that the distribution of the 

precipitation during 'Vilcox time was greatly dissimilar to that of the present, there is justification 

for believing that the boundary between areas with a 

precipitation of 40 to 50 inches and those with 50 to 

60 inches would be smoothed out and would retreat 

28 Brooks, C. E. P., Climate tht'ough the ages, London, 1927. 
36 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE e,OUTHEASTERN STATES 

northward from the Coastal Plain of South Carolina, 

Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. 

The belts of rainfall of the present would move 

northward with the transgression of'the Wilcox coast, 

and the heaviest precipitation would occur along the 

Arkansas and would probably decrease toward the 

southwest. However, the vVilcox coastal region in 

Texas must have received more rain than that region 

does at the present time, and the north and sOllth 

belts of light rains of the present could not have 

0f:=~13:00==:=E:==========3500 Miles 

FIGURE 4.-Map of Southeastern States showing normal annual preCipitation, in inches 

0f:=~103::0==:=E:===:;=======3500 Miles 

FIGURE 5.-M·ap of the Southeastern States showing relation of preCipitation to evaporation. Figures 

on curves indicate normal precipitation divided by normal evaporation, expressed as percentages. 

After Livingston and Shreve 

eastern shore of the embayment' from southern Illinois 

through Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi to 

southern Alabama, where it was probably greatest. 

The rainfall would also be 'heavy on the west side of 

the head of ~he embayment from Illinois through 

existed in the Eocene. This, inference follows from 

the Eocene distribution of land and water and is fully 

corrobor,ated by the Eocene plants of the Barrilla 

Mountains, in trans-Pecos Texas, by the number of 

forms common to thevVilcox and the Raton and 
THE PROBLEM OF THE EOCENE CLIMATES 37 

Denver floras of the Rocky Mountain region, and by 

the evidence of the northward spread of southern 

types by way of the Mexican coastal region. 

As is well known but frequently disregarded, the 

effective value of precipitation for plant activity depends upon its distribution during the year and at 

all times upon the evaporation capacity of the airthat is, on the humidity. The humidity is, of course, 

influenced by several factots that are difficult to deter· 

mine, such as the amount of sunshine and character 

of wind, and it is equally obvious that precipitation 

und humidity can not be divorced from temperature. 

The curves in Figure 5 show the relation of the 

present normal annual precipitation to the evaporation in this region. Curves showing such a relation 

humidity quite different from that prevailing at the 

present time in that region, where now the effective 

rainfall is deficient and diminishes rapidly towa-rd the 

west. 

In considering the present distribution of humidity 

in the Southeastern States by itself (fig. 6) two features stand out conspicuously: First, the areas of 

greatest humidity, even in the far Southwest, follow 

the present coasts and must have done so during early 

Eocene time. This distribution would mean that a 

be~t of country of considerable width along the Wilcox coast, throughout its extent, had a mean annual 

humidity between 75 and 80 per cent. The second 

feature of the present distribution of humidity is the 

rapid decrease westward. ~or example, it is 75 per 

FIGURE) G.-Map of the Southeastern States showing normal mean annual humidity. After Livingston 

and Shreve 

for the growing season would perhaps be more enlight., 

ening, but I give the annual relation for several considerations, chief of which is that it is less favorable 

to plant growth than the corresponding relation for 

the summer, although the latter would be closer to 

what I regard the conditions to have been throughout 

most of the year during Wilcox time. 

That the effective value of the precipitation as 

measured in this way followed the coasts of the Wilcox exactly as temperature, precipitation, and evaporation did is, I think, unquestionable; the facies of 

the fossil flora seems to me'to prove this as well as the 

length of the growing season. The great accumulation of lignite near the head of the embayment in 

western Kentucky and on its western coast in Texas 

'as far as the southern part of that State, as, for 

example, along the Rio N ueces, demands a degree of 

63757--80--4 

cent at Corpus Christi, less than 70 at San Antonio, 

only 60 at Eagle Pass, and below 50 per cent west of 

the Rio Pecos. Like the belts of rainfall these pronounced belts of low humidity could not have been 

developed during Wilcox time, and for the same 

reasons. 

Figure 7 is introduced because it shows graphically 

the present conditions better than a long explanation 

could possibly elucidate them, and also because it 

gives a concrete basis for conceptions regarding the 

modification which would be brought about by such a 

flooding of the lower Mississippi Valley as that which 

took pla,ce during early Eocene time. The line A-A 

records the southernmost observed and aitogether exceptional zero temperatures that have been recorded 

since the founding of the United States Weather 

Bureau. The line R-B marks the southern limit of 
38 THE' .LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLOHA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

normal daily mean temperatures of 32° or lower; marily for the study of glacial and postglacial climates 

hence south of this line the daily means are normally and rests on the assumption that the general meteoroabove freezing. Both of these lines would necessa- logic system of the earth was· similar to that of the 

rily have been embayed northward during Wilcox present time. That is, of course, -a doubtful assumptime in curves more or less parallel to the shore of the tion for Wilcox time, for we have every reason to bemarine embayment. lieve that there was a diminution of the polar ice caps 

Brooks 29 has developed a mathematical formula for in the Eocene. 

the determination of past m~an temperatures which This diminution of the polar ice caps would greatly 

was based upon the distribution of land, water, and ice modify the general meteorologic system and would 

in circles with an angular radius of 5° and 10°. The result in much higher temperatures along the vVilcox 

method need not be quoted here, as it is given in full I coasts than those given above, because of the fact that 

in an appendix of the work cited. Mr. Brooks has . the subtropical anticyclonic belts would extend polebeen good enough to calculate for me the January and ward into temperate latitudes. This thesis is develJuly temperatures for two localities on the Wilcox oped by Brooks,30 and although the changes involved 

coast for a time near the maximum transgression. can not be stated quantjtatively, their general tenor 

FIGURE 7.--l\fap of the Southeastern States showing sou.thern limits of freezing (B) and zero (A) 

temperatures 

One of these localities is on the eastern shore of the 

Wilcox embayment in latitude 32°, longitude 87°. 

Here, because of the ameliorating influence of the embayment waters to the west, the January temperature 

would be approximately 5° F. above the present January te~perature and the July temperature would be 

4° F. below the present July temperature. 

The other locality is about midway on the western 

shore of the embayment in latitude 32°, longitude 97°. 

Here, because of the mass of land to the west, the departures from present temperatures would be smaller. 

The January mean would be but 0.4° F. warmer than 

the present January mean, and the JUly mean would 

be 1.3° F. helow· the present July temperature. But 

as Brooks points out, his fonnula was developed pri-

!!O Brooks, C. E. P., Evolution of climate, London, 1922. 

agrees admirably with the qualitative ideas regarding 

'Vilcox climate derived from an analysis of the extensi ve Wilcox flora. 

The nearest Weather Bureau station to the point 

mentioned on the eastern shore of tlw vVilcox embayment. is at Selma, Ala., which is about 30 miles north 

of it and at an altitude of 147 feet. The factor of altitude may be ignored here, although it is a modifying 

fa,ctor. The average length of the growing season at 

Selma for 34 years of records is 240 days. The average 

January mean for a period of 27 years is 48.58° F., 

and the a verage July mean for a period of 30 years 

is 80.15° F. Brooks's calculations for the Wilcox, 

when applied to these figures, give a January mean 

of about 53° F. and a July mean of about 76° F. 

80 Brooks, C. E. P., Climate through the ages, London, 1926. 
THE PROBLEM OF THE EOCENE CLIMATES 39 

There are two 'Venther Bureau stations in the vicinity of the point mentioned on the western shore of the 

"Vilcox embayment. T4ese stations are Corsicana, 

Tex., about 35 miles slightly north of east, and Waco, 

Tex., about 32 miles directly south. Corsicana has an 

nltitude of 445 feet; recqrds for 19 years give an average growing season of 244 days, and the average J anuary n.nd July means for 36 years of records are, respectively, 45° F. and 84.3° F. 'Vaco has an altitude 

of 424 feet; ~he average growing season, based on 19 

years of records, is 250 days, and the average January 

Hnd July means of 37 years of records are, respectively, 

48.5° F. and 83.3° F. By using these figures without 

reducing them to sea level we obtain for the Wilcox, 

at the time of its maximum extent, at the point on its 

western shore, a January mean somewhere between 

45.5° and 49° F. and a July mean of 82° or 83° F. 

As I have pointed out, these figures may be regarded 

as correctly derived and hence of a different order of, 

value fron1 all previous estimates of paleobotanic 

~tudents, which have been inferences from the character of the plants represented as compared with the 

distribution of their existing relatives. ,My figures 

are then quantitative and not qualitative. Moreover, 

as I have noted above, they are based on the assumption that the present meteorologic conditions prevailed 

during ""Vilcox time arid are hence minimum figures, 

because eithe~' a; decre'ase of land in latitude 32° N. or 

a shrinkage of polar ice, such as seems probable, would 

tend to increase and not decrease these determinations. ' 

In another section of this work I have given an 

analysis of the similarities and differences in the 

]{nown floras of the two shores of the embayment.' 

Obviously the factors governing the distribution of 

plants are highly complex, so that only rarely is it possible to analyze satisfactorily even existing floras, for 

which many of the factors can be observed. Changes 

are somewhat crudely assigned to changes in latitude 

or altitude, wetness or dryness, edaphic conditions, 

n.nd other factors. Usually what might be called the 

historic~l factors-that is, the ancestry of any particular plant population and the means of access to the 

region-can not be evaluated. 

In contrasting the floras of the two shores of the 

embayment it seelued possible to discern some of the 

historical factors, and certain other observed differences between the floras appeared to be climatic. 

These data will not be repeated in this section, but 

the reader is referred to the discussion cited. (See 

pp. 25--29.) It was hoped that a study of the secondary 

woods of silicified members of the 'Vii cox flora would 

throw some light on this problem, but as yet almost 

the only well-preserved petrified woods have come 

from the western shores of the embayment, so that u 

whatever these have to disclose awaits future discoveries. 

The species Laurinowylon wilcowianu1n, which has 

been found in Tennessee and Mississippi on the eastern shore and Louisiana on the western shore, is 

alike throughout and shows no evidence of seasonal 

changes. H elictowylon wilcowianWln, known only 

from the western shore in Louisiana, likewise shows 

no evidence of seasonal changes. A considerable number of specimens of Oupressinowylon wilcowense have 

been examined, but unfortunately these also all came 

from the western shore in Louisiana. These specimens show a great deal of variation in the extent and 

distinctness of seasonal activities. In some specimens the growth rings are sharp; in others the socalled spring wood consisted of 45 to 70 radial elements 

and the so-called summer wood of but two radial elements in ,yhich reduction is scarcely perceptible. It is 

of interest in this connection to note that Seward 31 

has described a species of Oupressinowylon from the 

contemporaneous London clay of southeastern England, which shows well-defined seasonal rings. 

Another significant feature of this ""Vilcox Oup1'essinowylon is that the tangential walls of the tracheids 

are pitted. This pitting is not confined to the terminal tracheids of the so-called ring, as it should be 

according to Jeffrey's hypothesis, mentioned earlier 

in this paper. If Strassburger's explanation, that 

tangential pitting was evolved to facilitate a rapid 

water supply to' the cambium when its activity becomes renewed in the spring, has any validity, the 

pitting throughout the ring might be construed as 

an argument in f.avor of a continuously active cambimn throughout the whole or most of the year. 

I have said nothing thus far about the possible effect 

of ocean currents on the Wilcox climate. The occurrence of other than tidal currents in the Gulf embayment is problematic, and I believe extremely doubtful. 

The general shallowness of the embayment waters 

viould seem to indicate that any well-marked currents 

were absent, although tidal action and alongshore 

drift seem to be indicated by the distribution of many 

plants which are normally distributed by currents, 

such as A vicenrnia, 0 aesalpinia, 0 anarv alia , 0 avrapa, 

Oonocarpus, Datbergia, Laguncularia, Nipadites, Sapindus, and Sophora. 

The land barriers of Yucatan and peninsular Florida were submerged in early Eocene time but on the 

other hand there was an undetermined amount of uplift 

in the Antilles, so that it is by no means clear what the 

course of the Eocene Gulf Stream was-that. is, 

whether the bulk of the Atlantic equatorial current 

t.urned northward east of the Antilles or entered the 

81 Seward, A. C" Fossil plants, vol. 4, p. 194, fig. 718C. 1919. 
40 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Caribbean, sweeping across Yucatan and making the 

circuit of the deeper offshore waters of the Gulf em-

. bayment. If it followed the latter course, this Eocene 

Gulf Streanl would ·have been several hundred miles 

offshore and would have approached only that part of 

the Wilcox coast in southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia. ,In this event doubtless small offsets 

might have eddied along the eastern shore of the Wilcox Gulf, carrying their burden of drift fruits and 

seeds. 

Another feature of the 'Vilcox e.nvironment, sufficient to account for the absence of all traces of marine 

faunas in the 'Vilcox sediments north of latitude 32° 

30', was the tremendous influx of fresh water. The 

Wilcox embayment received all the drainage of North 

America between the incipient Rocky Mountains and 

the Appalachians, at least south of the present Canadjan border. From the evidence of the Wilcox flora, 

as well as that of scattered floras along the Rocky 

Mountain front, the rainfall was greater than it is at 

present, so that the shallow 'Vilcox waters would be 

yery considerably subsaline. This condition ought to 

ha ve resulted in the development of a characteristic 

brackish-water fauna, but no traces of such a fauna, 

beyond the rare occurrence of a CorbwZa-like pelecypod, have been discovered. This absence would be 

lnore significant were it not for the fact that similarly 

no traces of fresh-water shells, other than the equally 

l'are occurrence of a Unio-like form in obviously delta 

deposits, have been discovered. \ I 

LOCALITIES 

The numbers assigned in the following list of plant 

localities are used for reference in the systematic list of 

the Wilcox flora that follows this list. 

ALABAMA 

1, Claybank Creek, Dale County; 2, Kinterbish Creek, Choctaw County. 

MISSISSIPPI 

3, 11 miles east of Coffeeville, Yalobusha County; 4, Colemans Mill, Choctaw County; 5, DeKalb-Herbert road, Kemper 

County; 6, Hurleys, Benton County; 7, Oxford, Lafayette 

County; 8, Early Grove; 9, Lamar, and 10, Holly Springs, all 

Marshall County; 11, Lockhart, Lauderdale County; 12, Grenada, Grenada County; 13, Meridian, Lauderdale County; 14, 

Dabney, Montgomery County; 15, 1 mile east of Water Valley, 

Yalobusha County. 

TENNESSEE 

Chester County: 16, Taylor farm, Silerton road. 

Hardeman County: 17, Big Cut at 'Pine Top; 18, Rogers 

Spring; 19, gully nortli of old State Line road; 20, three-fourths 

mil,e west of Rogers Spring road; 21, 3 miles south of Saulsbury; 22, Saulsbury; 23, Center Church; 24, 2% miles northwest of Burnetts Store; 25, 2 miles southeast of Bolivar 

(Murrell place) ; 26, half a mile southeast of Walnut Grove 

Church; 27, Bolivar, west of bospital; 28, Young farm, northwest of Shandy; 29, 214 miles north of Shandy; 30, Mill Creek; 

31, Gin Creek; 32, Teague; 33, north of Clover Creek; 34, 1 

mile northeast of Cloverport; 35, 'Vhiteville; 36, Shepherd 

Price farm; 37, 514 miles south oof Whiteville; 38, Piney Creek, 

10 miles east of Bolivar; 39, 1* miles east of Grand Junction. 

Fayette County: 40, 1% miles west of Grand Junction; 41, 

Baughs Bridge; 42, one-fourth mile northwest of Smyrna 

Church; 43, Brinkley Place, Fayette Corners; 44, 1 mile west 

of Laconia; 45, 3 * miles northeast of Somerville; 46, balf a 

mile south of Henley's store; 47, north of LoosahatchieRiver, 

1 mile north of Somerville; 48, Safford-Lesquereux locality; 

49, float in Grenada ironstone; 50, 11/0 miles ,south of Somerville; 51, 1% miles south of Somerville-'Vhiteville road; 52, 

2:r%- miles southwest of Somerville; 53, 1~1l miles northeast of 

Williston; 54, three-fourths mile northwest of Pattersonville; 

55, road west of La Gra!1ge; 56, La Grange; 57, gully west 

of State road, La Grange; 58, Davenport property, La Grange; 

59, 1 mile south of Grand Junction; 60, 4%, miles southwest of 

Williston; 61, 5 miles southwest of Williston. 

Madison County: 62, Pinson; 63, cut, Gulf, Mobile & Northern Railroad, one-fourth mile south of Mandy; 64, Will 

Brooks farm, northwest of Mercer; 65, Jim Tomphson farm, 

northeast of Jackson; 66, 2 miles s.outheast of Spling Creek; 

67, Pope farm, north of Mercer; 68, one-fourth mile east of 

Denmark; 69, Jackson-Bolivar road, 5112 miles south of Jackson; 70, Mobile & Ohio Raili'oad, 4 miles north of Jackson. 

Gibson County: 71, 4 miles southwest of Trenton; 72, 1 mile 

west of Milan. 

Haywood County: 73, Somerville-Brownsville' road, 1 mile 

north of Dancyville. 

Carroll County: 74, Thompson-Barksdale prospect, 2 miles 

south of McKenzie; 75, Huckleberry Schoolhouse. 

Henry County: 76, Foundry Church pit; 77, 'Vhitlock pit; 

78, Breedlove pit; 79, Bradley pit; 86, Grable pit; 81, Puryear; 

82, Cottage Grove; 83, Atkins pit; 84, Spink pit; 85, Holcomb 

p'roperty, 2 miles south of Paris; 86, 1 mile southeast of New 

Boston; 87, Grove pit; 88, Cole pit; 89, pits southwest of 

Crossland. 

KENTUCKY 

90, Boaz, Graves County; 91, Wickliffe, Ballard County; 

92, Bell City pottery pit; 93, east of pottery pit, Calloway 

County. 

ILLINOIS 

94, Mound City, Pulaski County. 

ARKANSAS 

95, Boydsville, Clay County; 96, Gainesville, and 97, Hardys 

Mills, both Greene County; 98, Bolivar Creek, Poinsett 

County; 99, Benton, Saline County; 100, Malvern, Hot Spring 

County; 101, Jacksonville, Pulaski County; 102, Texarkana, 

Miller County; 103, Nevada County; 104, 5 miles north of Texarkana, Miller County. 

LOUISIANA 

105, Friersons Mill, 106, Mansfield, 107, Naborton, and 109, 

McLees, all De Soto Parish; 108, Negreet, Sabine Parish; 110, 

.Coushatta, Red River Parish; 111, 13h miles east of Bienville, 

Bienville Parish; 112, Cross Bayou, 113, Vineyard Bluff, 114, 

Slaugbter Pen Bluff, and 115, Spanish Lake, all Caddo Parish. 

TEXAS 

116, Old Port Caddo r~anding, and 117, 6 miles north of 

Scottsville, both Harrison County; 118, 13h miles west of 

Queen City, Cass (Jouuly; ,11tJ, Sabine River, Sabine County; 
THE COMPLETE WILCOX FLORA 41 

120, 10 miles southwest of Palestine, Anderson Co:unty; 121, 

Butler Dome, Freestone County; 122, Colorado River, Bastrop 

County; 123, Calaveras Creek, \\Tilson County; 124, Elmendorf 

pit, Bexar County; 125, Elm Creek, Uvalde County; 126, 2 

miles east of Tyler, Smith County; 127, 1 mile below Pullian 

rllnch house, 128, 11,6 miles south of La Pryor crossing, 129, 

Jug Slough, and 130, 5 miles northeast or La Pryor, all 

Zavala County; 131, Carrizo Springs, Dimmit County; 132, 

Concillas Creek, Webb Coun'~y. 

THE COMPLETE WILCOX FLORA 

In the following systematic list the numbers refer 

to the preceding list of localities: 

Phylum THALLOPHYTA 

Class FUNGI 

Order PYRENOMYCETES'l 

Caellomyces laurinea. 7. 

Caenomyces sapotae. 7. 

Caenomyces pestalozzites. 7, 12. 

Caenomyces annulatn. 40. 

Caellolllyces cussine. 40. 

Cuenomyces mYl'tae. 7. 

Phylum BRYOPHYTA 

Class HEP ATICAE 

Order MARCHANTIALES 

l\:[archantites stephensoni. 101. 

Phylum LEPIDOPHYTA 

Order LYCOPODIALES 

Family LYCOPODIACEAE 

Lycopodites? eollgniticus. 8. 

Phylum ARTHROPHYTA 

Closs CALAMARIEAE 

Order EQUISETALES 

Family EQUISETACEAE 

Equisetum sp. 30, 44, 63. 

Phylum FTERIDOPHYTA 

Closs LEPTOSPORANGIATEAE 

Order POLYPODIALES 

Family SCHIZAEACEAE 

Anemia eocenlcu. 18, 65, 74, 80, 81, 95, 106. 

Lygodium binervatum. 2, 6. 

Lygodiulll hastataforme. 130. 

Lygodium trilobatul1l. 13, 25, 26, 29, 3,3, 107, 120. 

Family POLYPODIACEAE 

Acrostichull1 sp. 130. 

Asplenium eoligniticum. 5, 97, 116. 

AsplenIum hurleyense. 6. 

Cheilanthes eocenica. 81. 

DL'yoptel'Is cludophleboicles. 106. 

l\:[eniphylloides ettingshauseni. 107, 116. 

Meniphylloides tennesseensis. 82. 

Phanerophlebites lmowltoni. 44, 52, 58. 

Ptel'is pseuclopennllefol'mis. 13, 19 ( ?), 107, 108, 113. 

Closs HYDROPTERIDA'E 

Order HYDROPTERALES 

Family SALVINIACEAE 

Salvinill pl'eauriculllta. 25 ( ?), 33, 63. 

Phylum CYCADOPHYTA 

Order CYCADALES 

Family CYCADACEAE 

Zamia mississippiensis. 13. 

Zamia tennesseeana. 27. 

Zamia wilcoxensis. 22, 107. 

Phylum CONIFEROPHYTA 

Class CONIFERAE 

Order CONIFERALES 

Family TAXINACEAE(?) 

Tax.ites? sp. 85, 92. 

Family CUPRESSINACEAE 

Athrotaxis? eolignitica. 81. 

Cupressinoxylon calli. 96. 

CupressinoxyloI! wilcoxense. 106, 107, 112, 114. 

Glyptostrobus europaeus. 7, 8, 16, 17, 26, 52, 55, 93, 115. 

Taxoclium dubiulll. 18, 26, 62, 79. 

Taxodium wilcoxianUll1. 16, 40. 

Phylum ANGIOSPERMOPHYTA 

Class l\IONOCOTYLEDONAE 

Order GRAMINALES 

Family POACEAE 

PoacHes sp. 44, 114. 

Family CYPERACEA:E 

Cyperacites minutus. 16. 

'Cypetacites wilcoxensis. 16. 

Cyper.acites sp. 95, 114, 127, 132. 

Order NAIADALES 

Family NAIADACEAE 

Potamogeton gli.icki. 63. 

Potamogeton? fructus. 16. 

Potamogeton incel'tus .. 29. 

Order ARALES 

Family ARACEAE 

Araceaeites friteH. 107. 

Acorus heeri. 55. 

Pistia wilcoxensis. 107. 

Order P ANDALES 

Family SP ARGANIACEAE 

Sparganium sp. 81. 

Order ARECALES 

Family ARECACEAE 

Chamaedorea danai. 4, 99. 

Nipadites bUl'tini umbonatus. 12, 82. 

Nipadites sp. Unknown. 

Pnlmocarpon buflerense. 17, 95, 121, 131. 

Palmocarpon syagrusioides. 33, 65. 

Palmocarpon cf. P. sessile. 81. 

, ! 

Sabalites grayanus. 7, 10, 12, 13, 17, 22, 25, 27, 30, 34, 36, 37, 

41, 43, 52, 56, 57, 59, 62, 65, 69, 74, 76, 77, 80, 81, 93, 95, 90, 

10~ 104(?), 10~ 113, 11~ 12~ 12~ 12~ 13~ 13L 13~, 

Order LILIALES 

Family SMILACACEAE 

Smilax' wilcoxensis. 55, 81. 

Order SCITAMINALES 

Family CANNACEAE 

Canna eocenica. 7, 12, 25, 30, 116, 132. 
42 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX. FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

POSITION UNCERTAIN 

Phyllites wilcoxensis. 12. 

Class DICOTYLEDONAE 

Superorder CHORIPETALAE 

Order JUGLANDALES 

Family JUGLANDACEAE 

J-Iicoria 'antiqUOl'um, 112. 

Hicoria crescentia. 45, 47, 49, 50, 52, 54, 61, 75. ' 

Juglans berryi. 91, 110. 

Juglans occidentalis. 17, 25, 43, 49, 60(?), 61. 

Juglans saffol'diana. 56. 

Juglans schimperi. 30, 37, 42, 45, 48, 54, 55, 56, 64, 74, 80, 93, 

95, 106, 132. 

Paraengelhardtia eocenica. 35 ( ?), 64, 80, 81, 82. 

Engelhardtia ettingshauseni. 8, 10, 12, 27, 30, 49, 53, 56, 61, 

, 65, 74, 80, 81, 91, 95, 99, 111, 130. 

Engelhardtia mississippiensis. 8. 

Engelhardtia pUl'yearensis. 65, 80, 81. 

Order MYRICALES 

Family MYRICACEAE 

Myrica elaeanoides. 6, 15, 40, 49, 61, 82, 90. 

Myrica puryearensis. 74, 81. 

Myrica wilcoxen sis. 12, 42, 82, 132. 

Order FAGALES 

Family F AGAOEAE ' 

Dryophyllum amplum. 107. 

Dryophyllum anomalum. 81, 104. 

Dryophyllum juvenale. 81. 

Dryophyllum moorii. 6, 91, 116. 

Di'yophyllum puryearense. 12, 16, 49, 50, 54, 61, 70, 80, 81, 91. 

Dryophyllum tennesseense. 7, 10, 12, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 29, 

30, 31, 33, 37, 42, 48, 52, 53, 54, 59, 61, 64, 65, 74, 76, 77, 78, 

80, 81, 83, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 104, 107, 131 ( ?) • 

Planera crenata? 12. 

Order URTICALES 

Family ULMACEAE 

Family MORACEAE 

Pseudolmedia eocenica. 56, 74, 81. 

I!'icus artocarpoides? 30 ( ?), 34, 43 ( ?), 106, 110, 130. 

Ficus cinnamomoides. 5 ( ?), 7 ( ?) . 

Incus denverialla? 91, 106, 110, 112. 

Ficus eolignitica. 97. 

I!'icus fructus pedicellata. 81. 

I!"icus fructus rostrata. 81. 

Ficus harrisiana. 74, 101, 107, 112, 113. 

Ficus mississippiensis. 4, 5, 6, 16, 17, 19, 29, 30 ( ?), 33, 36, 47, 

52, 54, 61, 81, 96, 103 ( ?), 106, 107, 111, 112, 116, 124, 131. 

Ficus mississippiensis cordata. 30, 65, 75. 

Ficus mississippiensis gigantea. 44, 47, 50. 

Ficus monodon. 6, 12, 81. 

Ficus myrtifolia. 8, 10, 22, 25, 33, 55, 56, 64, 65, 69, 73, 74, 

79,90,91. 

I!'icusmyrtifolia ampla. 54, 56, 81. 

Ii'icus myrtifolia ovata. 63, 65. 

I!'icus occidentalis? 6, 112. 

Ficus pandurifolia. 56. 

I!"icus puryearensis. 6, 12, 13, 22, 27, 29, 56, 59, 65, 80, 81, 83, 

95, 104, 111. 

Ficus puryearensis elongata. 27, 36, 81" 103. 

Ficus pseudocuspidata. 70, 81, 95. 

Ficus pseudolmediafolia. ' 27, 37 (?), 53, 81, 98~ 130. 

Ficus schimperi. 6, 41, 56, 81, 110, 116. 

Jj"icus tennesseensis. 30, 47. 

Ficus vaughani. 7, 52, 97, 116, 123. 

Ficus wilcoxensis. 16, 42, 52, 54, 81, 90, 91. 

Ficus sp. 10. 

Artocarpus dubia. 107, 110, 113. 

Artocarpus lessigiana. 110, 113. 

Artocarpus pungens. 12, 16, 17, ~, 107, 110, 115. 

Al'tocarpus sp. 10, 27. 

Artocarpoides baIli. 16, 25, 27, 29, 30, 44, 56, 82, 106. 

Artocarpoides wilcoxensis. 81, 103 (?). 

Order PLATANALES 

Family PLATANACEAE 

Platanus nobilis. 17, 25, 44, 60( ?). 

Order PROTEALES 

Family PROTEACEAE 

Palaeodendron americanum. 6, 97, 103, 107" 118, 121. 

Banksia saffordi. 12, 18, 29,. 30, 33, 40, 48, 64, 80, 81, 85, 86, 

90,91,118. 

Ballksia tenuifolia. 27, 29, 30, 31, 37, 49, 57, 65, 70, 80, 81, 

83, 91, 92, 93. 

Banksia puryearensis. 64, 81, 128, 132, 

Proteoides wilcoxensis. 12, 16 ( ?), 27, 54 ( ?), 56, 72, 81. 

Knightiophyllu,m wilcox·unum. 52, 81. 

Order ARISTOLOCHIALES 

Family ARISTOLOCHIAcEAE 

Aristolochia wilcoxiana. 40~ 

Order POLYGONALES 

Family POLYGONACEA·E 

Coccolobis eolignitica. 81. 

Coccolobis uviferafolia. 54, 76, 81, 95, 117, 130. 

Order CHENOPODIALES 

Family NYCTAGINACEAE 

Pisonia chlorophylloides. 6, 65. 

Pisonia eolignitica. 27, 80, 81, 103. 

Pisonia fructifera. 30, 

Pi sonia praejacksoniana. 80. 

Pisonia puryearensis. 81, 93. 

Order RANALES 

Family MAGNOLIACEAE 

Magnolia angustifolia. 16, 27, 44, 59 ( 1), 78, 80, 81, 83, i06. 

107, 110. 

Magnolia leei. 6, 23, 61, 81, 95, 106, 111. 

Magnolia leei angusta. 74, 80. 

Family ANONACEAE 

Anona ampla. 27, 36, 44, 52, 59, 65, 80, 81, 97, 107, 111 ( ?), 

126, 127, 131. 

Anona eolignitica. 16, 27, 36, 49, 52, 61 (?), 81, 107, 127. 

Anona robertsi. 17, 64, 65, 72, 80, 82, 85, 92. 

Anona wilcoxiana. 43, 71, 74, 81, 107, 131. ' 

Asimina leiocarpa. 6. 

Family MENISPERMACEA·E 

Menispermites americanus. 29, 30. 

Menispermites cebathoides. 106. 

Menispermites hardemanensis. 17, 30. 

Menispermites wilcoxensis. 107. 

Family CERATOPHYLLACEAE 

Ceratophyl1um il1certull1. ' 45. 
THE COMPLETE WILCOX FLORA 43 

Family NYMPHAEACEAE 

Nelumbo protolutea. 13. 

Order PAPA VERALES 

Family CAPP ARIDACEA·E 

Onppal'is eocenlca. 8, 10, 12, 27, 29, 30, 34, 44, 54, 55, 56, 57, 

64, 65, 75, 80, 81, 87. 

Oapllarls eocellica ampla. 16(?), 29, 92, 103. 

Order ROSALES 

Family HAMAMELIDACEAE 

Pat'rotia cuncata. 16( ?), 29, 92, 103. 

Liquldambar wllcoxianulll. 17, 25, 27. 

Family ROSACEAE 

Ollt'ysobalanus eocenica. 12, 16, 52, 81. 

Ohrysobalilllus inacqunUs. 12, 27, 48, 74, 81, 103. 

Family DRUP ACEAE 

Amygdnlus wilcoxinnn. 17, 35, 47, 52, 104. 

Prunus nnbortensis. 25, 27, 70, 77, 107. 

Family MIMOSACEAE 

Acacia wilcoxcnsis. 7. 

Jnga laurinafolia. 52, 87, 106, 110, 117. 

:rnga mississippicnsis. 8, 48, 74. 

Jnga puryellrClIsis. 81. 

Jnga wickliffcnsls. 91, 132. 

Pitllecolobium eocenicum. 29, 30, 81. 

Pithecolobium eocenlcum nnomnlul1l. 81. 

Pithecolobium oxfordense. 7, 50(·n. 

Ilithecolobium't teuJlesseense. 27. 

Milllosites acaciafolius. 29, 30, 33, 81. 

l\llmosltcs inaequilaternlis. 27, 30, 40, 65, 80. 

l\Iimosites lanceolatus. 30, 40. 

Mimositcs variabilis. 1, 8, 12, 18, 21, 22, 26, 27, 30, 33, 40, 55, 

64, 65. 72, 74, 80, 81, 91, 132. 

l\llmosites wilcoxensis. 30, 33. 

Family CAESALPINIACEA'E 

Oel'cis wilcoxiana. 9, 59. 

Oassia bentonensis. 99, 103, 123. 

Oassia bollmrensis. 27. 

Oassla cmarginata. 10, 40, 79, 80. 

Oassia eollgnitica. 8, 25, 27, 30, 40, 65, 80, 81, ~06. 

Oassia fayetteilsis. 9, 10, 27, 29; 30, 33, 34, 52, 53, 56, 61, 70, 

74, 80, 81, 82, 99, 103, 104. 

Onssin glenni. 8, 10, 30, 33, 40, 56, 64, 67, 71, 82, 83, 91. 

Oassia glenni major. 81. 

Oassia lowii. 12. 

Oassin marshallensis. 8, 26, '40, 58, 64, 65, 91, 132. 

Cnssia nictitanloides. 29. 

Oassia puryeal'ensis. 30, 52, 55, 56, 64, 80, 81, 82, 85, 92. 

Oassia robertsi. 82. 

Oassltl tennesseensls. 8, 30, 40, 59, 131. 

Oassia wilcoxlana. 10,30, 54, 56. 

Hymenaea coccnica. 30. 

Hymenaea wilcoxiana. 33. 

Parklnsonia eocenica. 56, 70. 

Oopaifera (?) wilcoxlana. 80. 

Oaesalpinia wilcoxiana. 8, 10, 37 (?), 46, 62, 65, 80, 81. 

Oaesalpillites bentonensis. 99. 

Oaesalpinites lllississippiensiS. 10, 30, 74. 

Onesalpil1ltes plnsoneusis. 31, 62. 

Onesalpiultes wilcoxen sis. 79, 80. 

GiecUtsla (?) mississippiclIsis. 12, 40, 80. 

Gleditsioph.yllum constrictutu. 81. 

GleditsiophyUUlll entadaforllle. 10. 

Gleditsiophyllulll eocellicum. 12, 13, 18, 26, 27, 30, 33, 42, 

52 ( ?), 57, 80, 81, 106, 118, 123, 128. 

Gleditsiophyllulll fl'UCtUOSUlll. 10, 126. 

Gleditsiophyllulll ellipticulll. 81. 

Gleditsiophyllulll hilgardianum. 6. 

Gleditsiophyllum ova tum. 81. 

Gleditsiophyllulll minor. 27, 33, 81. 

Family PAPILIONACEAE 

Canavalia aculllillata. 8, 27, 30, 54, 55, 64, 81. 

Canavalia eocenica. 10, 12, 27, 33, 54, 56, 65, 72, 74, 81, 83, 

103, 120, 130, 131. 

Cladrastis eocenica. 29. 

Dalbergia attenuata. 87. 

Dalbergia monospermoidea. 81. 

Dalbergia puryearensis. 60, 81. 

Dalbergia tennesseensis. 81. 

Dalbergia wilcoxiana, 30, 81, 83. ' 

Dalbergites ellipticifolius. 12, 13. 

Dalbergites ovatus. 12. 

Sophora henryensis. 27, 81. 

Sophora lesquereuxi. 48. 

Sophora mucronata. 27, 79 ( 1), 81. 

Sophora palaeolobifolia. 27, 29, 30, 40, 46( 1). 

Sophora puryearensis. 80, 81. 

Sophora repandifolia. 81, 121 ( 1). 

Sophora wilcoxiana. 10, 12, 18, 27, 30, 33, 40, 51, ,52, 56, 60, 

64, 65, 72 (1), 74, 80, 81, 86, 98, 100, 103, 104 ( ?), 107, 118, 

130, 131, 132. 

LEGUMINOSAE OF UNCERTAIN POSITION 

Legulllinosites andiraforl1lis. 54, 55, 87. 

Leguminosites arachioides. 105, 118. 

Leguminosites arachioides minor. 17, 19, 28. 

Legulllinosites astragaliformis. 72. 

Leguminosites chesterensis. 16, 17, 28. 

Leguminosites collinsi. 27, 30, 54, 60, 82. 

Leguminosites copaiferanus. 56. 

Leguminosites contortus. 82. 

Legulllinosites drepanocarpoides. 30. 

Leguminosites emarginatus. 64. 

Leguminosites hardemanensis. 28. 

Leguminosites bofflllanseggiaformis. 27. 

Legulliillosites ingafructoides. 27, 29, 30. 

Leguminosites monospe:rmoides. 30. 

Leguminosites panduriformis. 81. 

Leguminosites phyllocarpoides. 65, 80. 

Leguminosites pongamioides. 27. 

Leguminosites prefoliatus. 80, 81, 103. 

Leguminosites reniformis. 81. 

Leguminosites roberts 1. 59, 64, 81. 

Leguminosites shandyensis. 29. 

Leguminosites subovatus. 81. 

Leguminosites wickliffensis. 91. 

Order RUTALES 

Family RUTACEA'E 

Fagara eocenica. 81. 

Fngara hurleyensis. 6. 

Fagara puryearensis. 81. 

Citrophyllum bifoliolatum. ' 47. 

Citropbyllulll wilcoxianum. 81. 

Ptelea eocenica. 59. 

Rutaphyllum trifoliatum. 47. 
44 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Family ZYGOPHYLLACEAE 

Zygo.P,hyllum (1) eo.cenicum. 30. 

Family SIMARUBACEAI!: 

Simaruba eocenica. 25, 27, 64, 80, 81, 108. 

Simarubites eocenicus. 56. 

Family MELIACEAE 

Carapa eo.lignitica. 23, 54 ( ?), 56, 64, 81, 91. 

Cedrela mississippiensis. 8, 80. 

Cedrela mississippiensis majo.r. 80. 

Oed reI a mississippiensis mino.r. 80. 83. 

Cedrela o.do.ratifoIla. 27,' 56, 60, 81. 

Cedrela puryearensis. 79, 81. 

Cedrela wilcoxiana. 10, 18( ?), 26, 27, 30, 42, 46, 52, 60, 61, 80, 

81, 82,86. 

Order MALPIGHIALES 

Family HUMIRIACEAE 

Vantanea wiIcoxiana. 81, 107. 

Family MALPIGHIACEAE 

Biraea wilco.xiana. 27, 33 ( ?), 81, 95. 

Banisteria fructuo.sa. 81. 

Banisteria pseudo.laurifo.lia. 18 ( ?), 30, 33, 54, 61, 72, 80, 81. 

91, 118. ' 

Banisteria repandifo.lia. 81. 

Banisteria wilco.xiana. 40, 65, 91, 104. 

, Order EUPHORBIALES 

Family EUPHORBIACEAE 

Cro.to.no.phyllum eo.cenicum. 81. 

Cro.to.no.phyllum appendiculatum. 81. 

Eupho.rbio.phyllum fayettense. 40. 

Drypetes prekeyensis. 74, 81. 

Drypetes prelaterifio.ra. 10. 

Maniho.t eo.cenica. 30. 

Order SAPINDALES 

Family ANACARDIACEAE 

Anacardites eo.cenicus. 30, 103. 

Anacardites falcatus. 56, 65, 81. 

.Anacardites grevilleafo.lius. 12, 27, 81, 132. 

Anacardites inequilateralis. 47. 

Anacardites marshallensis. 10, 74. 

Anacardites meto.pifo.Uus. 9, 10, 33, 54, 65, 74, 81, 91, 92. 

Anacardites mino.r. 47, 79, 81 .. 

Anacardites puryearensis. 81, 92, 95. 

Anacardites serratus. 40. 

Heterocalyx saportana. 8, 30. 

Meto.pium wilcoxianum. 12, 27, 29, 56, 65, 74, 81, 83, 106, 116. 

Ilex affinis? 110. 

IIex eolignitica. 10. 

Family ILICACEAE 

IIex vo.mito.riafolia. 8. 81. 

Ilex sp. 27, 114. 

Family CELASTRACEAE 

Celastrus bo.livarensis. 27. 

Celastrus bruckmannifo.lia. 10. 

Celastrus eo.lignitica. 8, 40, 52. 

Celastrus taurinensis. 16, 101, 110. 

Celastrus veatchi. 8, 25, 56, 71, 110. 

Celastrus mino.r. 10, 30, 37, 52, 61, 74, SO, 82, 85. 

Celastro.carpus eo.cenicus. ,22, 25, 44, 75, 79. 

May tenus puryearensis. 47, 75, 81. 

Euo.nymus splendens. 8, 9, 19, 20, 23, 25, 28, 29, 36, 37, 40, 44, 

47, 50, 52, 53: 54, 59, 65, 66, 68, 74, 76, 81, 82, 85, 88, 101, 106, 

110, 122. 

Euo.nymus fructescens. 25. 

Family ACERACEA'E 

Negundo. kno.wlto.ni. ,47. 

Family SAPINDACEAE 

Cupannes amplus. 52, 74, 75. 

Cupanites eo.ligniticus. 81, 107. 

Cupanites fo.rmo.sus. 47, 52, 54, 64, 72. 

Cupanites Io.ughridgii. 52, 54, 91. 

Do.do.naea parvula. 27. 

Do.do.naea wilco.xiana. 10, 44, 80. 

Sapindus bento.nensis. 28, 99, 123. 

Sapindus co.ushatta. 110. 

Sapindus eoligniticus. 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, a,5, 46, 53, 56, 58, 64, 

69, 72, 81, 82, 83, 87, 91, 103. 

Sapindus 1'o.rmo.sus. 10, 12, 13, 28, 29, 30, 42, 43, 47, 49, 54, 60, 

61, 6~, 65, 72, 75, 79 ( ?), 80, 81, 91, 103, 107, 112. 

Sapindus fructiferuS. 30. 

Sapindus lineal'ifo.lius. 8, 10, 28, 29, 30, 42, 43, 46, 49, 53, 54, 

56, 61, 65, 69, 70, 72, 73, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 91, 106, 

107, 123, 124, 127. I 

Sapindus mississippiensis. 8, 12, 13, 15, 42, 52, 56, 74, 81, 84, 

91, 95, 98, 111 ( ?), 112. 

Sapindus kuo.wltoni. 81, 99. 

Sapindus oxfo.l'densis. 7, 12. 

Sapindus pseud~ffinis. 81, 130. 

Family ICACINACEAE 

Calatolo.ides eo.cenicum. 121. 

Order RHAMNALES 

Family RHAMNACEAE 

Zizyphus falcatus. 23 ( ?), 36, 52, 65, 81, 93 ( ?). 

Zizyphus meigsii. 4,7, 29(?), 40, 56, 81. 

Paiiurus augustuS. 10. ' 

Paliul'us mississippiensis. 8, 10, 18, 28, 52. 

Paliurus pinso.nensis. 62 . 

Reyno.sin wilco.xiana. 47, 65, 81. 

Reyno.sia praenuntia. 10, 50(?), 80, 81, 83. 

Reyno.sia praenuntia Io.ngepetio.lata. 81. 

Rhamnus cleburni. 12, 112. 

Rhamnus co.ushatta. 12, 16( ?), 34, 61, 75, 107, 110, 125. 

Rhamnus eo.ligniticus. 27, 29, 53, 74, 81, 106, 107. 

Rhamnus marginatus. 6, 54 (?), 81, 106. 

Rhamnus marginatus apiculatus. ·6, 106. 

Rhamnus puryearensis. 81. 

Rhamnites bercheminformis. 123. 

Rhamnites knowlto.ni. 30, 47, 49, 56, 61, 64, 65, 80, 82, 106, 107. 

110,126. 

Berchemia eo.cenica. 30, 64, 81, 82. 

Family VITACEAE 

Cissites nsymmetricn. 18 (?), 52. 

Cissites co.llinsi. 24, 25, 30, 33. 

Order MAL V ALES 

Family TILIACEAE 

Grewio.PsiS elegnns. 30, 85. 

Grewio.Psis tennesseensis. 17, 19, 27, 44, 46, 48, 54. 59. 63, 72, 

75, 77 (?), 116, 119. 

Grewio.Psis wadii. 74. 
THE COMPLETE WILCOX FLORA 45 

Family MAL"JACEAE(?) 

Monocnl'pelUtes perklnsi. 84.-

Family STERCULIACEAE 

Buettllerin eocenicil. 30. 

Helictoxylon wllcoxinnUIll. 107. 

Pterospermites cf. P. minor. 30. 

Sterculin knowltoni. 53, 64, 66, 88, 92, 93. 

Sterculia pUl'yenrensis. 12, 27, 81, 107. 

Sterculin wilcoxellsis. 17,25, 52(?), 59, 81, 106, 111(?), 131. 

Ste:l'culin znvnlnna. 130. . 

Stercul10cnrpus eocellicus. 105, 106, 107. 

Ste,rcuUocarpus seznllllelloides. 81. 

Stercul!ocnrpus sphericus. 56, 70, 80, 82, 83. 

Family BOMBACACEAE 

Bombncites eocellicus. 92, 93. 

Bombncites formosus. 81, 106. 

Bombncites wllcoxinllus. 81, 107. 

Order PARIETALES 

Family DILLENIACEAE 

Dlllenites microdentatus. 101, 106, 107, 110. 

Dillenites ovntus. 6, 17 (?), 60, 110. 

Dlllenites serratus. 10. 

Dillenites tetl'ncel'nfolius. 12, 27, 81. 

Dlllenites texellsis. 12, 60, 74, 122. 

Family TERNSTROEMIACEA'E 

Tel'llstl'Oemites crussus. 30, 59. 

Ternstroemites eoligniticus. 25, 27, 52, 55, 56: 69, 74, 81, 82, 95. 

Ternstroemites lanceolatus. 12, 30, 81, 83. 

Ternstroemites ovatus. 12, 47, 64, 65, 81, 92, 107. 

Ternstroemites pl'eclaibornensis. 30, 53, 54 ( ?), 81, 106. 

Family GUTTIFERAE 

Cll1sinphyllUlll eocenicum. 103. 

Family FLACOURTIACEAE 

Bllnnrn eocenicn. 27, 81. 

Family OCHNACEAE 

OUl'ntea eocenicn. 52, 74, 75, 76. 

Order LA URALES 

Family LAURACEAE 

Clnllamomum affine. 106, 107, 116. 

Cinnall10111Um buchU. 33, 110. 

OinllamOnlUll1 oblollgatulll. 30, 33, 56, 64, 65, 80, 81,' 83, 95, 

107. 

CiUlla1110111Ul11 obovatum. 10. 

CinnillllOml1m ovoldes. 16, 27. 

Cinllamolllum postnewberryi. 97, 113, 114. 

Persen fructifel'n. 30. 

I:'ersen IOllgipetlolnta. 36 ( ?), 81, 103, 107, 110, 116, 128. 

Pm'sea wilcoxlnna. 52, 105. 

Cl'yptocaryn eoligniticn. 110. 

Ol'yptocnl'yn wilcoxinna. 29, 33, 52. 

Oreodaphne coushnttn. 59, 107, 110. 

Oreoclnphlle intermedin. 30, 79. 

Ol'eodnphne mississippiensis. 10, 11, 23 (?), 52, 54, 55, 59, 

61, 64, 65, 72, 83, 85, 95, 102, 107, 110, 112, 128. 

Orednphne obtusifolin. 6, 10, 12, 16 ( ?), 27, 29, 30, 33 ( ?) , 

34, 59, 60, 74, 80, 81, 83, 92, 101, 106, 107, 111, 113, 127, 131. 

Oreodnphne puryenl'ensis. 7, 59, 81, 131. 

Oreodnphne pseuc1ogniullellsis. 37, 49, 52, 56, 61, 72, 74, 81, 

82, 92, 93, 110. . 

Oreodnphne salinensis. 30, 43, 44, 46, 61, 84, 99, 100, 106. 

Oreodaphne wilcoxen sis. 81. 

Mespilodaphne coushatta. 27, 55, 74, 81, 83, 103, 106, 110, 

112, 121, 128. 

Mespilodapbne eolignitica. 6, 12, 13, 29, 41, 42, 44, 49, 50, 

54, 61, 65, 81, 107, 11Q, 123. 

Mespilodaphne pseudoglauca. 9, 13, 39, 76, 81, 82, 90, 91, 107, 

112. 

l\1espilodapbne puryearensis. 54, 74, 75, 81. 

Nectalldra glenni. 17,25,32,40, 60(?), 84, 101(?), 103, 130. 

Nectandra lancifolia. 3, 4, 6, 12, 16, 41, 43, 48, 49, 52, 55, 56, 

58, 61, 80, 81, 83, 103, 107, 112, 116, 118, 130. 

Nectandra lowii. 7, 13, 29, 30, 3T, 41, 44, 56, 72, 87, 95, 103, 

106,118. 

Nectandrn parvula. 82. 

Nectandra puryearensis. 52, 65, 81, 95, 107. 

Nectalldra pseudocoriacea. 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 25, 

27, 33, 39, 41, 42, 46, 48, 52, 53, 54, 56, 61, 64, 65, 70, 74, 76, 

80, 81, 82, 83, 89, 95, 99, 103,. 104, 107, 110, 120, 130, 131. 

Nectnndra wilcoxensis. 74, 82. 

Nectalldra sp. 25, 81, 101, 107, 116,' 124. 

Laurus collinsi. SO, 56. 

Lam'us bardemanensis. 17. 

Lam'us verus. 106. 

Lauropbyllum fiorum. 40. 

Lauropbyllum juvenale. 81. 

Lauropbyllum prefiorum. 40. 

Laurinoxylon branneri. 98, 112. 

Laurinoxylon wilcoxiallum. 14, 38, 107. 

Order MYRTALES 

Family MYRTACEAE 

Myrcin bentollensiS. 7, 8, 12, 40, 53, 56, 70, 81, 82, 99. 

Myrcia grenadensis. 12, 47. 

Myrcin pnrvifolia. 27, 81. 

Myrcia puryearensis. 81. 

Myrcin vera. 8, 56, 74, 81, 82, 95, 103, 128. 

Myrcia wortbelli. 56, 81, 94. 

Calyptrantbes eocenica. 81, 83, lOS. 

Eugenia densinervin. 48. 

Eugenia grenadensis. 12, 79 ( ?), 128. 

Eugenia hilgarcliann. 6. 

Eugenia puryearensis. 81. 

Family COMBRETACEAE 

Lagunculnria preracemosa. 10, 60 ( ?), 81. 

Combretum leve. 33, 53, 54, 65, 74. 

Combretum obovale. 13, 49, 61, 81, 106. 

Combretum ova Ie. 6, 59, 116. 

Combretum wilcoxellse. 27, 29( 1), 53, 81, 130. 

Combl'etanthites eocenicus. 40, 74, 81. 

Terminnlia hilgnrdinna. 6, 81, 106, 107, 110, 112, 116. 

Terminalia lesleyana. 6, 59, 106,.107, 123. 

Terminnlin vern. 74, 80, 81, 93. 

Terminalin wilcoxiana. 12. 

Conocarpus eoligniticus. 79, 81, 107. 

Family HYDROCARYACEAE 

Trapa wilcoxen sis. 81. 

Family MELASTOMATACEAE 

Melastomites american us. 12., 18, 40, 64, 81, 106. 

Melastomites ovatus. 56. 

Melnstomites yerus. 7, 10, 27, 55, 56, 57, 59, 64, 65. 66. 80, 81 
46 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Order UMBELLALES 

Family ARALIACEAE 

Aralia dakotana. 12., 13. 

Aralia jorgenseni. 12. 

Aralia notata. 97, 109. 

Aralia? sem.ina. 92. 

Oreopanax minor. ' 81. 

Oreopanax oxfordensis. 7, 99. 

Oreopanax wilcoxensis. 27, 29, 30, 79; 87, 130. 

Oreopanax oxfordens!s crenulatus. 29, 30. 

SchetHera elliptica. 80. 

SchetHera formosa. 27, 30, 53. 

Family CORNACEAE 

Nyssa curta. 16. 

Nyssa eoligllitica. 15, 70, 81. 

Nyssa tellnesseensis. 30. 

Nyssa wilcoxialla. 22, 27, 81, 92, 93, 107. 

Superorder GAMOPETALAE 

Order MYRSINALES 

Family.M1;RSINACEAE , 

Icacorea prepaniculata. 56, 81, 126. 

Order EBENALES 

Family SAPOTACEAE 

Sideroxylon ellipticum. 16 (?), 81. 

Sideroxylon premastichodendron. 81. 

Chrysophyllum ficifolium. 12, 62. 

Bumelia americana. 33, 48, 50, 74, 81, 130(?). 

B umelia grenadensis. 12. 

Bumelia hurleyensis.' 6. . 

Bumelia pseudohorrida~ 81. 

Bumelia pseudolycioides. 82. 

Bumelia pseudotenax. 6, 8, 44, 123. 

Bumelia wilcoxiana. 8, 30, 80, 81, 82, 83. 

Mimusops eolignitica. 6, 59, 64, 65, 81. 

Mimusops mississippiensis. 12, 30, 74, 132. 

Mimusops prenuntia. 64, 79, 83. 

Mimusops sieberifolia. 81. 

Family 'EBENACEAE 

Diospyros asper. 30. 

'Diospyros brachysepala. 48, 81, 123. 

Diospyros eolignitica. 27,' 74, 103. 

Diospyros madisonensis. 63. 

Diospyros wilcoxiana, 27, 74, 81, 106. 

Diospyros sp. 80. 

Order GENTIAN ALES 

Family OLEACEAE 

Fraxinus johllstrupi. 12, 52, 81, 110. 

Fraxinus wilcoxiana. 81. 

Osman thus pedatus. 6, 47, 53, 54, 5C, ·81. 

Family APOCYNACEAE 

Apocynophyllum constrictum. 51, 85, 99. 

Apocynophyllum crassum. 27. 

Apocynophyllum linifolium. 15. 

Apocy~ophyllum mississippiense. 12, 17, 30, 33, 47, 49, 61, 65, 

76, 79, 80, 83, 95, 106. 

Apocynophyllum lllississipp~ense ovatulll. 30, 36. 

Apocynophyllum parvulum. 29. 

AnocynoDhyllulll preplumiera. 29. 

Apocynophyllum sapindifoliuni. 12, 16, 17, 18, 22, 30, 33, 34, 43, 

44, 53, 54, 55, 56, 65, 70, 72, 76, 81, 82, 83, 89, 92, 93, 99, 103, 

110, 129. 

Apocynophyllum tabellarulll. 7, 9, 80, 81, 95, 107, 116. 

Apoc~'nophyllum wilcoxense. 7, 16, 27, 33, 72, 81, 95, 103, 106, 

107, 118. 

Echitonium lanceolatum.· 17, 36 ( ?), 56, 81. 

Family ASCLEPIADACEAE 

Acerates wilcoxiana. 56, 70. 

Order POLEMONIALES , 

Family BORAGINACEA·E 

Cordia eocenica. 23, 81, 83,. 

Cordia? lowii. 6, 101. 

Order PERSONALES 

Family VERBENACEAE 

Citharexylon eoligniticUlll. 10, 12. 

A vicennia eocenica. 81. 

A vicennia nitidaformis. 8, 130. 

Family SOLANACEAE 

Solanites crassus. 29, ~O. 

Solanites' pusillus. 56, 80. 

Solanites saportanus. 10. 

Solanites sarrachaformis. 30. 

Family BIGNONIACEAE 

Bignonicapsula formosa. 68. 

Order RUBIALES 

Family RUBIACEAE 

lDxostema pseudocaribaeum. 8, 56, 91. 

Psychotria grandifolia. 81. 

Guettarda ellipticifolia. 10, 52, 81, 82, 83. 

Rubiacites pellicieraformis. 17. 

Rubiacites sphericus. 75, 79, 81, 92. 

Rubiacites wilcoxensis. 30, 93. 

POSITION UNCERTAIN 

Antholithes amentiferus. 82. 

Antholithes arundites. 81. 

Antholithes grablensis. 80.. 

Antholithes iliciformis, 82. 

Antholithes marshallensis. 8 .. 

AnthoIithes mimosaformis. 30. 

Antholithes pruniformis. 79. 

Antholithes ternstroemioides. 81. 

Antholithes wilcoxensis. 82. 

Calycites davallaformis. 81. 

Calycites milanensis. 72. 

Calycites ostryaformis. 123. 

Calycites puryearensis. 81. 

Calycites rhlzophoroides. 80. 

Carpolithus aggregatus. 30. 

Carpolithus aihlnthioides. 27. 

Carpolitb,us alatus. 23. 

Carpolithus banisteroides. 56.' 

Carpolithus bicapsulis. 56. 

Carpolithus biseminatus. 79. 

Carpolithus bolivarensis. - 27, 81. 

Carpolithus burseraformis. 81. 

Carpolithus callowayensis. 92. 

Carpolithus chesterensis. 16. 

Carpolithus collinsi. 16. 
HYDROPTERALES 47 

Carpolithus clellcatulus. 2i. 

Carpolithus' dictyolomoic1es. 81. 

Carpolithus fngarnfol'mis. 64, 81. 

Carpolithus gL·enac1ensis. 12. 

Carpolithus gronovil. 16, 27. 

Carpolithus henryensis. 81. 

Cnrpolithus hiraeaformis. 47. 

Curpolithus hyoseritifol'mis. 81. 

Carpolithus itiequilateralis. 56. 

Carpolithus juncafol'mis. 56. 

Carpolithus kentuckycnsis. 92. 

Cnrpolithus leitneriaformis. 30. 

Carpolithus longepedunculatus. 29, 30. 

Carpolithus malpighlaformis. 27. 

Carpolithus pilocal'poides. 12, 33, 35, 47, 52. 

Carpolithus poaformis. 23. 

Carpolithus plumosus. 81. 

Carpolithus prangosoides. 81. 

Carpolithus proteoides. 81. 

Carpolithus puryenrellsis. 30, 35, 47, 81. 

Carpolithus rotullc1nlatus. 27, 30, 79. 

Carpolithus sapindoldes. 23. 

Carpolithus shandyensis. 29, 87. 

Carpolithus silertoncnsis. 16, 30. 

Carpolithus somervillensis. 47. 

Cllrpolithus sophorites. 12. 

Cnrpolithus taylol'ensis. 16. 

Cnrpolithus tenllcsseensis .. 27, 81. 

Pterobalnnus texnnus. 131. 

Phyllites grenac1ensis. 12. 

Phyllites suspectus. 131. 

Phyllites sp. 81. 

lrlower pctals.· 81. 

Brllcts. 81, 82. 

Undeterminable leaf. 25. 

SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTIONS 

Phylum ARTHROPHYTA 

Class CALAMARIAE 

Order EQUISETALES 

Family EQUISETACEAE 

Genus EQUISETUM Linne 

Equisetum sp. 

Plnte 7, figure 1; Plate 50, figure 5 

The clays near Laconia, Tenn., are full of what 

appear to be tubers of some species of E quiset'Wm, and 

more rarely they contain frag~ents of what appear 

to be' rhizomes of the same sp.ecies. One specimen, that 

figured, shows nearly 5 centimeters of stem with one 

node, and at the node one of the tubers is attached and 

-two detached ones are lying near at hand. Fragments 

of stems as nluch as 1.5 centimeters in diameter and 

poorly preserved occur in the Wilcox of eastern Texas, 

nnd may be referred to this same form. A fragment of 

a slender stem about 4 millimeters in diameter shows 

an internode 3.3 centimeters long and two nodes with 

slender, acute teeth about 7 millimeters in length. 

Comparisons with previously described species a,re 

obviously of slight value, but the presence of this longranging genus in the Wilcox is of interest. A larger 

species is present in the later Eocene of this region. 

Occurr,ence: Holly Springs sanq., gully 1 mile west 

of Laconia, Fayette County, Tenn.; Mandy, Madison 

County, Tenn.; ""Vilcox formation, Queen City~ Cass 

County, Tex. 

Phylum PTERIDOPHYTA 

Class HYDROPTERIDAE 

Order HYDROPTERALES 

Family SALVINIACEAE 

Genus SALVINIA Adanson 

Salvinia preauriculata Berry 

Plate 7, figures 2, 3; Plate 50, figure 1 

Salvinia 2)1'ea1tr'umlata Berry, Torreya, vol. 25, p. 116, figs. 1-4, 

1925 (1926). 

Dorsal or floating leaves relatively thick, elliptical, 

with a rounded apex and a rounded or slightly cordate 

base; of different sizes; the maximum dimensions observed are 16 millimeters in length and 10 millimeters 

in width. The mid vein is well defined. The laterals 

are thin, nearly straight, diverging at regular intervals, very ascending in the tip of the leaf, the angle ' 

of divergence decreasing regularly proximad, the basal 

laterals being in places even slightly descending; they 

are connected by numerous thin and for the most part 

poorly seen oblique veinlets. The tubercles or pits lie 

in rows between the 'laterals and are usually well 

marked but somewhat irregularly developed. No ventral (submerged) leaves or sporocarps ha.ve been observed in the Wyoming material from the Bridger (n 

formation, although spherical bodies about 2 millimet.ers in diameter are closely associated with the 

leaves, and these might possibly represent sporocarps. 

The specimen from the Holly Springs sand at Mandy, 

'renn., shown in Plate 50, Figure 1, is unique in show- 0 

ing a complete and what appears to be a fruiting 

plant. Four floating leaves, three of which are nearly 

perfect, are clearly made out, as well as 14 threadlike 

divisions of the submerged leaves, with their appendages. Several of these dissected submerged leaves 

appear to be complete and are 2.5 centimeters in 

length. Iminediately beneath the lowermost and incomplete floating leaf are two small subspherical 

bodies about 1.25 millimeters in diamet.er, and these 

appeal' to be in organic union with the submerged 

leaves at their base and to represent sporocarps. 

These bodies are brownish carbonaceous and of considerable consistency, so that when the plant was 

buried and flattened in the mud the floating leaf was 

pressed over them, and when the clay was split the leaf 

film over them flaked off. Immediately beside these 

objects that are interpreted as sporocarps is a similar 
48 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

impression in the clay without any carbonaceous resi~ 

due; .which might represent a third sporocarp. 

There can not be the slightest doubt regarding the 

botanic affinity of this species, and, although it is not 

possible to verify the interpretation of the sporocarps, they appear very convincing. In the Wind 

River Basin this species is found in Bridger (?) deposits on the same slabs with the fruits of Spm'uolf//vwm 

and other representatives of a lakeside or slack-stream 

vegetation. In Tennessee it is associated with a large 

and varied coastal and lagoon-border flora.. 

Scilvinia preauriculata is so named because of its 

great similarity to the existing Salvinia auriCJUlata 

Aublet, which ranges from' Cuba and Central America to Paraguay. Among the described fossil species 

it is closest to Salvinia zeilleri Fritel. The vVilcox 

beds in which it is found are correlated with the 

Y presian stage of the Eocene. The Wyoming occurrence, less certainly correlated, is somewhat younge1' 

and may belong in the Lutetian stage of the4 middle 

Eocene. :rf this correlation is correct, it would tend 

to indicate that this species had spread northward to 

Wyoming from equatorial America during Eocene 

time. 

The nominal fossil species of Salvinia number about 

a dozen. The oldest of these are the present species 

and Salvi1llia zeilleri Fritel,S2 from the. Sparnacian 

stage of the Eocene of the Paris Basin. Salvinia 

z.eilleri; is one of the most completely preserved fossil 

species and is also more like the Wilcox species than 

any of the later Tertiary forms. There is a rather 

well-marked species from the Puget group (upper 

Eocene) in the State of Washington. ss 

The later forms, which are all from the Old 1V or1d~ 

except some species in the Miocene of Colombia S4 and 

Virginia,85 comprise Oligocene species in France, Sax-

, ony, and Bohemia and Miocene species in Germany, 

Bohemia, Switzerland, Transylvania, Tonkin, China" 

and Japan. These have been reviewed recently in an 

important paper by Florin. S6 

All the fossil species are based primarily upon the 

dorsal leaves, but the dissected veJ)tral or submerged 

lea ves and sporocarps are present in some specimens, 

so that there is little doubt regarding the identification 

of the majority of the fossil forms referred to Salvinia. Brabenec 81 some years ago described speci8~ Fritel, P. H., Jour. botanique, 2d ser., vol. 1, p. 190, 1908. 

28 HOllick, Arthur, Torrey Bot. Club Bull., vol. 21, p. 255, 1894. 

84 Engelbardt, Hermann, Senckenberg. naturf. Gesell. Abb., Band 19, 

p. 39, pI. 3, figs. 18, 19, 1895. 

86 Berry, E. W., Jour. Geology, vol. 17, p. 21, 1909. 

86 Florin, Rudolf, Eine Ubersicht del' fossHen SaZvinia-Al'ten mit 

besondel'el' Berticksichtigung eines Fundes von Salvinia formosa Heel' 

1m TertHir Japans: GeoI. Inst. Upsala Bull., vol. 16, PP. 243-260, 

pI. 11, 1919. • 

87 Brabenec, Bedflch, 0 novem nalezisti tretihornlch l'ostlin ve 

spodnfm pl\smu vl'stev zateckycb: Rozpr. Ceske Akad., Tf. II, vol. 13, 

No. 18, 25 pp., 1 pl., 1904. 

mens of the Miocene species Salvinia formosa Heel' 

from the Sa"az Basin in Bohemia that were said to 

show recognizable microspores and megaspores. 

The existing 'species of Salvinia number 12 or 13 and 

are found chiefly in the equatorial regions of the 

world, especia.lly in South America, where with Az.olla, 

they are often present in myriads of individuals. One 

species, Salvinia natans Hoffmann, is found from 

southern France to India and northern China and has 

been reported from several localities in the United 

States. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Boli var-J ackson 

road north of Clover Creek and about 2 miles southeast of Bolivar, on Murrell property (?), Hardeman' 

County, Tenn.; Mandy, :NIadison County, Tenn. \ 

Class LEl'TOSl'ORANGIATAE 

Order l'OLYPODIALES 

Family l'OLYl'ODIACEAE 

Genus l'HANEROl'HLEBITES Knowlton 

Phanerophlebites knowltoni Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 7, figure 6 

Frond habit unknown .. Pinpae large, sinlple, elongate, with entire margins. Apex and base missing. 

Texture apparently not coriaceous to judge from the 

very fragmentary nature of the specimens and the extent to which the lamina is pushed apart. between the 

veins during fossilization. The midvein is very broad 

but was apparently somewhat flat rather than stout 

and prominent in life. The lateral veins are ~hin, 

diverging at an acute angle, curving rapidly outward, 

dichotomous and anastomosing. 

The material is insufficient for a proper diagnosis, 

but as it represents a unique type, ·new to the vVilcox 

flora., it was deemed important enough to record with 

as much detail as could be made out. , 

The genus was proposed by Knowlton 88 for a single 

species from the Laramie formation of Colorado, the 

name resting on the resemblance shown to the recent 

ferns of the genus Phanerop"~lebi(J;. The present 

species differs from the type, P hanerophlebites pealei 

Knowlton, in its more delicate texture, less prominent 

midvein, and more ascending lateral veins. It appears to have been not u~common in the Wilcox, but 

all of the specimens are sma.ll fragments. Its presence 

in the Wilcox is of especial interest, be~ause a prob-. 

lematic typ~, described by the writer in 1919 as P hyllites asplentioides 89 and rather common in the Coffee 

sand member of the Eutaw formation of Tennessee, 

appears to be a representative of this same genus. The 

specimen from the Eutaw was a very large, form, unfortunately in a fragmentary condition. I It showed 

88 Knowlton, F. H., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 130, p. 110, 1922. 

89 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 112, p. 140, pI. 33, 

1919. 
POLYPODIALES 49 

the same widened mid vein and somewhat flabellate 

dichotomous anastomosing venatiol1-. 

The living genus PIUJ/11,e1'ophlebia, to which these 

fossil species appear to be related, contains about a 

dozen closely related species that range from Mexico 

to Brazil. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, gully 1 mile west 

of Laconia, Fayette County, Tenn.; gully west of La 

Grange, on Davenport property, Fayette County, 

Tenn. Grenada formation, 2.9 miles southwest of 

Somerville, just below 1\10ses Hall, Fayette County, 

Tenn. 

Gen us MENIPHYLLOIDES Berry 

Meniphylloidcs tennesseensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 49, figures 1-5 

Fronds simple or once pinnate. All the numerous 

specimens are detached and have a considerable rachis, 

which rather favors the opinion that they are fronds 

rather than pinnae, but no conclusions can be reached 

on this point. They are lanceolate to linear-Ianceolate. 

rrexture coriaceous. Margins entire, inclined to be 

f-lightly revolute. Base rather uniformly acuminate. 

Apex varying from abruptly pointed to acuminate. 

Length rnnging from 4 to 12 centimeters. Maximum 

width ranging from about 1 to 2.25 centimeters. 

Rachis stout, curved, maximum length 1.5 centimeters. 

1\1idvein stout prominent on the under side, tending 

to be sulcate on the upper side. Laterals diverging 

at angles of 60° to 80°, fairly stout but not prominent, 

spaced at intervals of about 2 millimeters, their tips 

connected by somewhat irregular arches in the marginal region. The space between is netted veined, with 

mostly quadrangular but somewhat variable meshes. 

The ultimate vein endings appear to be free inside 

the meshes, but this feature is generally obscure because of the faintness of the venation on the upper 

surfa,ce and because of the fact that nearly every 

ai'eole on the lower surface is occupied by a fusiform 

brownish object which I first thought represented sori 

but which I conclude is of a ramental nature or a· 

glandular secretion. Undoubted free endings are clear 

in some places, but in most places obscure as indicated above. The so-called late·rals are not differentinted in some specimens, and all of the laterals, both 

primary and intermediary, are of approximately the 

same size. 

It is not at all certain that the foregoing seemingly 

characteristic features are J correctly interpreted, and 

it is possible that these interesting specimens may not 

(!ven be those of a fern but that they represent some 

glandular dicotyledonous leaf. 

After mature consideration I· have decided to incl ude this species in the genus AI enipl~ylloides, esta blished in 1916 for a species from the Grenada formation of Mississippi. This decision will modify the 

generic diagnosis, which w.as· based on the type in 

which free veinlets were lacking. 40 

'Vhen collected I supposed 'that the fusiform spots 

within the areolae represented sori, but they show no 

traces of spores in microscopic preparations, and are 

homogeneous and structureless. Professor Bower, 

... rho, during his recent visit to America, examined the 

specimens with me, regarded these sorilike objects as 

glands .at the blind endings of the veins within the 

areolae, and this seems to be the most likely. explanation, as they are variable in size, are found within both 

large and small areolae anywhere on the lamina, and 

·are homogeneous and not structurally differentiated. 

Bower agreed with me in considering that the venation suggested the Dryna1'ia type, although it is not 

a typical expression of that· type. This conclusion 

cloes not greatly help in attempting to fix the existing 

FIGURE 8.-Fragment of Meniphylloides tennesseensis Berry. 

showing venation and glandular secretion. X 4 

relatives of the fossil. Ettingshausen, In his artificial classification of filicalean foliar types, instituted two groups which included forms similar to 

this and which he termed Dryna1'ia 1'egularis and D. 

irregularis, but there is considerable intergradation 

and much variability in details, and this type of 

venation is now known to characterize a variety of not 

closely related Polypodiaceae and to be approached 

by some others that have what has usually been termed 

the M enisciu171J type of venation. 

I thought of using Dryna1'ia as a generic term for 

the present fossil, but that would suggeRt relationships 

that are not warranted and is at variance with the 

usually accepted rules of nonlenclature. I have not 

been able to find any existing form which actually 

matched the fossil, but it is approached by a v,ariety 

of existing species, especially in the large and varied 

genus Dryopteris. . 

The present species resembles M eniphylloides ettingslwuseni Berry in general form but tends to be 

more elongated and less acuminate at both ends. It 

differs in having an entire margin and a glandular 

surface, in .the more rectangular areolation, the free 

40 Berry. E. W., 'l~he lower Eocene floras of southeastern North 

America: U. S. Oeo1. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 166. 1916. 
50 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTER.N STATES 

veinules, and more prominent midvein, and in the 

absence of a marginal vein. The two nevertheless 

appear to me to be rather closely related, and in the 

absence of more conclusive data to be properly within 

the limits of a single genus. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. (abundant). 

Genus CHEILANTHES Swartz 

Cheilanthes eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 35. 

Fronds at least bipinnate. Stipe narrowly winged. 

Pinnae elongate triangular, finely divided. Pinnules 

small, alternate, somewhat irregularly scalloped or 

lobed with rounded scallops, and tip. Substance thick. 

Venation' obscured. This species is based upon a considerable amount of fragmentary material, the specimen figured being the largest one discovered. 

One of the reasons for regarding this form as a 

species of CheilatnthJel/3 is the manner of dissection of 

the fronds, which are superficially very similar to 

those of existing species of this genus. A more convincing reason is that the pinnule margins are clearly 

much involute, and in the clearer specimens this region 

is marked by relatively large circular swellings about 

0.5 millimeter in diameter, which may well be considered sori. No other details can, of course, be made out 

in the carbonized remains, but their general organization, as I believe I have correctly interpreted it, seems 

to me conclusive evidence of relationship. 

The genus Oheilamthes has been variously segregated 

by students of recent ferns, and some of its subgenera 

are commonly given generic rank, but for paleobotanic 

work it seems best to use the name in a broad sense. 

So far as I know no fossil species of O''heilamthes have 

been described. Goeppert proposed the term Okeilanthites for certain Paleozoic plants that are certainly 

unrelated to Ohieilamthes. The only American fossil 

form that at all resembles the present species, and I 

believe this resemblance to be purely superficial, is a 

form represented by some thin sterile fragments from 

the so-called Laramie of Yellowstone Park de~cribed 

by Knowlton 41 as Asplenium /wJg1J)ei. 

The present species appears to me to differ from 

Dicksonia, OyathJe(J), Alsophila,' and other modern genera with which it has been compared. In the genus 

C heilanthes a large number of existing forms from 

various continental areas might be mentioned as closely 

resembling the fossil form. In America two similar 

existing species are Oheilamthes moritzianaJ Kunze of 

Mexico and northern South America and OheilaJnthes 

lendigera Swartz of northern South America., Other 

41 Knowlton, F. H., U. S. GeoI. Survey Mon. 32, pt. 2, p. 655, pI. 77, 

figs. 1, 2, 1899. 

forms might perhaps as justly deserve mention, and I 

attach no particul~r significance to those nlentioned. 

The genus has between 50 and 100 species in the 

temperate and tropical parts of all the continents, and 

a considerable number are characteristic of such rocky 

and semiarid regions as those of our trans-Mississippian southwestern country, but several still exist 

around the perimeters of the Eocene ~1ississippi embayment. 

The present species is known only from the single 

locality cited below and may have been derived from 

the Paleozoic lim.estone country which lay in the eastern hinterland of the upper embayment. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Family SCHIZAEACEAE 

Genus LYGODIUM Swartz 

Lygodium hastataforme Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 7, figure 4 

Pinnules entire, simple, ligulate, and generally nlOre 

or less falcate. widest at or above the middle, with a 

rounded tip al~d a cuneate sessile base. Length about 

7 centimeters; maximum width about 2 centimeters. 

Margins entire, distinctly undulate or broadly and 

flatly crenate. Texture subcoriaceous. ~1idrib ~tout, 

prominent, and generally curved; laterals eli verge 

from it at very acute angles, curving somewhat outward, and are regularly twice or thrice dichotomous. 

This material obviously does not represent Pte1is', 

Bleclinu~m, Aspleniwn~, or Anemia. It is somewhat. 

~mggestive of GY'Tn;nogram/l1,}e tTifoliata Desvaux of 

Peru, but, on the other hand, it is practically identical 

with the existing Lygodiurnv. lu1.staJ.twrrlA Desva ux of 

J1.orthern South America (Brazil, Guiana, and other 

countriep), which resemblance has suggested the specific name of the fossil. 

The genus is represented in t.he earlier 'Vilcox by 

the conspicuo~lsly different Lygodiwrn.l bine1'vat'tt1n 

Berry 42 and reappears in the Claiborne in LygodiU1n 

k(JfU;lfWsi Heer. The two' la.st belong to the palmate 

section 'of the genns: and the present species is obviously simple. It is represented by several specimens. 

Occurrence: Carrizo sandstone, east bank of the 

Nueces, 5 miles N .. 30° E. of La Pryor, Zavala 

County, Tex. 

Lygodium trilobatum B~rry, n. sp. 

Plate 7, figure 5 ~ 

Pinnules small, trilobate. Lobes narrow, linear, diverging at a.ngles of about 45°, separated by deep, 

narrow sinuses. Base rounded. Venation characteristic of the genns, three stout primaries made up of 

42 Berry, E. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 165, pI. 10, 

figs. 3-8, 1916. 
CYCADALES 51 

coalescent secondnries diverging from the base. Secondaries thin, ascending, dichotomously branched but 

slightly curving, terminating in the entire margins. 

Length about 7 centimeters; maxinnun width about 

8 centimeters; width of lobes 11 to 12 millimeters. 

This species is very similar to previously described 

species: of which three are now ]mown from the 'Vilcox and a fourth fr01n the Claiborne. The present 

species differs from LygodJiwn1 bine1"VOJtu1n (Lesque· 

reux) Berry, the common lower 'Vilcox species, in its 

trilobate habit, smaller size, narrower and more 

elongated lobes, finer and more ascending venation. 

The differences between it and the simple-pinnuled 

Lygodiu1n hastataJfor17vis of the upper Wilcox of 

Texas are too obvious to require comment. 

Lygod~U171i, lcaulfu'ssi Heel' of the Claibo'rne and 

western Tertiary is a larger, more coriaceous form, 

usually quadrilobate, with long slender lobes. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 21,4 miles north 

of Shandy, road half a mile southeast of ",Valnut 

Grove Church, Hnl'deman County, Tenn., Grenada 

fornuttion, near Meridian, Miss. ",Vilcox formation, 

nenr N aborton, La. 

Genus ANEMIA Swartz 

Anemia eocenica Berry 

Plate 47, figure 1 

Anoimi(l, cooeniO(l, Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper m, 

p. 164; pI. 9, fig. 7; pI. 10, fig. 2; pI. 11, figs. 1, 2, 1916. 

The fine specimen from Puryear figured herewith 

is a larger portion of frond than any found previously. 

It. is similar to the Raton species, Ane'lnia occidentali<3 

I(nowlton, and comparable forms occur in the Denver 

forInation. A similar form, possibly specifically distinct and possibly only a variety of Anemia ,eocenica 

is present in undescribed material from the Fayett~ 

sandstone of Trinity County, Tex. 

The present species has been found at seven localities, widely distributed along both shores of the 'Vilcox embayment. So far a,s known, it is confined to 

the horizon of the Holly Springs sand. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Rogers Spring, 

Hardeman County, Tenn.; Jim Tomphson farm; 3¥.., 

miles northeast of Jackson, :Madison County, Tenn.; 

Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 Iniles south of 

McI(enzie, Carroll County, Tenn.; Grable pit and 

Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. Wilcox formation, 

Boydsville, Ark., and Mansfield, La. 

Phylum CYCADOPHYTA 

Order CYCADALES I 

Family CYCADACEAE 

Gen us ZAMIA Linne 

Zamia tennesseeana Berry, n. sp'. 

Plate 32, figure 8 

The only two alternatives' regarding, the botanic 

affinity of this fossil appear to me to be the Cycadacea'3 

and the Nageia section of the genus Podocarpus. The 

genus N ageiopsis of Fontaine, which is supposed to 

be related to the modern lVageia, is a common type 

throughout the LO'wer Cretaceous in eastern North 

America, and if the present detached specimen had 

come from Lower Cretaceous strata I would be inclined to identify it as N ageiopsis angustifolia Fontaine. The genus Nageiopsis is definitely excluded 

from the' Cycadaceae by the charact~r of the branched 

twigs, but in the absence of any evidence of this sort 

in the Wilcox specimen, and in the absence of definitl3 

proof of an actual botankal relationship between 

N ageiopsw and N ageia, the probability is all in the 

direction of the present specimen representing a cycad 

pinnule. If it had a midrib it would very likely 

represent some member of the tribe Bambusae, or other 

grass. ~s there is no midrib and the veins are stouter 

and closer and the texture is also nlore coriaceous than 

normally obtains among the grasses, the choice of 

identity seems narrowed to the Cycadaceae, and in this 

restricted family, at least as developed in southeastern 

North America in the Tertiary and recent floras, the 

choice would seeln to be further restricted to the genus 

Za17Lia. It may be described as follows: 

Pinnule lanceolate, wi,dest below the middle, tapering upward to an obtuse point; not bi'laterally synl· 

metrical, one margin being nearly straight and the 

other curved. Texture subcoriaceous. A distinct basal 

callosity or area of attachment present. Length about 

6.5 centimeters; maximum width about 6 millimeters. 

Veins stout, parallel in the median part of the pinnule, 

where they number 19 or 20; they converge slightly 

distad and more noticeably proximad, coalescing into 

about ha.lf the normal number in the extreme base. 

Of the existing genera of cycads in the Western 

IIemisphere-Za'l7Lia, Oeratoza1nia, Dion, and Microcycas-all except the first have foliage unlike the 

fossil. Zannia is the only one of these genera not 

exceedingly restricted in both distribution and differentiation, and it contains over one-third of the 

existing species of the whole cycad family. Its 35 or 

more living species are scattered from southern Florida 

and Mexico through the Antilles to about latitude 

24° S. in South America east of the Andes. Among 

these species there is considerable variation in the size 

and proportions of the pinnules. During the Tertiary 

the range was considerably greater, for well-marked 

Z(]YJnia remains have been found as far south as latitude 38° S.,48 and in our American Eocene they reach 

northward to western Tennessee in the east and to 

Alaska in the west. 

The habitat of the modern species ranges from 

humid to nearly arid not only in Z((JJnia but through-

(8 Beny, E. W., Johns Hopkins Univ. Studies in Geology, N\). 4, p. 

L20, pI. 1, fig. 4 ; pI. 2, figs. 1-3, 1922. 
52 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

out the whole family, so that in the Tertiary, at any 

rate, they can not Le considered as throwing any 

precise light on environmental conditions, which must 

be derived from associated forms. 

Two other supposed :species of Zanda have been recorded from the Wilcox-the somewhat doubtful 

Zmmia (~) w~lcowens-is Berry,44 a much larger form, 

yery imperfectly known, and Z(JJJnia 1nississippiensis 

Berry,45 an indubitable Z(JjJnia with small, slender 

fronds· with few veined blunt pinnules like those of 

the existing Zamia floridana De Candolle. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Phylum CONIFEROPHYTA 

Order CONIFERALES 

Family PINACEAE 

Genus GLYPTOSTROBUS Endlicher 

Glyptostrobus europaeus (Brongniart) Heer 46 

Plate 7, figures 7-9 

This widespread species was recorded from two localities in the Holly Springs sand of northern Mississippi in 1916, one occurrence being based upon a small 

fragment of a twig and the other on somewhat problematic seeds,. both preserved in the clays. A second 

small fragment of a twig was collected from a third 

locality in the Wilcox in 1923. The total record from 

the clays has thus been two small specimens, although 

the clays have been very thoroughly explored and 

there are many openings. The astonishing abundance 

of Glyptostrobus twigs in the lignite band at the out:-

crop on the Taylor farm in Chester County, Tenn., is 

Rll the more remarkable. This 12-inch lignite bed conr~jsts almost entirely of these twigs. They show considerable differences in appearance, according as the 

leaf bases are short or elongated. Several of these are 

figured. No traces of GlyptostroDus cones have been 

detected in the lignite, although seeds and fruits of 

various other kinds of plants are not uncommon. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, road west of La 

Grange, Fayette County, Tenn.; Silerton road,' 

Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

Genus TAXITES Brongniart 

Taxites (?) sp., Berry 

Plate 36, figures 1, 2 

Based npon rather stout leafy twigs. Leaves flat~ 

coriaceous, Iinear-lan~eolate, with acuminate tips, ab4! Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 169, pl. 114, 

fig. 2, 1916. 

41 Bel'rY, E. W., U. S. Geo1. Survey Prof. Paper 108, p. 63, fig. 17, 

1917. 

16 The extensive synonymy of this probably composite species is given 

in Berry, E. W., U. S. Geo1. Survey P~of. Paper 91, pp. 171-172, 1916. 

ruptly narrowed to a decurrent base, 2 centimeters or 

less in length and 2 lllillillleters in maximum width. 

The mid vein is broad but not prominent; on either 

~lide of it parallel with and close to the margin a line 

of contact is impressed on the clay matrix, indicating 

that the stomata were in broad bands on either side 

of the midrib. The material is in the form of ferric 

oxide replacement, and no structural details can be 

made out. There is little doubt, however, that the 

interpretation just given is the correct one. The phyllotaxy is spi~al and the habit of the .more mature 

specimens is more or less bifacial, less so in the smaller 

and presumably younger specimens. 

There is a considerable uncertainty regarding the 

best method of treating these fossils. The leaves are 

exactly like those of the existing Sequoia se171-pe'l'virens 

(Lambert) Endlicher and should possibly be referred 

to the· ubiquitous and probably composite Sequoia 

loogsdorfii (Brongniart) Heer, the wood of which 

was recorded by Penh allow 47 from the Claiborne 

Eocene of Texas. No trace of t~e cones or foliage of 

Sequoia has been discovered in the Eocene of southeastern North America, and Penhallow's determination of the wood lllay be erroneous. It seems strange 

if Sequoia was a member. of the Wilcox flora that no 

traces of cones should have been. discovered in these 

prolific and widely explored deposits. Other extremely similar existing types are those of the genera 

TawU's and Twmion (or T01"reya), species .of which 

still exist in the Florida region. The difficulty is increased by the presence of stomatiferous bands, such 

as might serve to indicate a relationship to Taxus or 

Torreya, in Sequoia se17Lpervirens. Despite this resemblance to the modern redwood, I am referring the 

fossils to the form genus Taxites of Brongniart, thus 

signifying my belief that they are related to Taxu8 

or Torr.eya. I am influenced in this course by' the 

nondiscovery of Sequoia cones in the Wilcox and by 

the practical identity t>etween the present remains 

and those from the Eocene that have been referred to 

Taxites, fruits of which would be less likely of preservati'on or recognition than those of Seq'lJ)oia, as, for 

example, the Fort Union forms referred to Taxites 

olriki Heer. 48 It is true that these are all from much 

more northern localities, as remote as those furnishing 

Sequoia, but the survival to modern times near the 

Gulf coast of both Taxus and Torreya has considerable wei'ght. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Holcomb property, Henry County, Tenn. 

47 Pen ballow, D. P., Roy. Soc. Canada Trans., 3d ser., vol. 1, sec. 4, 

pp. 94, 95, 1917. 

4S See Knowlton, F. H., U. S. Geol. Survey Mon. 32, p. 680, pI. 82, 

figs. I, 3, 4, 1899. 
CYPERALES 53 

Genus TAX ODIUM L. C. Richard 

Taxodium wilcoxianum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 7, figures 10-12 

7'amoclimn sp., Berry, U. S. Geo1. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 173, 

pI. 15, fig. 9, 1016. 

:Heretofol'e the single seed figured in 1916 was' the 

only trace of TaworliWln seeds found in the "Vilcox. In 

the lignite band at the outcrop in Chester County, 

Tenn., cypress seeds are common and characteristic. 

They probably represent the widespread Tertiary 

species 11awodiwm duoiwrn (SternberO') Heel' or ~s • . b " It IS more commonly called, Tawodium disticl~um miocenum Heel'. As ~his probable relationship bet~een 

foliage and seeds can not be demonstrated, it has 

seemed proper to definitely name the seeds. 

They are absolutely typical of Tawodium and differ 

from the seeds of the existing bald cypress Tawodiu(ln 

disticl~u'ln Richard, merely in being slight!; below the 

average of this species in size and in being somewhat 

more slender. . 

Occurrence: IIolly Springs sand, Silerton road, 

Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

Phylum ANGIOSPERMOPHYTA 

Class MONOCOTYLEDONAE 

, Order GRAMINALES 

, Genus POACITES of authors 

. Poacites sp. Hollick 

Plate 7,. figure 13 

In the original account of the "Vilcox flora 49 Poacites sp. and Oyperites sp. were listed as indefinite 

~onocot!ledonous foliage because they were already 

m the lIterature, although no attention was paid to 

similar remains of gl;ass or sedge foliage which are 

present in the Wilcox at many outcrops. They are all 

too indefinite for either generic or specific characteriz~tion and are without either biologic or geologic signIficance beyond demonstrating the presence of' this 

type of plants, which conclusion might have been considered established a priori. 

Some of the older as well as modern authors list a 

long array of species of grass and sedge which are of 

little or no value. In the present work I have illustI'ated a specimen to show the abundance of this class 

of remains in the Wilcox at some localities. Although 

sligh.tly nar~'ower it may be referred to Poacites sp. 

HollIck, whIch was based upon material from the 

later Wilcox of Louisiana. 

Occurr~nce: Holly Springs sand, gully 1 mile west 

of LaconIa, Fayette County, Tenn. 

40 BC1'l'Y, E. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 174, 1916. 

Order CYPERALES 

Family CYPERACEAE 

Genu~ CYPERACITES Schimper 

Cyperacites wilcoxen sis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 35, figure 7 

I have never endeavored to differentiate or describe 

the numerous traces of grass and sedgelike foliage 

that are common at various horizons in the '\Tilcox. 

Among the numerous remains of fruits and seeds present in the loosely consolidated lignite from Chester 

County, Tenn., there are two varieties of fruits that 

almost certainly represent lower Eocene species of 

sedges and are therefore worthy of formal description. 

The first and more certainly identified of the two is 

represented by two specimens. 

The achene is compressed, ovate-acuminate in profile, distinctly and stoutly pedunCUlate. It is widest 

proximad and tapers upward to a pronounced and 

slightly curved beak. Length about 3.5 millimeters. 

Maximum width about 2 millimeters. Except for the 

lack of bristles, which might b~ expected to become 

lost during fossilization and which nre indeed absent 

in many Pleistocene forms referred to Scirp1.ts, these 

lower Eocene achenes are very similar to those of 

that genus. I know of no other existing group other 

than the Cyperaceae whose fruits would be at all 

likely to be confused with those of sedges, and although it is impossible to conclude that the fossil rep-

~'esents Scirpus rather than some other existing genus, 

Its reference to the family under the form O'enus 

Oype1''Mites .appears to be warranted. b 

Th? m,odern specie~ of Scirpus are widely distributed In ponds and both fresh and brackish marshes. 

Occurrence: Holly springs sand, Silerton road, Taylor ,farm, Chester County, Tenn., 

Cyperacites minutus Berry, n. sp. 

PIa te 35, 'figure 6 

Ovate acuminate, small, compressed achenes ( ~ ) 1 

unstalked and unarmed, widest proximad, recurvecl 

slightly distad. About 2 millimeters in lenO'th and b 

1.25 millimeters in maximum width. 

This species is much less clear in its botanical affinity than the associated OYPe'l'acites wilcowensi.cs Berry. 

It ·appears to be strictly comparable with various 

existing sedges with small beaked biconvex achenes 

su~h as certain species of Scirpus and OyPerw3, but it 

mIght, on the other hand, represent the seed of some 

higher plant. Two specimens have been collected, and 

as the deposit is' palustrine and the form is that of 

numerous sedges, it is not unlikely that such i~ its 

relationship. 
54 THE LO'WER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

Order P ANDAN ALES 

Family SPARGANIACEAE 

Genus SPARGANIUM Linne 

Sparganium? sp. 

Plate 8, figure 1 

The single specimen upon which this determination 

rests is shown in the accompanying illustration. The 

details are ,not well preserved, and therefore possibly 

it has been misinterpreted. The specimen shows a 

stout stalk or branch slightly over a centimeter in 

length, which gives off a more slender branch about 

halfway . above its base. Both are terminated by 

capitate clusters of what appear to be pistillate flowers. These are now partly crushed, but the whole 

was probably globular in life and from 5 to 6 millimeters in dialneter. 

This form bears a very great similarity to the pistillate flower heads of the recent species of Spar'-

ganiw7n, although there are members of the families 

Pontederiaceae and Alismaceae that are not conspicuously different in appearance. The genus SpW"g'ani1J/l11J 

has about a dozen existing species, widely distributed 

for the most part in temperate and cool regions, in wet 

or even submerged environments. Fossil remains are 

fairly numerous, ~omprising, in addition to the recent 

species, which have been found fossil in the Pleistocene, . about 15 species ranging from the Upper Cretaceous through the Pliocene. Several of these species, 

notably those recorded' from the Upper Cretaceops, 

are not especially convincing, but there is an unmistakable species in the middle Eocene of the western 

United States,50 and undoubted species occur in the 

Oligocene and later Tertiary of, Europe. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Order N AIADALES 

Family N AIADACEAE 

Genus POTAMOGETON Linne 

Potamogeton incertus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 29, figure 5 

Leaf small, orbicular in general outline, broadly 

rounded distad, somewhat decurrent proxImad to the 

broad sessile line of attachment. Margins full and 

evenly rounded. Texture thin and lax. Length about 

3.25 centimeters; maximum width, midway' between 

the apex and the base, about 2.3 centimeters. Midvein 

thin. Balance of the lamina with very fine closely 

spaced longitudinal parallel veins. 

I/) Berry, E. W., Bot. Gazette, yol. 78, p. 346, figs. 1-7, 1924. 

This single specimen by its thin ffieInbranous texture and delicate venation is obviously the submerged 

leaf of some aquatic plant. Some modern Pontederiaceae, Hydrocharitaceae, and N aiadaceae have submerged leaves more or less similar to the fossil, and 

probably it represents such a leaf of Potannogeton, 

which genus is represented by very decisive material 

in the Upper Cretaceous of this same area. 

The genus PO'tan1J.ogeton has a large number of fossil 

species and many widely distributed existing species 

ill ponds and streams. It has not heretofore been recognized in the Wilcox flora, although, as previously 

stated, it occurs in the Ripley flora of west Tennessee 

and there are two species in the upper Eocene (Jackson) flora of this region. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 2~ miles north of 

Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Potamogeton gliicki Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figures 13, 14 

Le.af small, lanceolate, widest medianly, about 

equally tapering and acute at the apex and base, the 

latter decurring to a short, broad petiole. Margins 

entire. Texture delicate. Length about 2.25 centimeters; maximum width about 5 millimeters. Thl3 

primary venation comprises a slender mid vein and 

two slender acrodrome primaries on either side, about 

equidistantly spaced and descending into the base. 

Thin, closely spaced transverse veinlets connect the 

primaries. The species is named in honor of Pro-

. fessor Gluck, of Heidelberg, the' well-known student 

of recent aquatic plants. 

This species, which is unfortunately ba'sed upon the 

single specimen figured, obviously represents the submerged leaf of some species of P otaJInogeton an dO is 

much more certainly identified than the Wilcox form 

which I ha~e called PotGllnogeton inaertus. It is .very 

similar to the submerged leaves of a number of exist.-

iljg species of Potanwgeton as, for example, the widespread PO'tGllnogeton heterophyllus Schreber. Obviously a single leaf fails to reveal the limits of variat.ion in this Wilcox species and makes comparisons 

with existing species rather futile. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, cut on the Gulf 

Mobile & Northern Railroad~ one-fourth mile south 

of Mandy, Madison County, Tenn. 

Potamogeton? fructus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 49, figures 11-15 

The material washed from the lignite at the Taylor 

place contains six specimens of a fruit which I havo 

referred with some hesitation to the genus PotGllnogeton. It seems clearly to belong to the family Naiadaceae, but whether it represents Potanwgeton, the leaves 

of which occur in the 'Vilcox, or whether it is closer 
ARECALES 55 

to the genus Ruppia" or represents an extinct genus 

of this family can not be satisfactorily determined. 

These fruits are much compressed, a natural bifacialism being much accentuated by pressure during 

or subsequent to burial. They are eccentrically ovate, 

rounded proximad, abruptly narrowed distad to fornl 

a recurved styliferous beak. In the two smallest speciInens there is a peduncle not over 0.5 millimeter in 

length. The surface is smooth, except that in both 

small and large specimens there are patches of material that are interpreted as residual parts of· a thin 

and partly destroyed pericarp. Dimensions range from 

4- to 7 millimeters in length, of which about one-fourth 

is beak, and from 2.75 to 4.25 millimeters in maximmll 

width. The supposed seed is coriaceous and smooth. 

The exact position of these fruits is uncertain. I 

have seen no recent Pota'lnogeton fruits that are closely 

similar. In some respects the fossils suggest the allied 

genus R~bppi(1), but the latter forms are considerably 

smaller and long pedicellate. It is possible that these 

lower Eocene forms represent a proto-Ruppia in the 

process of adaptation to the specialized habit of the 

modern species of RUPP'ia, but such a possibility is 0 f 

course pure speculation. Clement Reid has already 

recognized an extinct genus of this family in the English Eocene which he calls Li'lnnoca1'pus-a type, however, readily distinguishable from this 'Vilcox form. 

Occurrence: lIolly Springs sand, Taylor farm, on 

Silerton road, Chester County, Tenn. 

Family ARACEAE 

Genus ACORUS Linne 

Acorus heeri Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 8, figure 7 

Scape slender, slightly over 1 millimeter in width; 

apparently angled, but this feature is somewhat problematic. Inflorescence distinctly pedunculate, about 

1.4 centinleters in length and 3 millimeters in maximum diameter, bluntly rounded distad and somewhat 

tapering proximad. The specimen is unfortunately 

broken away about 2 millimeters above the attachment 

of the spadix, so that it can not be determined whether 

the spathe was a narrow contitiumtion of th~ scape and 

not obviously differentiated, as in the existing species 

of AC01"US, or whether it expanded, as in most modern 

Araceae. Scape preserved for a distance of 2.2 centimeters. . 

This unique specimen obviously represents some 

member of the family Araceae, and on the whole it 

appears to agree rather closely with the genus Acoru'S. 

It is most unfortunate that the distal part, which 

would definitely settle this question, is broken away. 

I was at first disposed to compare. the fossil with the 

modern genus Spathiphyllwr/; Schott, which appears 

to be represented in the Sparnacian of France by 

Araceaeites pa'l'i8iensis Fritel 51 and in the Wilcox by 

Araceaeites f'riteli Berry,52 both of which are more 

robust forms than the present species. The resemblance to Aco~1A8 is closer, however. 

Only two existing species of Acorus are InlOwn. 

They ate small plants of swamps and wet stream 

banks, one confined to Japan and the other, the familiar Acarus calamJUS Linne, a widespread hoI arctic 

form, found also in the warmer parts of eastern Asia, 

the East Indies, and Atlantic North America. Its 

wide distribution would telld to indicate that it was a 

type of considerable antiquity. The fossil records of 

the genus are very incomplete and unsatisfactory and 

comprise a late Eocene or Oligocene form from Svalbard (Spitsbergen) described by Heer, rather doubtful 

records fronl the Eocene Denver formation of Colorado 

and Hanna formation of Wyoming, the early Oligocene 

AcO'l'opsis m,inor Conwenz of the Baltic amber, and a 

later Oligocene species in Italy. I 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, road west of La 

Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Order ARECALES 

Family ARECACEAE 

Genus PALMOCARPON Lesquereux 

Palmocarpon cf. P. sessile Barry 

Palmocarpon sessile Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 92, 

p. 152, pi. 61, fig. 5, 1924. 

Two specimens from beds near the top of the Holly 

Springs sand at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn., show 

no appreciable differences in size or habit from the 

type of this species, which came from the Fayette 

sandstone of central Texas and is Jackson in age. 

The nuts in the Wilcox material are slightly more 

crowded, and it is improbable that the two occurrences represent the same botanical species, for several 

genera of existing palms havie this same fruiting 

habit. The Fayette material was compared with the 

genus Geono'J1W;, which appears to be represented in 

the Ripley formation, the latest Upper Cretaceous 

formation in Tennessee, and in the Mount Selman formation, the earliest formation of the Claiborne group 

in Texas, by forms referred' to Geonomites. This 

foliar type has not yet been discovered in the Wilcox, 

however. Another significant modern type with 

fruits like these is the genus T hrin am , represented by 

foliage in the Claiborne and Jackson. The species 

from the Bahamas and the Florida Keys, T. keyensi.~ 

Sargent and T. '1?1,iCrOCa1'pa Sargent, both have similar 

fruits quite as small and commonly smaller than the 

61 Fritel, P. H., Soc. Gt'lol. France Mem. 40, p. 29, pI. 3, fig. 1, 1910. 

52 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 175, pI. 114, 

figs. 3, 4, 1916. 

PROPERTY OF ~.BUREAU OF MINES 
56 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

fossil. They are also much like the existing Ohamaedorea; elegO!n8 and Oha1naedovrea sohiedeana, which 

belong to a genus represented by foliage in the Wilcox. 

Palmocarpon syagrusioides Berry, n. sp. 

PIa te 8, figures 5, 6 

Small, essentially symmetrical, fusiform 0'1' turbinate, monospermic fruits with a fibrous exocarp, somewhat rounded proximad and extended and acutely 

pointed distad, about 2.5 centimeters in length and 

about 1 centimeter in diameter. 

These fruits appear to be of some species of palm 

and are much like diminutive fruits of Nipadites but 

are more pointed. 

Among previously described fossil forms they are 

very close to O(JJ)"politMS provincialis Saporta 53 from 

the lignites of Fuveau (Aturian) in southern France. 

Among recent forms they are much like the fruits 

of the tropical. American palms referred by .Martius 

to the genus Syagrus, now usually considered a sub-

·genus of Oooos Linne. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs ~and, Bolivar-Jackson 

road just north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, 

Tenn. 

Genus NIPADITES Bowerbank 

Nipadites sp. 

Plate 50, figures 11-13 

The specimen figured was collected many years 

~go by J. M. Safford when State geologist of Tennessee. No record of the horizon or locality is available. 

The specimen was preserved in the collections of Vanderbilt University, and I am indebted to Prof. L. C. 

Glenn, of that institution, for presenting it to the 

United States National Museum. 

The specimen is a ferruginous replacement, presumably limonite, and is 6.5 centimeters in length and 

about 4.3 centimeters in maximum diameter. It- is approximately circular it.. cross section but shows five 

equatorial planes of external compression, so that it 

is faintly pentagonal. The boundaries of these planes 

become pronounced ridges distad and are especially 

prominent toward the somewhat truncated, rounded' 

apex. The actual tip of the fruit is a somewhat projecting rounded umbilicus. The whole fruit is somewhat unsymmetrical, as shown in the lateral view. 

The base is truncate and slightly excavated and shows 

a thick rounded peduncular scar, about 5 millimeters 

. in diameter. The surface is longitudinally and irregu~ 

larly ribbed. 

A polished median transverse section fails to show 

structural details. No cell outlines can be made out, 

63 Saporta, Gaston de, Etudes sur la vegetation du sud-est de Ia 

France it l'epoqne tertiaire, vol. 1, p. 47, pI. 1, fig. 6, 1863. 

and it appears that the specimen shows the external 

form with great fidelity but was built up fr0111 without inward by laminar layers of limonite. If it presents a true pattern of internal arrangement it indicates a moderately thick wall, averaging about 6 millimeters in thickness, and a single-seeded central cavity 

between 2.5 and 3 centimeters in diameter. The limonite of this central region is vesicular and labyrinthine and might be assumed to represent a replacelnent ot a shriveled and nlore or less rotted seed. On 

the other luind these features may be illusory and' 

purely fortuitous. 

The question of the identity and horizon is one 

which can not be definitely settled. Externally the 

specimen agrees closely with specimens of Nipaaites, 

and with the nuts of the existing Nip(J), except that the 

latter are usually more compressed, but this is an exceedingly variable feature. I feel reasonably sure that 

it represents Nipadites, but hesitate to give it a specific 

name, although there is little reason to doubt but 

that it represents the same species that I have called 

Nipadites bur-tini U17~bonatU8 Bowerbank. 54 Bowerbank and others set up many species based upon size 

and form, but. most students of the European Eocene 

specimens conclude that this is unwarranted in view 

of the great variation in the modern species due to 

the position of the nuts in the head, their degree 

of development or abortion, and their mutual compression. 55 

If my identification is correct, the chances are 

strongly in favor of Saffor¢[ having obtained this specimen from. the Grenada formation of west Tennessee, 

possibly in Fayette County, for this is the one place 

where preserved collections show that he did considerable field work. Moreover, the Grenada is rather cha.ra.cterized by ferruginized plant remains, and similarly 

preserved fruits have been found at this horizon in 

adjoining States. > , 

By approaching the question from the angle of 

eliminating horizons from which the specimen could 

not have come, it is possible to discard all ~he Upper 

Cretaceous and Tertiary horizons except the Grenada 

formation of the ""Vilcox group and the Jackson; the 

latter in some places in Obion County and adjacent 

parts of western J\:entucky contains ferruginized 

fruits. 

The question of tile relationship of Nipadites to the 

existing monotypic genus Nipa has never been conclusively settled, although a close filiation has beel} 

commonly assumed to be indicated by the resemblances 

between the two and the comparable habitat indicat.ed 

M Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 176, pI. 112, 

figs. 13, 14, 1916. 

56 Seward, .A. C., and .Arber, E. A. N., Mus. roy. bist. nat. Belgique 

Mem., vol. 2, 1903. 
LILIALES 57 

by the fossils. Quite recently Chandler 56 has redescribed fragmentary specimens of pimlate palm leaves 

frOl11 the upper Eocene of Hordle, England. These 

specimens she finds agree in every detail with those 

of the existing Nipa and differ in various details from 

all other existing palm leaves examined. She consequently refers the English specimen directly to Nipa, 

and for this there is abundant precedent in the backward extension to the Eocene of many existing genera 

of angiosperms. 

Genus SABALITES Saporta 

Sabalites grayanus (Lesquereux) Berry 

Saba,l Ul'Ctvana Lesquel'ellX, Am. Phil os. Soc. Trans., vol. 13, p. 

412, pI. 14, figs. 4-6, 1869 (not Lesquereux, 1871, 1874, 

1876, 1878, 01' Knowlton, 1900). 

Berry, U. S. Geo1. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p .. 177, pI. 2, 

figs. 1-3; pI. 14, fig. 1, 1916; U. S. Geo1. Survey Prof. 

Paper 125, p.4, pI. 1; pI. 3, fig. 5, 1919. 

Knowltoll, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 101, p. 288, 

1918. 

li'lc£bollm'ia" eocenica Lesquel'eux, The Tertiary flora, p. 111, pI. 

13, flgs. 1-3, 1878. 

As has often been remarked, there are almost insuperable difficulties in determining the isolated foliage 

of palms, either feather or fan palms, especially when, 

as usual, they are fragmentary. Some genera have 

quite cha.racteristic leaves, but the majority do not. 

'rhis early described species has been recorded from 

various western localities where its presence may be 

considered as extremely unlikely, and of late years it 

has been customary to give different names to somewhat similar leaves from different regions and horizons. Thus I have described nominal species of 

Sabalites in the Gulf embayment region from the 

Ripley, Claiborne, Catahoula, Alum Bluff, and Hatti esburg formations. 

Similar forms from the western United States are 

usually referred directly to the genus Sabal, although 

it is by no means certain that they are congeneric with 

the recent species of this gentls. Supposed species of 

Babal have been recorded from the Laramie, Vermejo, 

Fruitland, Montana, Denver, Lance, Animas, Fort 

Union, Raton, Green River, and Bridger formations. 

Sabalites g1YJ/!/flff//US is exceedingly common in .the 

'iVilcox and has been recorded from '40 localities along 

both the eastern and western shores of the Gulf embayment of 'iVilcox time. Good specimens are not common and are hard to quarry, but the frayed and tangled rays are widely distributed. Many large and 

perfect leaves were present in the exposure in the 

ravine at Oxford, Miss., and at a few other outcrops. 

This species is probably related to our existing Sabal 

pal'lnetto and like that species was essentially a coastal 

DO Chanellcr, M. E. J., The uppcr Eoccne BOl'n of Hordle, Bants, pt. 1 ; 

l'nlncollt: Soc., vol. 77 (Iilsucd for 1923), p. 15, pl. 2, figs. 1, 2, 1925. 

form. A restoration, based largely on this modern 

species, is shown in Figure 9. 

One can readily visualize these old Wilcox coasts 

and almost hear the rustling of the stiff leaves of the 

fan palms in the diurnal land and sea breezes and picture the masses of frayed rays, dicotyledonous leaves, 

and other vegetable debris that covered the face of the 

"Taters after storms. 

Occurrence: See table of distribution: 

Order LILIALES 

Family SMILACACEAE 

Genus SMILAX Linne 

Smilax wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 10, figure 3 

Leaves oblong ovate, widest in the lower half, inequilateral throughout, especially at the acuminate tip. 

Base slightly sagittate, broadly rounded, probably 

slightly cordate. Margins undulate. Leaf substance 

very thin but app'arently stiff. Midrib stout, slightly 

flexuous. Lateral primaries thin, somewhat flexuous, 

strictly aerodrome; the main pair diverge from the 

midrib at or near its base at wide angles and pursue 

their course one-third of the distance inside the margins, with which they are subparallel; the outer pair 

are thinner and close to the margins; certain of the 

cross veins between the midrib and the main lateral 

primaries are slightly more prominent than others, but 

they scarcely merit the term "secondaries·" and are 

merely the slightly enlarged members of the wellmarked open inosculating mesh characteristically 

shown in the illustration. 

This species adds a striking new element to the 

Wilcox flora. Its resemblances to modern forms are 

shared by the families Smilacaceae and Dioscoreaceae, 

and a decision is difficult. I have referred it to the 

former because the leaves in the latter are usually 

more regular, with more n~merous primaries and wellmarked secondaries; the areolation is nearly alike in 

both. 

The genus Srnilam is the principal genus and comprises most of the family Smilacaceae, which is some-

"times made a subfamily of the Liliaceae, as by Engler. 

It consists of herbaceous or woody climbers with alternate lea ves. There are about 200 existing species, 

chiefly in the American and Asiatic Tropics but extending well into the Temperate Zone in North America, eastern Asia, and the Mediterranean region. There 

are 17 existing species in the United States, and several of these range northward as far as southern· 

Canada. 

The known fossil species of Smilam number about 60, 

most of them conclusively determined. They appear 

in the early Upper Cretaceous in New Jersey and 
58 THE LOWEI~ EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

li'lGURE 9.-Restol'ation of fan· palm to show appearance of Saba Utes gl'ayanu8 (Lesquereux) Beny 

Kansas and slightly later in Poland; During the 

Eocene they' are recorded from the early Eocene of 

Wyoming' and France and from tpe later Eocene or 

Greenland, Sakhalin Island, and the Mackenzie River 

country. The Oligocene has yielded a dozen species 

in Germany, Tyrol, France, and Italy and includes 

flowers in the Baltic amber. The Miocene species 

number ov,er 30, found chiefly in central and southern 

Europe but present in the Rocky Mountain region and 

on the northern Pacific coast in this country. 

The Pliocene species are few i.n number and are 

known from only France and Italy, and there are 

Pleistocene species in Tuscany and on the Lipari 

Islands. 

Occurrence': Holly Springs sand, roadside ht La 

Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Class DICOTYLEDONAE 

Superorder CF.:ORIPETALAE 

Order JUGLANDALES 

Family JUGLANDACEAE 

Genus JUGLANS Linne 

Juglans occidentalis Newberry 

Plate 9, figure 4 

Jttgl(L1'/;s occidentalis Newberry, U. S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 5, 

p. 507, 1882 (1883); u. S. Geoi. Survey Mon. 35, p. 34, ' 

pI. 65, fig. 1 ; pI. 66,' figs. 2-4 (not pI. 66, fig. 1), 1898. 

Knowlton, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 158, 

1923. 
JUGLANDALES 59 

Juglans sohhnl1cri Lesquel'eux, 'l'he Tertiary flora, pI. 56, figs. 

7, 8, 10 (not figs. 5, 6, 9), 1878. 

Hollick, Louisjana Geol. Survey Special Rept. 5, p. 280, 

pI. 33, fig. 1; pl. 25, fig. 3 (not pl. 32, fig. 5?; pI. 33, fig. 

2), 1899. 

Borry, U. S. Geo1. SUl'vey Prof. Paper 91, p. 182, pI. 18, 

figs. 3, 5 (not fig. 4), 1916. 

Kllowlton, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 101, pI. 64, fig. 

1, 1918. 

I(nowlton 67 in his recent revision of the flora of the 

Green River formation with the type material of 

Newberry and Lesquereux in front of him has made 

the distinctions set forth in the synonynlY of this 

species ancl that of Jwglam schi1npe'ri Lesquereux. 

There can be no doubt of the distinctions pointed ont 

'by I(now lton. 

Both were originally from the same locality and 

horizon and both are associated in the 'Vilcox, so 

that, as I(nowlton states, one is led to suspect that 

both represent the leaflets of a single botanical species of the Eocene, the one perhaps representing terminal, the other lateral leaflets. It nlight be added 

that the natural variations in leaves inight account 

for the observed differences. 

As ,at present understood the leaflets of Juglans 

ootJidentaJlris are wider, less acuminate, with less ascending secondaries, and with an inequilateral base. 

The Wilcox leaflet figured in the present paper is 

large, acuminate, and very inequilateral, especially at 

the base. It is very similar to the form from the 

Wilcox of Louisiana that I figured in 1916,58 but 

larger, wider, and 1nore -equilateral. The venation 

shows it to represent the same species. I am strongly 

of the opinion that these two supposed species represent ,a single botanic species but keep them distinct 

pending the definite settlement of the question. Juglans occidentalis came originally from the Green. 

River formation, which is younger than the 'Vilcox, 

but it is also reportea from the Raton formation, 

which is older than the vVilcox. 

Occurrence: 'Vilcox formation, COllshatta and N aborton, La.; Bolivar Creek, Ark. Grenada formation, of Wilcox group, Grenada, Miss.; Brinkley property, Fayette Corners, Fayette County, Tenn.; 4%, 

miles southwest of Williston, Fay~tte County, Tenn.; 

5 miles southwest of Williston (float) , Fayette 

County, Tenn. Holly Springs sand of Wilcox group, 

Puryear, Irenry County, .Tenn. The specimen figured 

is from the Holly Springs sand on the qld J\1:urrill 

property, about 2 miles southeast of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

87 Knowlton, J!". H., U. S. Geo). Survey Prof. Pnper 131, p. 158, 1923. 

M Berry, E. W., U. S. GCQJ. SUl'vey Prof. Paper 91, pI. 18, fig. 5, 1916. 

Juglans schimperi Lesquereux 

Jttgla1~8 sc1l,im~pe1'j, Lesquereux, U. S. Geol. and Geog. Survey 

Terr. Ann. Rept. for 1871, Suppl., p. 8, 1872; The Tertiary flora, p. 87, pI. 56, figs. 5, 6, 9 (not figs. 7, 8, 10), 

1878. 

Hollick, Louisiana Geol. Survey S'pecial Rept. 5, p. 280, 

pI. 32, fig. 5 ( ?) ; pI. 33, fig. 2 (not pI. 30, fig. 1; pI. 35. 

fig. 3), 1899. 

Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 182, pI. 18, 

fig. 4; pI. 19, fig. 4 (not pI. 18, figs. 3, 5), 1916. 

Knowlton, U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 159, 

1923; U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 134, p. 80, pI. 7, 

fig. 1, 1924. . 

As explained in the discussion of the preceding 

species, this species is associated with that one at the 

type locality and at several localities in the Wilcox 

group. In general Juglans schi1nperi has narrower, 

more elongated, and more equilateral leaflets, with 

slightly more ascending secondaries. The details of 

venation are identical in the two species, and the more 

ascending secondaries would naturally result from 

the narrower leaflets if both belonged to the same 

species, which I regard as highly probable but as yet 

unproved. 

Jwglams sohimperi, as here delimited, came originally' from the Green River formation of vVyoming. 

It has been recorded from the Denver and Animas 

formations of Colorado, from the upper part of the 

Clarno formation of Oregon, and from the upper 

Eocene beds on Bridge Creek, Wheeler County, Oreg. 

It occurs at the following 'Vilcox localities: 

Occurrence: 'Vilcox formation, Coushatta, La. ; 

Grenada formation, of Wilcox group, 1 mile south of 

Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn.; Holly Springs 

sand, of Wilcox group, Puryear, Henry County, 

Tenn.; 514 miles south' of )Vhiteville, Hardeman 

County, Tenn.; a quarter of a mile' northwest of 

Smyrna Church, 314 miles northeast of Somerville, 

Fayette County, Tenn.; three-quarters of a mile. 

northwest of Pattersonville, road west of La Grange, 

Fayette County, Tenn.; and 'Vickliffe, Ky. 

Genus HICORIA Rafinesque 

Hicoria crescentia Knowlton 

Plate 34, figures 1-5 

H'icoria CJl'escentia Know~ton, U. S. Geol. Survey 1\1on. 32, pt. 2, 

p. 690, pI. 84, fig. 7, 1899. 

This species, which was described by Knowlton 

from rocks of Fort Union age in the Yellowstone 

National Park, was based on the single. specimen figured, which lacked both apex and base. What appears 

to be this same' species is abundantly represented in 

the upper vVilcox, from which over fifty specimens 

ha ve been collected. These specimens show considerable variability, bt;t some are identical with the type 
60 . / 

THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

of this species. Specimens have been submitted to 

I(nowlton, who agrees with me that these Wilcox 

specimens probably represent the same species as the 

western form. 

In view of the incompleteness of the western material adequate comparisons are impossible and there 

may be some question as to absolute identity. However, as the horizon is about the same, and as the type 

is really insufficient in itself, little harm can result in 

the course followed. As represented in the Wilcox, 

where several specimens show attached terminal and 

lateral leaflets, the diagnosis may be considerably 

amplified. 

Leaves of variable size, odd pinnate in habit. 

Rachis stout. Leaflets variable in size and form. 

Apex acuminate, either short or produced. Base narrowly to broadly cuneate, nearly or quite equilateral 

in the terminal leaflet, more or less inequilateral in 

the lateral leaflets. Texture subcoriaceous. Margins 

with mostly small serrate teeth, some of which vary 

toward crenate. The teeth are somewhat feebly developed and spaced in the tip, becoming closely spaced in 

the median region and becoming obsolete a short distance above the base. The leaflets are all petiolulate, 

the petiolules being from 5 to 12 millimeters in length. 

In outline they vary from ovate 'lanceolate to eIlipticallanceolate. In size they range from 5 to 15 centimeters in length by 1.2 to 6 centimeters in maximum 

width. The mid veins are stout and prominent. The 

secondaries are stout and camptodrome, varying 

somewhat in spacing and in angle of divergence with 

the relative proportions of the leaflets, in general at 

wide angles and rather straight in their· courses until 

they reach the marginal region. In no specimen have 

they been observed to be 0 craspedodrome, although 

some seem to· be in the type. The latter arrangement 

is not the usual one in H iooria, and the tertiary 

branches entering the teeth have probably been mistaken for the secondary endings, which are really 

camptodrome. Tertiaries mostly percurrent, frequently inOSCUlating midway between the secondaries. 

According to Know lton, H icoria crescentia is related to Hicoria antiquO'l'Um (Newberry) Knowlton, a 

Lance and Fort Union form, which has been recorded 

, from the upper Wilcox in Louisiana. It is quite possible that the two names represent a single botanical 

species, in which case Newberry's name has priority. 

I have seen no good material from the Wilcox that 

could be referred to HiooVf"'iaJ antiquor'Um, unless the 

abundant remains here referred to Hicoria C1'escentia 

l'epresent the former species. There is also considerable resemblance to Juglans nigella Heel', an Alaskan 

Kenai species, which has been recorded from the 

Raton, Paskapoo, and Fort Union formations in western North America. In the absence of fruiting materialit is generally impossible to differentiate between 

Hic01'ia and Juglans. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, 3~ miles northeast of Somerville; north of Loosahatchie River on 

road to Yum Yum (very common); 1.2 miles southwest of Somerville; 2.9 miles southwest of Somerville; 

5 miles southwest of 'Villiston; all in Fayette County, 

·'J'enn. 

Genus PARAENGELHARDTIA Berry 

Paraengelhardtia eocenica Berry 

Plate 46, figures 11, 12 

Paraengelhardtia eocenica Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey P~·of. 

Paper 91, p. 186, pI. 17, figs. 2-5, 1916. 

This primitive member of the Juglandaceae, which 

is believed to represent an intermediate stage ancestral. to the prominently winged fruits of the genera 

Engelhardtia and Oreom~nnea, has been found in considerable abundance. The fine specimen shown in 

Plate 46, Figure 11, brings out the characteristic venation much more clearly than any specimens previously figured. The somewhat distorted specimen 

shown in Plate 46, Figure 12, shows a crushed nut, 

:which, in its present condition, is 1.75 centimeters in 

diameter. 

I -can see no reason for doubting the botanical relationship of this form. It is confined to the eastern 

shore of the Wilcox Gulf embayment. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Whiteville (~) , 

Hardeman County, Tenn.; Will Brooks farm, 2.1 

miles northwest of Mercer, Madison County, Tenn.; 

Grable pit and Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry County, 

Tenn. 

Genus ENGELHARDTIA Leschen 

Engelhardtia puryearensis Berry 

Engelhwrdtia tyUryearensis Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

o Paper 91; p. 185; pI. 17, figs. 6, 7, 1916. 

The winged fruits of this species have been found at 

other than the type locality and have been utilized in 

making a restoration of the probable habit of this 

Eocene species. 

The restoration shown in Figure 10 is a combination 

of the trial ate fruits of the foregoing species with the 

leaflets associated with it and described as Engelhardtia ettinqsl-uJJitseni Berry. A somewhat different 

species of Engelharrdtia fruit with which these leaflets 

are also associated is E. 0 mississippiemsis Berry. 

"Vhether all three represent a single variable botanical 

species, or whether, if two species are represented, 

which one is to be associated with the leaflets, can not 

be determined. This does not affect the restoration 

essentially, for the two sorts of fruits are not particularly dissimilar. 
JUGLANDALES (it. 

[,'IGURE lO.-Restoration of EngeZllardtia 

This interesting genus is confined to the oriental 

rcgion, except for a single Central American species 

quite generally made the type of a separate genusO'}'eo'l1t'l.lIJtnea. The two are not greatly difierent, but 

O'}'efYl7w(nnea has fewer and larger and coarser fruits 

of the same general type. In making the restoration 

tJle existing species of both Engelh{1ff'dtia and OreO'-

munnea have been studied, and the fruit spike has 

been .made shorter than in Engel1~(JfJ"dti(J) and with the 

number of fruits intermediate between it and Oreo-

'lnunnea. The leaves have been depicted as_ even pinnate, as is the rule in these forms, although the 

prevailing habit in the J uglandaceae is for them to be 

odd pinnate. The number of leaflets has been arbi63757-30--5 

trarily made six. It varies in the recent forms, but is 

usually 6 to 8 in o '}'eomunnea. 

Whether these American Eocene forms are closer to 

the surviving Central American species or to the surviving species of southcastern Asia is sonlewhat uncertain, although one would expect the former alternative to be the most likely. The fact that the fossil 

leaflets are entire (some of the existing Engelhardtias 

ha ve toothed leaflets) and that the fruits are larger 

and more robust than those of the existing Engelhardtias rather points to. the correctness of this supposition. . . 

Another point which can not be settled is. the exact 

relationship between these forms and the genus P(l'l'a-
62 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

engelhardtia Berry. That genus is now represented 

by numerous fine specimens from the Wilcox Eocene 

and is, with its large spherical nut and broad, incipiently lobed and reticulated bract, clearly related to 

Engelhardtia and O,/'e01nunnea. The less degree of 

lobation has suggested that Paraengelharrdtia is the 

more primitive, but this may not have been the case. 

Order MYRICALES 

Family MYRICACEAE 

Genus MYRICA Linne 

Myrica puryearensis Berry, n. sp. 

PIa te 48, figures 36-38 

Leaves of small to medium size, lanceolate, some of 

them in equilateral proximad, although the majority 

of the specimens are symmetrical. Widest at or below 

the middle. Some specimens taper equally in both 

directions, but the majority are somewhat more narrowly extended distad than proximad. Apex acute. 

Base narrowly to broadly cuneate. Texture subcoriaceous. Margins entire for a greater or less distance 

above the base, in some specimens to the middle, above 

with irregularly spaced serrate teeth, which are usually 

small but may be as much as a millimeter in length. 

Length ranging from 4.25 to 6.5 centimeters. Maximum width ranging from 1 to 2 centimeters. Petiole 

stout, about 1 centimeter in length. Midvein stout, 

prominent on the under side of the leaf. Secondaries 

stout, not especially prominent, irregularly spaced, 

diverging from the midvein at wide angles, indifferently camptodrome or craspedodrome according to 

the arrangement and· spacing of the marginal teeth. 

Tertiaries thin, a combination of transverse veins and 

those subparallel with the secondaries. Areolation of 

fine myricaform meshes. 

This species is represented by a considerable number 

of various sized specimens which differ within narrow 

limits in outline and development of the marginal 

teeth. . Some of the broader of these are exceedingly 

like the leaves of such existing species as Myrica cerifera or M. gale. 

Two other species of M yrio{J) have been recorded 

from the Wilcox-Myrica eZaJeamoidJes Lesquereux of 

the Ackerman formation and the Holly Springs sand 

a.nd Myrica wilcowensis Berry of the Grenada formation. This new species is closer to M. wilcowen8is than 

to M. elcteanoides, differing in its average la-rger size, 

broader base, longer petiole, and usually more numerous teeth. 

Occurrence: Holly Spring's sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn.; Thonlpson & Barksdale prospect, 2 

miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn .. 

Order FAGALES 

Family FAGACEAE 

Genus DRYOPHYLLUM Debey 

Dryophyllum juvenale Berry, n.· sp. 

PIa te 48, figure 18 

Leaf small, ovate, inequilateral, with inordinately 

stout midvein and secondaries and a serrate margin. 

Length about 4 centimeters. Maximum width, in the 

lower half, about 1.3 centimeters. Leaf substance 

thin. Mid vein very wide and flat, curved. Secondaries wide and flat, diverging from the midvein at 

wide angles, nearly straight and subparallel, craspedo,. 

drome. 

This form does not, in my opinion, represent a 

botanic species, but a juvenile leaf of Dryoplvyllum 

tennesseense Berry,' which is so common at this outcrop. Its juvenile character is indicated by its delicate texture, soft, wide, and immature venation, and 

form. Its rarity also points in the same direction, for 

the juvenile leaves would not ordinarily become detached or preserved, and this form is one of' the very 

few from this prolific locality which is represented by 

only a single specimen. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Order PLATANALES 

Family PLATANACEAE 

Genus PLATANUS Linne 

Platanus nobilis Newberry 

Plate 8, figure 4; Plate 10, figure 1; Plate 11, figure 7 

PlatanU8 rwbiUs Newberry, New York Lye. Nat. Hist. Annals, 

vol. 9, p. 67, 1868. 

[Lesquereux], U. S. Geol. and Geog. Survey Terr., Illus· 

trations Of Cretaceous f,!nd Tertiary plants, pI. 17; pL 

20, fig. 1, under Platanus haydenii, 1878. 

Dawson, Roy. Soc. Canada Trans., vol. 4, sec. 4, p. 24, 

pI. 1, fig. 7, 1886 [1887]. 

Ward, U. S. Geol. Survey Sixth Ann. Rept., p. 552, pI. 41, 

fig. 1, 1886; U. S. Geo1. Survey Bull. 37, p. 35, p1. 16, 

fig. 1, 1887. 

Knowlton, U. S. Geoi. Survey Bull. 204, p. 65, 1902; Wash· 

ington Acad. Sci. Proc., vol. 11, pp. 192, 195, 211, 212, 

213, 214, 1909. 

The type of the species came from the Fort Union 

formation of North Dakota, and the species is abundant and widely distributed in that formation. It is 

also not uncommon in the underlying Lance formation and has been recorded from several localities in 

the Eocene of western Canada. 

Abundant but somewhat fragmentary remains of, 

this species were discovered in west Tennessee in the 
URTIOALES 63 

summer of 1923. The species may be redescribed in 

the light of all of the material as follows: Leaves very 

large, prevalingly trilobate, although leaves with incipient additional lobes have been referred to it. Lobes 

wide and abruptly acuminate, separated by opt='I1 

sinuses that do. not extend more than halfway to the 

base. Ward records a Fort Union leaf that was 3;) 

centimeters in maximum width and 30 centimeters 

along the midrib. Some of the Wilcox specimens' 

from Tennessee indicate as large if not larger specimens. The nlargins are somewhat irregularly excavated by very shallow sinuses between the termini of 

the secondary and in places the tertiary veins, resulting in slight marginal teeth which are not at all 

produced, so that the margins might almost be called 

l'cpand; basally they are entire and slightly and irregularly undulate. The petiole is very stout and of 

unknown length. Primaries are three in number from 

the top of the petiole, diverging from one another at 

angles of about 50° to 55°, rather straight in their 

courses, and exceedingly stout, the midvein being 

stouter than the laterals; they terminate in the tips 

of the lobes, of which they form the midveins. Secondaries stout and relatively straight; rather regu· 

larly spaced and subparallel, craspedodrome. Tertiary 

venation very characteristic, distinctly platanoid, a 

combination of- percurrent and inosculating cross 

veins; the marginal ones in places run to a marginal 

point and elsewhere loop along the margin, filling a 

considerab.le area in the angles between the primaries 

w here normal secondaries are not developed; a char· 

acteristic feature of the tertiary venation is the rapid 

dimi~lution in caliber of the veins in the mid areas 

between the secondaries, which enables small fragments of these large leaves to be recognizable. 

The discovery of this specieB in western Tennessee 

adds a striking new element to the Wilcox flora and 

nnothel' like element correlating the Wilcox. with the 

Fort Union of the western United States. It also 

adds another temperate element to this flora. Etting::;-

ha usen suggested that this species was more likely an 

A,1Ytlia than a Platanus, but it seems to me to be unquestionably platanoid in all of its characters. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, big cut at Pine 

T'op, I-Iardeman County, Tenn. (common); Murrell 

place,2 miles southeast of Bolivar, Hardeman County: 

Tenn. ; 5:t.4 lniles south of Whiteville, Hardeman 

County, Tenn.; 43,,{t miles southwest of Williston (?), 

Fayette County, Tenn.; and gully 1 mile west of 

Laconia, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Order URTICALES 

Family MORACEAE 

Genus ARTOCARPUS Forster 

Artocarpus pungens (Lesquereux) Hollick 

Plate 9, figures 1-3 

The specimens figured are more like the original 

A1'alia pungens of Lesquereux from Golden, Colo., 

than they are like the other and larger 'Vilcox leaves 

referred to this species. 

They undoubtedly represent the same botanical 

species as is shown by the identity in characters of 

the venation. 

Typical specimens have recently b2en recorded 59 

from the Animas formation of southwestern Colorado. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Silerton road 

about 4 miles northwest of Silerton, Taylor farm: ' 

Chester County, Tenn. . 

Artocarpus sp. 

At the locality west of the hospital near Bolivar 

there are two scraps with a pustulose surface that 

agree with similar surface impressions of staminate 

flmvers of Artor:a?'pus from the Upper Cretaceous of 

Greenland described by N athorst. 60 Except for their 

smaller· size they are also similar to the surface con fig. 

uration of the fruit in this genus. As Arto'CfIff'pwB 

l<~aves of several kinds are not uncommon in the Wilcox, these scraps may be referred to that genus with 

considerable probability as representing one of these 

foliar species. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of the hospital at Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Genus FICUS Linne 

Ficus tennesseensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figures 18, 19 

This form represents one of the broader, coarseleafed species of Ficus, variable in both size and out· 

line but preserving throughout the same characteristic 

features of the stout venation .. It may be described 

as follows: Leaves of varying size, ovate to ovate· 

cordate in outline, widest at or slightly below the midcUe, tapering gradually or abruptly to the acuminate 

tip. The basal margins show varying degrees of fullness, commonly slightly diffeTent in the two halves of 

the lamina, resulting in a base that may be simply 

rounded in the smaller leaves or moderately cordate in 

the larger. The margins are entire but tend to be 

somewhat irregular. The texture is coriaceous. 

59 Knowlton, F. H.,. U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 134, p. 85, pl. 12, 

1924. 

60 Nathorst, A. G., K. svenska Vet.-Akad. Handl., Band 24, No.1, 

pp. 1-10, pt 1, 1890. 
64 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Length ranging from 6.5 to 9 centilneters. Maximum 

width ranging from 3.4 to 6.5 centimeters. Petiole of 

moderate length, relatively very stout. Midvein stout 

and prominent, genera.lly curved in the slightly unsymmetric leaves. Secondaries stout and prominent, 

about 5 pairs, irregularly spaced and varying \ from 

opposite to alternate, the basal pair opposite and diverging from the top of the petiole. In the smaller 

leaf figured there are two basal secondaries on one 

side, giving the leaf an appearance like that of the 

leaflets of several species of Leguminosae, but the 

venation is otherwise identical with that of the larger 

leaves, and the tertiary venation is distinctly not leguminous in character. The secondaries diverge from 

the midvein at varying angles, ranging from acute to 

obtuse, and are camptodrome close to the margins. 

. The tertiaries are E.1"out and prominent, the internal 

ones being prevailingly slightly curved, percurrent 

but occasionally forked, especially in the larger leaves, 

the external ones being camptodrome. The areolation 

is well marked in some specimens and is distinctly 

ficoid in character. 

This well-marked species is, as far as known, confined to beds of late "\Vilcox age. The genus is unusually well represented in the' Wilcox flora, but only 

two of the previously described Wilcox species are at 

all similar to the present. These species are Ficus 

occidentalis Lesquereux 61 a.nd Ficus schi1nperi Lesquereux,62 both from the lower Wilcox. Ackerman 

formation, the former occurring also in the Denver 

formation of Colorado. Both are much less coarse 

than the present species; the forll1;er is distinctly 

broader and shorter and triveined, and the latter is a 

relatively more elongated, very much more delicate 

leaf with thin veins throughout. I do not regard 

either of these species as closely related to Ficus tennesseensis. 

In such a large genus as Ficul8 it is naturally not 

difficult to find recent species with leaves that closely 

resemble this Eocene species, but such resemblances 

can not be regarded as possessing any particular significance. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, northwest of Somerville and about 1 mile north of Somerville, north of 

Loosahatchie River, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Ficus pandurifolia Berry, n.' sp. 

Plate 21, figures 5, 6; Plate 42, figure 4 

Leaves usually small, panduriform, with a bluntly 

pointed tip and a rounded base. Slightly above the 

middle on each side there is a greater or less developed. 

indentation with an angular sinus. This sinus may 

61 Lesquereux, Leo, The Tertiary flora, p. 200, pI. 32, fig. 4, 1878. 

62 Lesquereux, Leo, Am. Philos. Soc. Trans., vol. 13, p. 417, pI. 18, 

figs. 1-3, 1869. 

extend from three-sevenths to seven-ninths of the distance inward toward the midvein. Margins otherwise 

entire but in places slightly undulate in the upper 

half. Texture subcoriaceous. Length ranging from 

4.5 to 9.5 centilneters; maximum width, in ,the lower 

half of the leaf, 2.25 to 5.6 centimeters. Petiole of 

medium length and relatively very stout, about 6 millimeters in length in the smaller leaves, as much as 1.4 

centimeters in the largest. Midvein relatively stout 

a.nd prominent on the under side of the leaf. Secondaries numerous, thin, diverging from the midvein 

at angles of about 45°, camptodrome. Tertiaries typical of Ficus. 

These somewhat variable and usually smal~ leaves 

are clearly those of a lower Eocene Ficus and are very 

distinct from previously described forms. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

Bolivar-J ackson road, just north of Clover Creek, 

Hardeman County, Tenn.; La Grange, Fayette 

County, Tenn. 

Ficus mississippiensis gigantea Berry, n. var. 

Plate 23 

A rather complete discussion of the forms considered 

by me to represent Ficus miJ8sissippiensis and its 

variants was given in 1922 G3 and need not be repeated. 

To summarize for the sake of understanding what 

by me to represent Ficus 1nississippiensis and its 

was conceived it eInbraced a series of forms frOln ovate 

lnnceolate to almost orbicular acuminate, showing 

every variation in the relation of length to width and 

the consequent lnodifications in venation, apex, and 

base. All these were considered to represent the variable foliage of a single botanical species. 

The form described in the following paragraphs is 

clearly related to this series but differs sufficiently to 

merit being described as a new variety. At least that 

is lny conclusion. Other students lnight consider 

what I have included under Ficus 1nississippiensis as 

: representing five botanical varieties, and others might 

include val'. gigantea as the extreme variant in one 

direction of a single botanical species. The actual 

,relationships are, I believe, unquestionable, and the 

only issue is one of taxonomic judgment. The pres-

'ent variety may be thus described: Leaves of large size, 

at least 23 centimeters in length by 16.5 centimeters 

in maximum width. Triangular i~ general outline, 

widest proximad, with an acute, nonextended apex, 

,and a deeply cordate base. Petiole stout, of unknown 

length. Venation coarse and prominent. Practically 

five primaries from the extreme base, the outside 

ones being practically the lower secondaries of the 

lateral primaries of what is really a triveined leaf. 

63 Berry, E. W., U. S: Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, pp. 9-12, pls. 

6-8, 1922. 
URTICALES 65 

Secondaries all stout; those from the midvein five or 

six sub opposite to alternate pairs, diverging at acute 

nng-Ies, curved ascending, subparallel, and camptodl'ome. The secondaries from the lateral primaries 

nre all on the outside, regularly spaced, subparallel, 

stout·, and camptodl'ome. Tertiaries comprise regular 

Clllllptodrorne branches from one or two of the secondaries on each side and a regular series of basally 

eli rected camptodrome branches from the basal secondary (pseudoprimary) of the lateral primaries. 

The cross veins are mostly stout and approximately 

pel'Clll'rent throughout. rfhe areolation is fine meshed 

and distinctly ficoid. 

Among the unnamed variants of Fiaus 1nissi8sipp~­

ensis the present form is Inost like the wider, as fOl 

example, that shown on Plate 8 in the publication 

ci ted. Such a form has merely to become about 50 

pel' cent larger, straighten out the upper margins until 

the apex becomes cuneate rather than rounded acute 

or acuminate, dev.elop the prominently cordate base 

find the consequent accommodation of the venation to 

these changes to result in the variety giganrf}e(J). It is 

possible that the j?iC'1.l'8 Sp.(I4 described from the Holly 

Springs sand in Mississippi may represent this variety. 

Except for its equilateral form it is very similar to the 

much slIlUller and wide-ranging European Fi(Ju8 tiliaefolia (Alexnnder Braun) Heer.(l5 There are severa. 

existing species that approach it very closely. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, 1.2 miles south of 

Southern Hailway station at Somerville; about 1 mile 

north of Somerville, north of LoosahatchiP- HiveI'; 1 

mile west of Laconia; all in Fayette County, Tenn. 

Ficus mississippiensis cordata Berry, n. yare 

PIll te 39, figure 11 

In accordance with the discussion of FiCU8 1nississip'-

l)ien>8is and its mutants as given in 1922 (16 I regard 

n series of leaves, of which one is figured, as representing the extreme of variation of this protean species. 

These leaves are much like the widest forms of that 

species previously figured but differ in the developn!ent of n deeply cordate base and corresponding with 

this the outer secondaries of the lateral primaries 

sometinles become enlarged, which results in a somewhat different appearance. The result is a leaf much 

like the Jackson species that I have described 67 as 

]:J'IJ)(3ttne-ria j()jckso11liamm. 

I arn frank to confess that if I had been the original 

describer of these mutants of Fiaus mis'sissip'piensi8' I 

0' Berry, K W., U. S. Geo]' Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 206, pI. 24, 

fig. 1, 1916. " 

on Heel', Oswald, Flora tel'Uaria Helvetiae, Band 2, p. 68, pI. 83, figs. 

3-12 ; pI. 84, figs. 1-6; pl. 85, fig. 14, 1856. 

00 Beny, Ill. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, pp. 9-12, pIs. 

6-8, 1922. 

07 Beny, Ill. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Pl·Of. Paper 92, P. 182, pIs. 56, 

07, and 58, fig. 1, 1924. 

would not refer them to the genus Ficus. It is quite 

true that various authors have referred similar forms 

to this genus, but they do not have the foliar characters of recent members of the genus, and I do not 

believe they are related to the ~lOl'aceae. In the absence of conclusive proof I prefer to leave them where 

they are. The resemblance to Buett11J.e1'ia is, I believe, 

significant, and from their association and identity of 

v.enation with what has been described as Ste1'C'1.tlia 

'U.~ilcomensis Berry I have long been of the opinion that 

the forms called Fi(}U8 1nississip'ptiensis and the large 

trilobate Sa8'saf1'as-like leaves of Sterowlia wilcomensis 

represent the same botanical species, and that this 

should be referred to the Sterculiaceae and not to the 

~1oraceae. 

As previously stated, it is undesirable to give this 

matter of opinion formal expression in the nomenclature until more definite proof is forthcoming. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Huckleberry 

schoolhouse, 2Y2 miles south of ~1cLemoresville, Carroll County, Tenn.; Jim Tomphson farm, 3~ miles 

northeast of Jackson, Madison County, Tenn. 

Ficus myrtifolia ampla Berry, n. yare 

Plate 32, figure 13 

This form has all the venation characters of Ficus 

mY1·tifolia Berry, but as it is not narrowly elongate 

elliptical and as 1nY1·tifolia is represented by many 

specimens and none of these diverge from the typ~ 

or approach the present form, it is certainly to be 

regarded as distinct. It may be described as follows: 

Leaves more or less elongate elliptical, widest 

medianly, abruptly angled or rounded distad, broadly 

incurved-cuneate and slightly decurrent at the base. 

Margins entire, full, and in places slightly undulate. 

Texture coriaceous. Petiole very stout, about 2 centimeters in length. ~1idrib straight, very stout, prominent on the underside of the leaf. Secondaries relatively (not actually) thin, numerous, closely spaced, 

subparallel; diverging from the midrib at angles of 

about 70° to 75°, rather straight, their tips connected 

by a slightly arched m~rginal vein. Tert.iary venation typical of this type of Ficus leaf. Dimensions 

range from the more elongate forms, which are 13 

centimeters long and 4.5 centimeters. in maximum 

width, to the more elliptical forms, which al;e about 

the same length and 6 centimeters in maximum width. 

The proportions of this form cause it to depart 

from the myrtifolia type and to closely resemble the 

leaves of those recent species of Fieus which are of 

the Ficus elastica type (the plants commonly cultivated under the term rubber plants). It is clearly a 

true species of F'iC1.t8 and finds its prototype in the 
66 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Southeastern States in Ficus stephensoni Berry 68 of 

the Black Creek formation (Upper Cretaceous) in 

North and South Carolina. Nothing like it is known 

from the Ripley, the latest Upper Cretaceous flora 

known from this general region. It is from a somewhat higher horizon in the Wilcox than Ficus myrtifolia. 

Occurrence: Holly .Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County~ 'renn., and Smiths Church, northwest of Pattersonvilh ... Fayette County, Tenn. 

Ficus myrtifolia oyaia Berry, n. var. 

Plate 38, figures 4, 5 

This fornl has the exact venation of the species and 

its other varieties and may simply be a mutant. It 

. differs from the type, which is consistently elongate 

and almost linear lancf'oiate, in being markedly ovate 

lanceolate. Leaves ovate lanceolate, more or less undnlate margined, with an extended acuminate tip and a 

cuneate ultimately decurrent base. Petiole and venation exactly like the type and the variety amplus. Dimensions, 12 to 16 centimeters in length by 3.25 to 4.3 

centimeters in maximum width. 

There can be little doubt of the relationship of this 

and the other forms of this species to one another 

and to antecedent and later species of Fic:us. It is 

quite possible that the forms differentiated, even 

though they show constant features, represent a single 

Lotanical species, but until this can be confirmed by 

at least finding them abundantly associated, it is best 

to. recognize the differences observed. . 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Jim Tomphson 

farm and near Mandy, Madison County, Tenn. 

Ficus myrtifolia ovata Berry, n. va.l". 

Plate 48, figure 8 

The condition of preservation JO(~S llot permit a 

positive identification of these remu ins, btl t they agree 

exceedingly well with certain existing pedicellate fig.;;, 

such as Ficus populnea Willdenow of peninsula~ 

Florida and the Antilles, and I have no doubt that 

they represent a vVilcox species of that genus, the 

leaves of which are common fossils at this outcrop and 

thronghout the Wilcox. It may be partly described 

as follows: Fruit fleshy, subglobular, slightly reni· 

form in outline as preserved in a flattened condition 

in the' clay, about 8 lnillimeters long and 10 milli· 

meters in maximum width. There are parts of two 

bracts at the base, and the whole is borne on a slender 

curved pedicle that is 1.5 centimeters long. I can not 

be certain that the true surface is preserved /in th~ 

specimens, but~ither it is or because of slacking the 

surface is minutely tuberculated. The collection con09 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 84, p. 38, pI. 12, figs. 

1-3, 1914. 

tains three good specinlens from Puryear and a rather 

obscure specimen from Moses Hall. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn.; Grenada formation, 2.9 miles southwest of Somerville, just below Moses Hall, Fayette 

County, Tenn. 

Ficus fructus rostrata Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 5 

Fruit fleshy, subglobular, produced distad into a distinct conical apex. Peduncle stout, tapering downward, about 5 millimeters in length. Length 1.6 centimeters. Maximum width 1 centimeter, as preseryed .. 

Decisi ve details of organization obscured. 

This is a larger form than the associated Fi()U.s 

fructus pedicellala and differently shaped and clearly 

represents a second species of fruit. Although its botanical position can not be proved, I am reasonably 

satisfied that it represents another Wilcox fig. It is 

perhaps not surprising that more Ficus fruits hav~ 

not been found in the Wilcox when 'their edible nature 

and the ease with which they decay is recalled to mind. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Order PROTEALES 

Family PROTEACEAE 

Genus BANKSIA Linne son 

Banksia tenuifolia Berry 

Plate 31, figure 3 

Banksia tenuifoUa Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 210, pI. 36, figs. 1-3, 1916. 

The leaves of this species are not at all uncommon. 

They vary considerably in size and in the development 

and- prominence of the marginal teeth, some of which 

are exceedingly prominent. The accompanying restoration represents foliage alone and shows the range 

of variation in marginal toothing. Except for the arrangement of the leaves on the branch it is based on 

actual material. The more coarsely toothed lea ves 

are not greatly different from those often referred to 

the genus My/rica and raise the old question whether 

these fossil leaves so like various genera of the existing Proteace.<~~ actually represent that family or the 

l\1yricaceae. The majority of existing species of 

Banksz'a have leaves more abruptly pointed than 

Banksia ten1tifolia, but some existing species match 

it exactly, and the areolation of the associated Banlcsia 

saffo1'di (Lesquereux) Berry is distinctly proteaceous 

and not nlyricaceous, so that the extant evidence, although not conclusive, points to the original botanical 

determination as being the most probable. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 5% miles south of 

Whiteville; Gin Creek; west of Bolivar; Mill Creek; 

214 miles north of Shandy (all in Hardeman County, 
PROTEALES 67' 

Tenn.); Grable and Atkins pits, Henry County, 

Tenn.; Jim Tomphson farm and 4 miles north of 

Jackson, Madison County, Tenn.; La Grange, Fayette 

County, Tenn.; Bell City Pottery pit and 100 yards 

east of Bell City Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky. 

Grenada formation, float in orange sand south of 

Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn. (doubtful determination, may represent Banksia satfordi). 

The question of the proteaceous affinity of this and 

similar fossil forms of the Northern Hemisphere has 

been widely discussed by Unger, Heel', Ettingshausen, 

No fruits have been found in the Wilcox to certainly corroborate the evidence of the foliage, although 

a probable B a7IJksiaJ fruit is described as 0 (Jfl'politllJU8 

proteoide'8. On the other hand, neither have fruits, 

real or supposed, of Myric(J) been detected. Bctm.ksw 

,tenuifolia is exceedingly abundant in the Wilcox in 

many places and is a very characteristic form of leaf. 

In Figure 11 I have attempted the restoration of a " 

branch of this 'species, based upon actual specime~s 

and hypothetical only in respect to the grouping of 

t.he leaves on the branch. 

I!'WURE 11.-Restoration of Banksia tenllifolia Berry 

"~chimper, Schenk, Saporta, and later writers and 

~has been the occasion of wide differences of opinion. 

The opinions tJlat foliage is undeterminable or that 

all the records of Proteaceae represent Oomptonia:, 

Myrica, 01' other nonproteaceous genera. are untenable, 

as Alfred Russel Wallace pointed out years ago. I 

have discussed this question, together with the existing 

and geologic distribution of the various genera, in my 

first paper on the Wilcox flora,69 and the conclusions 

tl~ere expressed need not be repeated. 

69 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. SUl'vey Prof. Paper 91, pp. 83-87, 1916. 

Order POLYGONALES 

Family POLYGONACEAE 

Genus COCCOLOBIS P. Browne 

Coccolobis uviferafolia Berry, 

Plate 22, figure 9 

Ooooolob'is '/J/viferafolia Berry, U. S. Geol. Sm'vey Pl·of. Paper 

91, p. 212, pI. 87, fig. 5, 1916. . 

vVhen it was described in 1917 this species was 

know.n only from a single locality in western Tennessee. It has since been recognized at a number of 
68 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

localities III both the eastern and the western Gulf 

areas. The specimen figured herewith, from Harrison 

County, Tex., adds considerably to our knowledge of 

its features. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, of Wilcox group, 

three-fourths mile northeast of Pattersonville, Fa-. 

yette County, Tenn.; and Foundry Church pit and 

• Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. vVilcox formation, 

BoydsvjIle, Ark.; and 6 miles north of Scottsville, 

Harrison County, Tex. Carrizo sandstone, 5 miles 

northeast of La Pryor, Zavala County, Tex. 

Order CHENOPODIALES 

Family NYCTAGINACEAE 

Genus PISONIA Flumier 

Pisonia fructifera Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 11, figures 5, 6 

A nutletlike fruit or achene, with a peduncle about 

the same length as the fruit and crowned with the 

persistent calyx teeth, so similar to the existing fruits 

of Pisonia that it has seemed proper to refer them to 

that genus. Peduncle stout, about 8 millimeters in 

length. Fruit elliptical in side view. The two specimens are more or less flattened in the clays, and the 

presumption that they were approximately circular in 

cross section can not be verified. The surface is clearly 

costate, but the number of ribs can not be determined. 

The somewhat truncated apex is crowned by slight 

central projections whose exact outlines are not clear, 

which are considered to represent the persistent calyx 

teeth. 

This fruit is most similar to those of Pisonia among 

the fruits that I am familiar with, and as foliage that 

appears to represent this genus is not uncommon in 

Wilcox deposits, I feel justified in referring these 

fruits to that genus, the occurrence of which in the 

Wilcox has already been discussed at some length.70 

Several fossil fruits huve been referred to this genus, 

including Pisonia racemosa Lesquereux,71 from the 

Black Buttes coal group of Black Buttes, Wyo., which 

are much smaller, perfectly distinct from the present 

species, and somewhat doubtful in character, as are 

Pisonw eocenica Ettingshausen,72 from the Oligocene 

of the Tyrol, and Pisonia radooojama (Unger) Ettingshausen,18 from the Miocene of Croatia. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2% 

miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

10 Berry, E. W., U: S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 91, pp. 213-214, 1916. 

11 Lesquereux, Leo, The Tertiary flora, p. 209, pI. 35, fig. 4, 1878. 

72 Ettingshau~en, Constantin von, Die tertliire Flora von Haering in 

Tirol, p. 43, pI. 11, fig. 21, 1855 .. 

18 Unger, Franz, Sylloge plantarum fossilium, pt. 3, pI. 11, fig. 7, 

1865. 

Pisonia praejacksoniana Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 46, figure 2 

Leaves of relatively small size, oval and inequilateral in outline, widest above the middle, the full 

lateral margins in curved somewhat abruptly to the 

slightly extended and round pointed tip and less abruptly to the cuneate and slightly decurrent base. 

Texture coriaceous but not thickened. Margins entire. 

Length about 3.5 centimeters. Maximum width about 

1.5 centimeters. No specimens with a petiole preserved 

have been found. Midvein stout, curved, partly immersed. Secondaries stout, immersed; three or four 

pairs diverge from the midvein at angles of about 45° 

and are camptodrome. The tertiaries are immersed. 

FIGURE 12.-Restoration of Pisonia 

The outlines of the epidermal cells in cuticular prep-

}uations show the cells to have been exceedingly small 

and approximately isodiametric; the stomata on the 

other. hand appear to have been relatively large unless 

corrosion has increased the size of the holes marking 

their position. 

The genus Pisonia is represented in the Wilcox by 

three other species based upon leaves and another 

based upon characteristic fruits. The present species 

differs from those previously described sufficiently to 

Le easily recognized and does not require an extended 

discussion of its differences. It is larger and differs 

in form from Pisonia eolignitiea Berry and Pisonia 

o 
RANALES 69 

pu'ryeaTensis Berry; it is intermediate between the extremes of sizes of the lower Wilcox Pisonia chlorophylloides Berry, from which it differs slightly in 

outline und more conspicuously in secondary venation. 

Species of Pisol1Jia have also been described from the 

Claiborne and Jackson, and the present species is 

named from its apparently praenuntial relationship 

to Pisonia jac7csoniaJna Berry 74 of the Jackson, from 

which it differs in being slightly smaller and thinner 

textured. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sftlld, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

The restoration shown in Figure 12 is based upon 

the fruits described as Pisonia f'l'1JJctife'l'a Berry, from 

the upper part of the Holly Springs sand at Mill 

Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. There are several 

species of PisoniOJ based on foliage in the Wilcox, and 

the leaves which I have depicted in association with 

the fruits are those of Pisonia praejac1csoniaJna Berry, 

which are found at a nearly equivalent horizon in 'the 

Holly Springs sand of Henry County, Tenn. The 

habit is that of Pisonia longifolia .Sargent and other 

existing species of the genus. 

Order RANALES 

Family MENISPERMACEAE 

Genus MENISPERMITES Lesquereux 

l\fenispermites hardemanensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 10, figure 2 

Leaves of medium size, reniform or cordate, wit.h 

entire margins and a thin or fleshy texture. Apex 

probably pointed but possibly rounded. Base broadly 

truncated or slightly cordate. Length about 7.5 centimeters; maximum width, in the basal half of the leaf, 

about 9.25 centimeters. Petiole stout, of undetermined 

length. Midvein stout, curved. Lateral primaries, 

one on each side, subparallel with the margins, diverging from the midvein at the top of the petiole, at 

angles of. more than 45°, curving upward, and camptodrome in the apical part of the leaf. Secondaries, 

two or three alternate, much-curved, camptodrome 

pairs from the midrib and numerous regularly spaced 

camptodrome pairs fro111 outer sides of the lateral primaries, the basal pair of which from the extreme base 

of the primaries is somewhat enlarged. Tertiary 

venation compl;ising small arches about the margins 

and internally rather straight nervilles inosculating 

midway between primaries and secondaries or subsecondaries, forming large and prevailingly transverse 

meshes. 

This species is readily distinguished from the other 

three members of this genus found in the Wilcox. It 

'I' Berry, JD. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 92, p. 162, pI. 82, 

figs. 6, 7, 1924. . 

63757-30-6 

is much smaller and less elongated than M enispe'l'mtites 

'U.'rilcowensis Berry 75 and also differs conspicuously in 

its venation. Its distinctness from M enispe'l"1nJites 

cebathoicks Berry 76 is marked. That form is a 

coarser leaf with stouter veins, which are straighter 

and more ascending, and with seven primaries and 

pseudoprimaries diverging from the base. 

M enispermites ha'l'de'lnGYnensis differs from the associated M enispermites am;.erica11JUs in its larger size, 

less stout petiole, and palmate instead of pinnate 

venation. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2112 

miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

l\fenispermites americanus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 11, figures 1-4 

Leaves of relatively small size, short and wide and 

slightly cor gate in form, with a bluntly pointed apex, 

full-rounded lower lateral margins, and a broad truncated or slight1y cordate base. Length ranging from 

3.5 to 6 centimeters; maximum width, in basal half of 

the leaf, ranging from 4.5 to 7 centimeters. Margins 

entire. Texture thin. Petiole very stout and apparently fleshy, usually.not preserved. Midrib stout and 

prominent. Secondaries subopposite, all except the 

basal pair thin, four or five pairs, diverging from the 

midrib at wide angles, at first rather straight in their 

courses, curving rapidly upward as they approach the 

margins, and camptodrome. Tertiaries for the most 

part obsolete, a few transverse nerviUes seen internally, 

and arches along the margins. 

This species, which is not uncommon, is readily 

distinguished from the other three Wilcox species referred to this genus, being smaller than the others, 

and differing from all of them in its pinnate venation. 

It suggests comparisons with It variety of leaves of 

existing species, as, for example, various genera of 

the Euphorbiaceae, such as O'J1ULlanthus, StiZlVngia, 

and Dalechatmpia, especially certain species of the first 

like the East Indian Omalatnthus populifolia J ussieu, 

and some of the nonlobate Dalechampias of tropical 

America, but these lack the fleshy petiole and subcordate base of the fossil, and are also more acumi~ 

nate and show differences in venation. 

. Some South American species of the genus Onestis 

(Connaraceae) are also superficially like the fossil 

but are larger and coriaceous, tend to an ovate olltline, 

and show differences in venation. Some species of 

Begomia; (Begoniaceae) show some resemblances to 

the fossil, but they are not close and there are conspicuous differences. 

76 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 21, pI. 115, 

figs. 1, 2 ; pl. 116, figs. 2, 3, 1916. 

'18 Berry, E. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 12, pI. 11, 

fig. 1, 1922. 
70 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Some students might be disposed to compare llf enispermites amencanus with the genus Populus, but that 

genus, aside from its commonly toothed margins, differs in petiole, venation, and relative proport~ons. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2Y;z 

miles northwest of Shandy and 2% miles north of 

Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Family MAGNOLIACEAE 

Genus MAGNOLIA Linne 

Magnolia leei angustaBerry, n. var. 

Plate 37, figure 2 

Enormously elongated and narrowly lanceolate 

leaves, widest medianly and tapering gradually to the 

narrowly and equally acuminate ap.ex and base. Margins ~ntire, undulate. Leaf substance thin but stiff. 

Length about 32 centimeters; maximum width between 

4 and 4.5 centimeters. Petiole not preserved. Midvein extremely stout and prominent. Secondaries 

numerous, stout, diverging from the midvein at wide 

a.ngles at fairly regular intervals, rather straight in 

their courses until they approach the margins, where, 

they are somewhat abruptly camptodrome. Tertiary 

venation a,s in the type. 

This leaf is obviously a narrow form of M agnoZia 

l~ei Knowlton of the Wilcox and Raton, with which 

it agrees in all its features except its proportions, and 

a~ it preserves these at several scattered outcrops where 

the type is not represented it is 'believed to represent a 

definite botanical variety. 

The propriety of referring it to the genus Magnolia 

may well be questioned. It bears some resemblance 

to what has been called Ma;gnorli(JJ angustifoli(JJ Newberry but differs decidedly in the spacing and curvature of the secondaries. It is also much like a leaf 

from the Raton formation which Knowlton 77 refers to 

Magnolia laurifolia Lesquereux but is not especially 

like the' type of that species. It is also much like a 

form from the Oligocene of Italy described',by Principi 78 as Fi(JUJ8 grf1J'r/!$ifoU(J) (not of Unger, 1869). 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

llardeman County, Tenn.; Thompson & Barksdale 

prospect, Carroll County, Tenn.; and Grable pit, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

Magnolia angustifolia Newberry 

PIa te 38, figure 2 

MaglwUo, ang'ltstitolia Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 214, 1916. 

This species, which is common in the Raton formation of New Mexico: is found to be not uncommon in 

17 Knowlton, F. H., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 101, pI. 106, fig. 2, 

1918. 

18 Prineipi, Paolo, :Mem. aerv: dese. Carta Geol. Italla, vol. 6, P. 83, 

pIs. 32-33, fig. 2, 1916. 

the Wilcox, and a nearly complete specimen is figured 

in the present report. 

Occurrence: Holly SprIngs sand, Taylor farm, 

Chester County, Tenn.; west of Bolivar, Hardeman 

County, Tenn.; 1 mile west of Laconia, Fayette 

County, Tenn.,; 1 mile southwest of Grand Junction, 

Fayette County, Tenn., just west of Hardeman County 

line ; Breedlove pit, Grable pit, Atkins pit, and Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. Wilcox formation, Mansfield, N aborton, and Coushatta, La. 

Family ANONACEAE 

Genus ANONA Linne 

Anona robertsi Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 41, figures 14-18 

A variable elliptical seed of which I have 21 speci. 

mens from six localities appears to be that of some 

species of Anona, the leaves of three different species 

of which are rather common at certain horizons in thr: 

Wilcox. Very probably these seeds represent one or 

more of these foliar species, but no course is available 

except to describe the seeds as a new species, and I am 

referring all these seeds to a single species, although 

they are sufficiently variable to suggest that more than 

one is represented. A nona seeds in the recent species 

are variable in both size and outline, but these fossil 

seeds show slight differences in textural features as 

well as the two extremes of form that are illustrated 

by the photographed specimens from Bell City, Ky., 

and Milan, Tenn. 

Similar variations are seen in the seeds of the exist· 

iiIg Anonas, where the testa is usually thin and dis .. 

closes the markings of the ruminate or wrinkled endosperm, although in some species the testa is thick, 

hard, and smooth. The, fossils all belong to the 

former type, and the peculiar transverse or oblique 

markings are believed to represent the wrinkled endosperm. That the seeds were of considerable consistency is shown by the specimens in the more carbonaceous beds like those at Cottage Grove, which 

specimens in drying have more or less slacked and 

destroyed their characteristic appearance. 

Seeds variable in size and outline, 'roughly elliptical, 

compressed, rounded throughout, about twice as long 

as wide, and about three times as wide as thick, many 

of them excentric in outline. In general wider above 

the middle and slightly truncated along the apical 

and basal margins. Surface wrinkled, either at righ,t 

angles or obliquely to the axis. Some of the specimens have the appearance of a veined pod, but they 

contain no cavity or definite seeds and appear to be 

solid, so that the conclusion that they are seeds seems 

well founded. T,hei are very similar in appearance 

to the seeds of several existing species of A nonfJ), and ~ 
ROSALES 71 

I believe represent that genus. I have also compared 

the.ln with the seeds of the related genus Aswnina, to 

which Lesquereux referred a specimen, since lost, from 

the lower \Vilcox of 1\fississippi. The fossils appear 

to me to be rnore definitely related to Anona than to 

A.sinl-ina. 

OcculTence: fIo11y Spring5 sand: Holcomb property, 

Grable pit, lIenry County, l'enn.; Jim Tomphsop. 

farm, Madison County, Tenn.; Bell City Pottery pit, 

Calloway County, ICy. Grenada formation, Cottage 

Grove, flen!.'y County, Tenn.; Milan, Gibson County: 

Tenn. 

Family CERATOPHYLLACEAE 

Genus CERATOPHYLLUM Linne 

Ceratophyllum inccrtum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figures 7, 8 

An ellipticn1 somewhat compressed nutlike fruit of 

considerable consistency about 3 millimeters in length 

and 2 millimeters in maximum width narrowly margined IHound the border and this margin produced 

uutward to form delicate spines of varying length, 

the apicn1 one slightly more prominent than the others, 

which are about 10 in number and are somewhat less 

regularly developed than the enla.rged drawing shown 

in Plate 33, Figure 8, indicates. After 11 rather complete canvass of the vegetable kingdom for analogous 

fruits this strikingly characteristic small form is refen'ed, with some hesitation, to the genus Oerato1} h?/lltu/ln. 

The mOdeI'll species of this genus' are differently 

evnluated by systematists and may be but three or 

four very wide-ranging forms of ponds and slow 

streams or may be tenor a dozen in number. There 

~8 considerable unevaluated variation in the character 

of the fruits. Usually the persistent ~;tyle forms the 

beak, alid this is indicated in the fossil material by 

the greater development of the apical spine. Otherwise the recent fruits may be profusely spined like 

the fossil or nearly or quite spineless. 

The geologic history of the genus is very imperfectly known, and if the present species is correctly 

determined it represents the oldest well-authenticated 

form. Fruits of the recent species are not at all uncommon in the Pleistocene of both North America 

and Europe, but older records' are less conclusive. 

Ettingshausen recorded very unconvincing fragments 

o'f stems and leaves from the Cretaceous of Australia 

nnd the Miocene of Styria as species of Oeratophyll'u1n, 

and Saporta 70 recorded more satisfactory specimens 

of stems with verticillate leaves from the lower 

1\1iocene of France. Characteristic fruit.s from the 

70 SnpOl'tn, Goston de, Recherches slir Ia v~g~tation dll Ilivenu Aqnit01l11'1l (10 MnnosqtiC', p. In, pI. 2. figs. 8-10, 1891. 

1\1iocene Esmeralda formation of N evacla have l'f'-

c~ntly been described.so 

Order PAPA VERALES 

Family CAPPARIDACEAE 

Genus CAPPA.RIS Linne 

Cap paris eocenica am pIa Berry, n. val'. 

Plate 36, figures 4, 5 

Le~1Ves of characteristic aspect obviously related to 

Oapp(JJris eooenica Berry and possibly representing 

variants of that species but showing constant differences. Elongate and narrowly elliptical in outline, 

widest medianly, with entire but slightly ,vavy margins and coriaceous in texture. Apex and base about 

equally abruptly pointed; apex in some specimens 

slightly emarginate. Length 7.5 to 10.75 centimeters, 

maximum width 2 to 2.5 centimeters. Petiole stout, 

expanded proximad, 1 centimeter in length. Midvein 

stout throughout, prominent on the underside of the 

leaf. Secondaries numerous, stout, and prominent, 

diverging from the midvein at wide angles, camptoc1l'ome. Tertiaries well marked, closely spaced, percurrent, and anastomosing, prominent on the underside 

of the leaf. 

This form is common at the localities cited. Itdiffers from OapP(JJris eocenica in its larger and relatively 

broader form and in its somewhat stouter venation and 

longer and stouter petiole. The largest leaf that I 

have seen of OalJpa'J-is eooenic(J;, and I have handled 

abundant material, is 8 centimeters long and 1.7 centimeters in maximum width and has a petiole 3 millimeters in length. The variety {JJJ71Jpla averages about 

the same length as this specimen but is never under 2 

centimeters in.maximum width and has a petiole much 

stouter and over three. times as long. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Jim Tomphson 

farm and Will Brooks farm~ Madison County, Tenn. 

Order ROSALES 

Family HAMAMELIDACEAE 

Gen us PARROTIA C. A. Meyer 

Parrotia cuneat'a (Newberry) Berry 

Plate 12, figure 10 

ViblW1M£m C1tn6a.tW1t Newberry, U. S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 5, 

p. 511, 1882 [1883]; u. S. Geol. Survey MOll. 35, p. 130, 

pI. 57, fig. 2, 1898. 

Par1'oUa cuneata Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 

219, 1916. 

In 1916 I referred this species, described by Newberry from the Fort Union formation of Montana as 

a Vib1{j}'n'U)7n, to the genus Pw'roti(J;, basing my deso Berry, E. W., U. S. Nat. Mns. Proc., y,oI. 72, art. 23, p. 10, pI. 1, 

figs. 2-4, 1927. 
72 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

scription on specimens found near the base of the 

Holly Springs sand in Tennessee but not figuring any 

of these, as all were incomplete. vVhat appears to be 

the same species, despite certain differences, occurs in 

large, nearly complete specimens in Nevada County, 

Ark., and one of these is figured in the present report. 

This specimen differs from the type in its larger size 

and fewer and more curved secondaries but preserves 

the same general facies. It is a form that students 

have frequently referred to the genus Qwercus, although in my opinion it is not related to that genus. 

It is not unlike a leaf in the Clarno formation of Oregon that Newberry 81 described as Q'Uerqus pa'Ucii/)entata. It is also similar to a form from the travertine 

of Sezanne in France (Thanetian) described by 

Saporta 82 as H avul!lnelites fothergilloides and referred 

by him to the same family to which I have referred 

the Wilcox .fossils. Ward 83 identified a Fort Union 

species with that of Saporta, but I much doubt their 

identity, nor is Ward's species like the present one 

that I have referred to Parrroti(J). 

Occurrence: Wilcox formation, ::;ec. 10, T. 14 .S., R. 

21 W., Nevada County, Ark. Holly Springs gand, 

Silerton road, Chester County, Tenn. 

Genus LIQUIDAMBAR Linne 

Liquidambar wilcoxianum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 21, figure 8 

Leaves of lnedium size, palmately five-lobed. 

Median lobe largest, basal lobes smallest and recurved. 

Lobes conical acmninate, separated by open, somewhat angular sinuses that extend more than halfway 

to th~ base. Margin with small serrate teeth, which 

become close spaced toward the tips and are absent in 

the sinuses. Petiole stout, curved, of undetermined 

length. Primaries five, from the top of the petiole, 

stout and prominent, becoming thin distad. Secondaries numerous, thin, regularly curved, and camptodrome. Fruits are mud casts, fragmentary but characteristic. 

Only a single specimen ot the leaf of this species has 

been found, and as the leaves of this genus are remarkably variable it may have had leaves with 3 to 

'[ lobes. The leaves of the existing sweet gum 

(Liq'lJJid;avtbar styraciflua) rot very rapidly, and this 

perishability was probably shared by the ancestral 

forms of the genus, to judge by their relative scarcity 

in the rocks. 

It has been customary to refer the majority of fossil 

forms of Liquidambar to the protean species Liquid81 Newberry, J. S., U. S. Geol. Survey Mon. 35, p. 76, pI. 43, fig. 1, 

1898. 

82 Saporta, Gaston de, Prodrome d'une fiore fossile des travertins 

anciens de S~zanne: Soc. geoI. France M~m., 2d ser., vol. 8, M~m. 3, 

p.393 (105), pI. 32 (11), fig. 3, 1868. 

88 Ward, L. F., U. S:-Geol. Survey Bull. 37, p. 64, pl. 29, fig. 1, 1887. 

a1rhbar europaeU1n Alexander Braun, which in consequence has an extended 'geographic and geologic range. 

In fact, all the fossil forms thus far known might be 

matched by the variants of one or another of the existing species. The Wilcox form, so far as it is 

known, could readily be referred either to L. europaeum or to L. styraoiflua. It is, however, highly 

improbable that.a single botanic species ranged all 

over the Northern Hemisphere without lnodification 

or maintained its specific identity from Eocene to 

Miocene, much less to Recent time. For these reasons 

the Wilcox species is described as a new species. 

The present is one' of the oldest authentic "records 

of Liquida1nba1' and tends to disprove a previously 

entertained hypothesis that the genus may have originated in northern latitudes, a view which was suggested by the fact that the hitherto oldest known 

forms were found in the upper Eocene of Alaska, 

Greenland, and Oregon.84 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, near State hospi~al west of Bolivar (leaf); big cut at Pine Top 

(fruits); Murrell property, southeast of Bolivar 

(fruits) ; all in Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Family DRUPACEAE 

Genus AMYGDALUS Linne 

Amygdalus wilcoxiana Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 12, figure 1 

Elliptical, almost circular, compressed ligneous 

stones, abruptly pointed distad, rounded proximad, 

somewhat inequilateral in outline, compressed. Surface lnarkedly rugose, the longitudinal ribs more persistent than those that run in other directions, the 

latter becoming more prominent toward the base. 

Length, about 2 centimeters; maximum width, about 

1.6 centimeters. 

These characteristic objects are known from several 

different localities in the Wilcox and appear to be 

referable to the genus A·mygdalus, which is represented in the Tertiary of Europe by leaves and stones, 

the latter of which are commonly very similar to the 

1Vilcox specimens. Among these foreign occurrences 

the most similar are Av~ygdalus pl"isca Watelet,85 from 

the Sparnacian of the Paris Basin, and Amygd'aJlus 

pereger Unger,86 which has been recorded from horizons ranging from the uppermost Oligocene (Chattian) to the Pliocene. . 

The existing species of AVl1!lgd'avw8 number about 

five. They are shrubs or small trees of Asia. De 

84 Liquida1nbar integrifolium Lesquereux of the Upper Cretaceous is 

not a gum but a species of Sterc1.I:Ua, as is also in all probability a 

so-called gum from the Eocene of France described by Watelet. 

85 Watelet, Adolphe, Description des plantes fossiles du bassin de 

Paris, p. 237, pI. 58, fig. 11, 1866. 

86 Unger, Franz, Die fossile Flora von Sotzka, p. 54, pl. 34, figs. 

10-14, 1850. 
ROSALES 73 

Candolle considers the cultivated peach to be a native 

of China and the almond of western Asia (Syria and 

Anatolia), although it is possible that the almond is 

also a native of other ]\1editerranean countries, as, for 

example, Greece and Algeria. Some botanists refer 

the genus E'I71pZectoclad~!Js Torrey with two or three 

shrubby species in California, ]\1exico, and Asia to 

A '1ny,qclal~!J8. 

At any rate, there is no reason why the ancestral 

stock should not have existed in North America during the earry '"l"'ertjary.son 

It is quite natural that this earlier stock should have 

had smnller stones thnn the later forms, and this appears to have been true of all the fossil species. The 

greater compression of the stone in the Wilcox form 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, 2.9 Iniles southwest of Somerville, near Moses Hill; Somerville, north 

of Loosahatchie River, on road to Yum Yum; all in 

Fayette County) Tenn. Holly Springs sand, Whiteville gully, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Family ROSACEAE 

Genus CHRYSOBALANUS Linne 

Chrysobalanus eocenica Berry 

Plate 12, figures 2-4 

Ohrysobalanus eocewica Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 220, pI. 44, figs. 4, 5; pI. 112, figs. 8--10, 1916. 

These fruits were described from Grenada, Miss., 

and Puryear, Tenn., in the report cited above. They 

were all preserved in clays, and their condition was 

FIGURE 13.-Restoration of Ohrysobalanus 

may be compared with the condition in the existing 

A'InygdJaZw pZaJtyca.?·pa (Decaisne) 9f China. 

The known fossil species, most of them based upon 

fruits as well as leaves, number 10, all of which except 

A'InygilaJ;u;s graailJis Lesquereux,S7 which is ba~ed upon 

leaves and rather unconvincing stones, are from the 

Old World. The oldest of these is A'I7llygdaZw prisca 

'Vatelet,SS from the lo,ver Eocene of the Paris Basin. 

There are two species in the Oligocene of Europe, eight 

in the ]\iiocene and one In the Pliocene of Italy, and 

one in the Pliocene of Asia J\1inor. 

SOn SInce 1his paragraph was written a characteristic Amyodalu8 

stone hus been l'ecol'ded from the Miocene of the State of Washington. 

B7 Lesqucreux, Leo, 1'l1e Cretaceous and Tertiary floras, p. 199, pI. 40, 

figs. 12-15; pI. 44, fig. 6, 1883. 

sa Watelct, Adolphe, op. cit., p. 237. 

not nearly so good as those collected in 1923 from n. 

but slightly compressed lignite band at the outcrop in 

Chester County, Tenn. At the latter locality they 

may be washed out of the lignite in perfect condition. 

I have been fortunate in having a representative series 

of the fruits of the modern Ohrysobalrunus icaco Linne 

from southern Florida through the Antilles to Colombia for comparison with the fossils. Except for the 

average smaller size of the fossil form, it is identical 

In outline, thin flesh, and rugosities with the fruits of 

this modern species, and there can not be the slightest 

doubt but that the fossil represents a lower Eocene 

species of Ohrysobalanw, which is also represented 

by characteristic leaves at numerous localities in the 

vVilcox. 
74 'J'HE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Only new localities are listed below. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, on road to Macon, 

1~ miles south of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn.; 

Holly Springs sand, Silerton road, Taylor farm, Ches·-

ter County, Tenn. 

The restoration shown in Figure 13 is a combination of the leaves described as () hrysobalanus inaequalis (Lesquereux) Berry, of the upper part of the 

Holly Springs sand and the Grenada formation, and 

the characteristic ridged stones of a drupe described 

as Ohrysobalanus. eocenic(J; Berry and found at several localities in the Holly Springs sand and Grenada 

formation and beautifully preserved in the lignite 

seam on the Taylor farm in Chester County, Tenn. 

The habit is that of the existing 0 hrysobalanus icaco 

Linne. The fruits are depicted somewhat larger HI 

size than is indicated by the fossil stones. 

Family MIMOSACEAE 

Genus MIMOSITES Bowerbank 

Mimosites variabilis Berry 

Plate 12, figure 6; Plate 32, figure 7 

]I-imosiJtes varia·bilis Berry, U. S. Geol. Sui·vey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 227, pI. 45, figs. 6-11, 1916. 

A specimen of this common species from a place 

near Rogers Spring, Tenn., unlike all the numerous 

specimens hitherto collected, adds to our knowledge of 

the leaf in that it shows six leaflets of the maximum 

size of this species, closely spaced on the rachis. They 

are slightly ascending in attitude, at intervals of about 

5 millimeters, so that they overlap slightly in the median region of the. leaflet. 

A second specimen showing the three terminal 

leaflets and coming from Mill Creek is referred to this 

species with a good deal of confidence. If normal 

for the species it shows that the leaves were odd pinnate in habit, and in conjunction with the specimen 

mentioned above it allows the complete leaf to be 

pictured. 

The specimen figured shows considerable resemblance to tp.e tripartite calices of certain species of the 

genus Ma()reightia A. de Candolle, a member of the 

family Ebenaceae found at the present time in the 

African and American Tropics and occurring fossil in 

the European Miocene. This resemblance is believed 

to be illusory, however, and the specimen is believed 

to represent Mimosites variabilis. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Early Grove, 

Holly Springs, Miss.; Wickliffe, Ky.; west of La 

Grange and 1~ miles west of Grand Junction, Fayette 

County, Tenn. ; Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. ; 

. RQgers Spring, half a mile southwest of Walnut 

Grove, west of Bolivar, Bolivar-Somerville road, Mill 

Creek, Boli"var-J ackson road, near Clover Creek, half 

a mile southeast of Walnut Grove (very common) ; 

and 3 miles south of Saulsbury, all in Hardeman 

County, Tenn. Grenada formation, Grenada, Miss. 

",Vilcox formation, sec. 10, T. 14 S., R. 21 W., Nevada 

County, Ark. 

Mimosites acaciafolius Berry 

PIa te 30, figures 5-8 

Mitnosites acaciatoli'lts Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91. p. 226, pI. 45. fig". 14. 1924. 

The accompanying figures of this species from a 

new locality add somewhat to our knowledge of its 

characteristics, known hitherto from a single locality. 

The character of the base and venation, not shown in 

the figure of the type, will serve for its recognition in 

the future. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Bolivar-Jackson 

road, just south of Madison-Hardeman County line 

and north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Mimosites wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 38, figures 6-8 

Four ",Vilcox species b.ased upon leaflets have been 

referred to the genus llfvlno8ites, and the various pods 

found have been referred to Legu17vinosites, Oassia, 

Park ins onia, and other genera. Recent collections 

contain numerous fragnlents of linear, nlany seederl, 

compressed pods that appear definitely to belong iH 

the family ~1imosaceae, and these are accordingly referred to the fon11 genus Mi17w8ites and may well 

represent the fruits of one of the four species based 

upon leaflets. 

These pods are stipitate, compressed, linear in out--

line, with a bluntly pointed apex and a gradually narrowed and curved base. Their substance appears tG 

have been stiff and rather brittle, to judge by the way 

in which they are broken. They are about 9 centimeters long and $ millimeters in maximum width_ 

They contain about 15 compressed seeds which arc 

orbicular in outline. The margins are well 111arked, 

and a few transverse veins are visible. 

The only vVilcox pod at all similar to these is one 

described as Oassia bentonensis Berry.89 This form 

is sparsely represented, is somewh9.t larger, less strictly 

linear, with more i)rominent venation and thinnm· 

texture, ~the contained seeds not sufficiently thick to 

influence the contour of the surface and to give the 

compartment appearance so obvious in the present 

species. 

Several existing species of Mimosa have pods like 

Mi1nosites 'toilcowensis, as has also Acacia; filiculoides 

(Cavanilles) Trelease, a prairie plant ranging from 

89 Berry. E. W., U. S. Geo). Survey Prof. Pst;ler 91, p. 229. pI. 50. 

fig. 1. 1916. 
ROSALES 75 

Missouri and I(ansas southward into Mexico. Authot's have described similar fossil pods from the 

European Tertiary as Aoacia or Minwsa, but in th!' 

present state of our knowledge positive discrimination 

is impossible. 

Occurrence: I-Iolly Springs sand, Mill Creek and 

Clover Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Genus PITHECOLOBIUM Martius 

Pithecolobium? tennesseense Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 22, figure 6; Plate 39, figure 7 

Leaflets relatively small, elongate, markedly inequilatentl below, and roughly ovate. Apex narrowly 

rounded. Base acuminate on one side and full and 

rounded on the other. 1\1argins entire. Apparently 

thin and stiff in texture. .Length about 3.5 centimeters; mnximum width, at or slightly above the 

middle, nbout 1.4 centimeters. Leaflets apparently 

sessile. 1\1idvein stout, prominent on the under side 

of the leaflet, conspicuously curved. Secondaries thin 

. but prominent, numerous, camptodrome. 

This species is sparingly represented in the collections but is markedly distinct from previously de· 

scribed forms. It is not unlike the leaflets of several 

unrelated existing genera of the Leguminosae, as, for 

example, (] a88'ia bifoliolata, and some species of 

Ba1.IJhwlIia. The venation, however, appears to me to 

be more like that of Pithecolobiwm, and as the fornl is 

rather characteristic of tha: genus, it is tentatively 

referred to it. 

Two well-marked species of Pithecolobiwm are· already known from the middle and upper Wilcox,90 

a.nd several Tertiary species have been described since 

the Wilcox report was published-from the Oligocene 

of Louisiana,ol from the Miocene of the Dominican 

Republic 02 and Porto Rico,08 and from the Pliocene of 

Bolivia.04 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, northwest of Pattersonville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Pithecolobium eocenicum Berry 

Plate 32, figure 10 

Pithecolobhtm eoceniottm Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 225, pI. 45, fig. 2, 1916. 

One of the interesting features of the recent collections from the Wilcox is the extended distribution of 

00 Berry, E. W., U. S. Ceol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 225, PI. 45, 

figs. 2, 8, 1916. 

01 Bel'ry, E. W., U. S. Ceol. Survey Prof. Paper 98, p. 239, pI. 55, 

Ilg. 10, 1916. . ~'~\f 

O~ Berry, E. W., U. S. Nut. Mus. Proc., vol. 59, p. 120, pI. 21, fig. 2' 

1021. '. 

Da Holllck, Arthur, New York Bot. Curden Bull., vol. 12, pp. 302, 303, 

pl. 10, fig. 8; pI. 11, fig. 4, 1924. 

1M Berry, E. W., U. S. Nut. Mus. Proc., vol. 54, p. 131, pl. 15, fig. 20, 

1017'; Johns Hopkins Unlv. Studies in Geology, No.4, p. 173, pl. 6, 

11gB. 7, 8, 1922. 

many species known only from the single locality nt 

Puryear at the time that the first report was written. 

Such a great variety of forms were recorded from 

Puryear that the author could not help but suspect 

that chance variation in form may have led to an 

unnecessary duplication of species. When these forms 

are found at scattered localities, however, the pre-

~umption that they are normal is greatly !ncreased. 

The specimen of the present species figured herewith 

is relatively slightly wider than the type, with somewhat less curvature of the mid vein; it has a slightly 

mucronate tip and, a short and not especially con· 

spicuous petiolule. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 2%, miles north 

of Shandy and Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn.; 

Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

Pithecolobium eocenicum anomalum Berry, n. var. 

Plate 44, figures 1, 2 

Two specimens of very inequilateral leaves or leafl<=;ts from different localities are believed to be abnormal forms of the well-known Wilcox species Pitheeolobiwm eoceniC'lJ)'J7b Berry. The smaller of these specimens represents a supposed leaflet less than 1.5 centimeters in length and about 8 l1'\illimeters in maximum 

width, of a coriaceous texture and relatively very 

prominent and coarse venation. The exceedingly stout 

midvein is considerably curved, and four-fifths of the 

lamina is on the .convex side of the midvein. The 

stalk is very stout and curved 'and about 1.4 centimeters in length. The secondaries in the wider side 

ar~ relatively stout, four or five in number, diverging 

from a midvein at a relatively wide angle and curving upward subparallel with the margins, camptodrome. The tertiaries are well marked and irregularly 

percurrent. 

The larger specimen is even more inequilateral than 

the smaller, with which it agrees in venation. Only 

between 1 and 2 millimeters of petiolule is preserv.ed, 

so that it is not known if it was extended as in the 

smaller form. I imagine that it was not. This larger 

leaflet is about 2 centimeters in length and 13.5 millimeters in maximum width, and I regard it as more 

typical of this variety than the smaller leaf. 

The stout elongated petiolule, if it is a petiolule, of 

the smaller specimen is an objection to considering it 

tc represent a PitneoolobiwJiv, but the similarity of 

form and the identity of the venation in the two sUO'- . b 

gests the following explanation: In the smaller specimen we have an abnormal leaflet representing all 

that was developed there of a leaf, and the stout petiolule is not atrue petiolule but the stipe of a small leaf, 

of which only this single leaflet was formed. 

If my interpretation is correct, then this variety 

normally differed from Pitnecolobiwm eooeniOUJJ'l1, in 

being relatively shorter and wider, with a coarser 

PROP£RlY OF U. ·S.,:.. BUREAU OF M1NES 
76 TRB I,OWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

FIGURE 14.-Restoration of Inga 

venation, fewer and more ascending secondaries, a 

greater expansion on one side and a diminution on the 

other of the lamina, and a slipping downward, as it· 

were, of the midvein, so that the tip of the leaflet was 

very obliquely truncated, the lamina on the small side 

forming an acute angle with the tip of the midvein, 

and the lamina on the other side extending upward to 

form a broadly rounded earlike expanse. 

Modern leaves of PithJecolobiu'1rb. show a very considerable variation in size, form, and texture, and it is 

possible that the variety described above should be 

regarded as merely the variants of Pit'hecolobi'Uflnl 

eO' ceni(]'/Jln1,. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Hell!'}' 

County, Tenn.; Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 

miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn. 

Genus INGA Willdenow 

Inga Iaurinafolia Berry 

Plate 22, figures 1-4 

Inua laurin.afoUa Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 224, pI. 48, fig. 8, 1916. 

This very characteristic fo'rm was described origiHally from a single locality in Louisiana and is but 

sparingly represented in the eastern embayment. In 

view of the great abundance of fossil plants in this 
ROSALES 77 

J'egion this fact can only mean that it was not common 

there. '1'he specimens figured from Harrison County, 

Tex., where this form is very abundant, show well 

its limits of size and form. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, 2.9 miles southwest of Somerville, near Moses Hall, Fayette County, 

Tenn.; Holly Springs sand, Grove pit, Henry County, 

Tenn. Wilcox formation, Mansfield and Coushatta, 

La.; 6 miles north of Scottsville, Harrison County, 

Tex. 

The leaflets described as I nga laurinafolia Berry 

are not uncommon in the upper half of the Wilcox 

in Louisiana and Texas. They are rather similar to 

several ex~sting species of Inga and are especially like 

I nga lawrin'a Willdenow of the Antillean region, 

which resemblanceP suggested the specific name of the 

fossil species. Only the detached leaflets have been 

found, and therefore their synthesis into even-pinnate 

leaves rests on the habit of various existing species, 

as does the winged rachis. 

rfhe pods are those from the upper part of the Holly 

Springs sand in western Tennessee described as Legun1li'l1JOsites ilnga;I'I'Uctoides Berry, which are also like 

the pods of numerous existing species, especially the 

Mexican species I nga lep,toloba Schlechtendahl. Of 

course we have no means of knowing that these particular pods and leaflets represent a single Eocene 

species of I nga, for the leaflets of three other species 

have been described from the Wilcox, and the present 

association rests on the equally robust character of 

both the pods and leaflets. 

Family CAESALPINIACEAE 

Genus PARKINSONIA Linne 

Parkinsonia eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 12, figure 9; Plate 41, figure 11 

In 1916 I described certain small, obovate-lanceolate leaflets from the Wilcox of western Tennessee as 

Oaesalpilnite8 (Pa:trkinsoniaf) aculeatafolia,95 the specific name being suggeste~ by their resemblance to the 

leaflets of the existing P(Jfrkinsonia aculeata Linne. 

In the collections of 1923 there are fragmentary specimens of pods, which are likewise absolutely indistinguishable from the pods of this existing species. I 

realize that other Leguminosae have similar torulose 

pods, but the circumstantial evidence seems to me convincing enough to warrant the reference of these fossils to the genus .Parkiwonia. I have accordingly 

described these pods as a species of that genus and 

would transfer the lea.flets mentioned a.bove to the 

sa.me genus. 

The pods may be described as follows: Pods 

rounded in cross section, lanceolate falcate in form, 

gil Bcl'l'Y, E. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 237, pI. 50, 

fig. 15, 1916 .. 

with a stout curved p~duncle about 1.5 centimeters in 

length, with three or four elliptica.l seeds elongated in 

the axis of the pod, conspicuously constricted between 

the seeds, apparently with a smooth surface and indehiscent, and of a coriaceous consistency. Length 

about 9 centimeters (estimated); maximum diameter 

about 8 millimeters. 

As previously mentioned, many leguminous species 

have more or less torulose or monilifol'ln pods. 

Among these there are several still existing in tho 

Texas part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain or in the 

region west and south of Texas, comprising Acacia 

t01'tuosaWilldenow of the Rio Grande Valley and 

regions to the south; Prosopis j'l.tliflora D~ Candollc, 

FIGURE 15.-Restoration of Parkinsonia 

the mesquite, which ranges from Texas to Lower California; Sophora secwndiflora De Candolle and Sophora affinis Torrey and Gray, which range, respect!vely, from Texas to Mexico and from Arkansas to 

Texas; and Olneya tesota Gray of southern California, Arizona, and Mexico. The last is a desert type, 

but the others, although living in an arid climate, 

require more or less moisture. 

I have compared the fossil pods with these, and 

they show more or less' conspicuous differences. 

These fossil pqds are somewhat more slender than 

those of the existing ParkinsoniOJ '1nicrophylla Torrey 

and are of the same size, form, and relative proportions as the pods of the existing Parlcinsoni(J) aC'Ulleata 

Linne. The accompanying restoration (fig. 15) con· 

sists of the pods of Parkinsonia eoceniea Berry and 

the leaflets of Oaesalpinites aculeatafoZia Berry and 
78 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX l!~LORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

is closely patterned after- the' existing Parkinsonia 

a{flJ),le'(}Jta Linne, except that as there is no evidence 

from the fossils of a stipe, which was probably present, the pods are depicted as attached directly upon 

the axis of the inflorescence. 

Parkinsonia aculeata is a relatively small tree, not 

over 30 feet tall, commonly with a stout trunk and 

slender spreading branches, indigenous in the moister 

soils of depressions or stream valleys in arid or semiarid regions, ranging from the basin of the Rio 

Grande and its tributaries in southern Texas and 

northern Mexico, the 'Rio Colorado Valley in Arizona, 

and in Lower California to northwestern Peru. It 

has been rather extensively planted as an ornamental 

plant in the warmer countries of the world and has 

become naturalized in Florida, the Bahamas, the West 

Indies, and in many tropical countries. 

The genus contains but three or four existing 

species found in the warmer parts of North America 

near the ~1exican border and southward and in South 

Africa. Unless its modern environment represents a 

change in its requirements since Wilcox time, its presence in the Wilcox might be taken to indicate a certain amount of aridity, probably entirely local and 

due to its having inhabited '~andy coastal regions 

where the water table was near the surface but where 

the insolation was especially pronounced and the 

growth open and without much shade from other 

trees-that is, a sort of beach chaparral. 

Of the two species of Parkinsonria that occur in the 

United States, the one is a desert plant and the other, 

P. aculeata, is found in low moist situations in regions 

where the general climiate is more or less arid. 

The only other fossil species of the genus known is 

Parkinso'flJia recta Laurent,96 a typical species, represented by both leaflets and pods and found in the Tongrian of southern France (Celas). This form is exceedingly close to the Wilcox 'form but has somewhat 

l~rger, and mo:re e~ongated leaflets. ' 

Among similar fossil forms may be mentioned the 

pods described by Saporta97 from the lower Miocene 

of southern France (Armissan) as Acae'ia bousqueti. 

Occurrence: Holly Spri~gs sand, La Grange, west 

of road and south of railway at western edge 9£ the 

town, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Genus COPAIFERA Linne 

Copaifera? wilcoxiana Berry, n. sp. 

PIa te 46, figures 5, 6 

These forms are referred tentatively to the genus 

Oopaifera, with the leaflets of the existing species of 

96 Laurent, Louis, Flore des calcaires de C~las, p. 140, pl. 14, figs. 

18-21, 1899. 

11'1 Saporta, Gaston de, Etudes sur Ia v~g~tation du sud-est de Ia 

, France A l'~poque tertiaire, vol. 2, p. 378, pl. 13, fig. 12, 1865. 

which they agree in their' form and venation, although 

it is recognized that other Leguminosae, as, for example, certain species of 0 assia and 0 aesailpinia 

obliqua Vogel, also have similar leaflets. I am largely 

influenced in this identification by the presence of 

characteristic fruits of Oopaifera in the Claiborne 

Eocene of the embayment region os combined with the 

previously mentioned agreeInent in the foliage p'reserved in the Wilcox with that of various species of 

(}opaifera, as, for example, Oopaifera lamgsdorfii Desfontaines and other species of the genus existing in 

northern South America. 

The present form, if correctly determined, adds a 

new and interesting generic type to the already 

largely represented Leguminosae of the Wilcox. It 

may be described as follows: 

Leaflets very unsYlnmetrical, with approximately 

symmetrical acute tips and obliquely truncated, very 

inequilateral bases. Margins entire. Texture coriaceo us. Length from 2.25 to 3 centimeters along the 

mid vein; maximum' width from 7.5 to 13 millinleters. 

In the wider forms the lamina a short distance above 

the base is 7 millimeters wide on one side and 4 millimeters wide on the other. The leaflet,S are sessile and 

'attached at the expanded base of the midvein. The 

midvein is relatively stout and nearly straight. The 

secondaries are medium stout but immersed in the leaf 

substance, so that they are not, prominent; a greater 

or lesser number o,f pairs diverge from the midvein at 

wide angles, pursue, rather straight courses outward, 

and are abruptly camptodrome well within the margins. The tertiary venation and a:reolation are immersed, except for the arched tertiaries outside the 

secondary camptodrome loops. 

This type is a well-marked one and' readily distinguished from previously described Wilcox Leg~minosae. As stated above, it is believed to represent the 

genus Oopaifera, which lias about a score of existing 

species in the American and African Tropics and a 

number of Tertiary species, in Europe and America. 

If authentic, the present is the oldest-known species. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs san4, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

,Genus CAESALPINIA Linne 

Caesalpinia wilcoxiana Berry 

PIa te 40, figure 1 

Caesalpinia Wtilco:viana Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 235, pI. 50, figs. 9--12, 1916. 

This species was described in 1916 from the detached leaflets, which are common at a consi,derable 

number of localities throughout the Holly Springs 

08 Berry, E_ W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 92, p. 63, pI. 10, 

fig. 4, 1924. 
ROSALES 79 

sand. In 1925 a. complete leaf was collected. This 

specimen shows it to have been even pinnate, as in 

existing species of (} aesallJinia, with but two pairs of 

leaflets, which were widest on their distal sides, and to 

have had a relatively long and very stout petiole. 

From this specimen the accompanying restoration has 

been prepared. (See fig. 16. ) No part of this figure 

is hypothetical, and the restoration consists merely in' 

completing the outlines of the leaflets and the venation of this unique specimen from entire leaflets in the 

collection. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 214 miles north of 

Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

FIGUltE 16.~Hcstorntlon of n complete leaf 

of Cao8alpinia 'lvilcoll)iana Berry 

Genus CAESALPINITES Saporta 

Caesalpinites wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figures 21, 2Z 

Leaflets small, oval, and vei·y inequilateral, especially 

in the lower half of the leaflet. Tip rounded, nearly 

~quilnteral. Base narrowly descending on one side, 

flaring and full on the other. Texture relatively coriaceous. Petiolule barely l110re than an expanded proximal end of the midvein, not quite a millimeter long 

in the largest leafiets, the base of the broader side of 

the lamina com111only inserted above that of the narrower side. Midvein thin except at its base, not 

prominent. Secondaries thin, numerous, immersed in 

the le~f substance, regularly spaced and subparallel. 

Length from 1 to 2 centimeters; maximum width 

from 5 to 8 millimeters. 

These small leaflets resemble two previously described Wilcox species of Leguminosae-M imosites 

inaequilateralis Berry and 0 aesalpinia wilcoxiana 

Berry. They differ from the first of these species in 

their proportions, being relatively twice as wide, and 

they also show constant differences in outline. They 

differ from the second in their shorter petiolule and 

more inequilateral base and in their venation. 

The uncertainty attending the generic identification of the leaflets of a larger number of species in 

t.his vast alliance precludes dogmatism, but as the 

present fossils are believed to represent a Wilcox 

species belonging to the family Caesal piniaceae, they 

are referred to the form genus Oaesrilpinites. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Bradley pit and 

Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

Caesalpinites mississippiensis Berry 

Plate 39, figure 5 

Oaesalpinites m'issis8'ipP'iensi8 Berry, U. S. G€ol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 91, p. 237, pI. 50, fig. 16, 1916. 

This characteristic small leaflet is confined to the 

eastern shore of the Wilcox embayment, where it is 

never abundant, although it occurs at several widely 

separated localities. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Holly Springs. 

Marshall County, Miss.; Mill Creek, Hardeman 

County, Tenn.; Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 

miles south of McI{enzie, Carroll County, Tenn. 

Gen us CASSIA Linne 

Cassia wilcoxiana Berry 

·Plate 12, figure 7 

Oassia '/,Vilooa:iana Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 230, pI. 50, figs. 2-5, 1916. 

Although the pod figured in this paper is considerably smaller than those that have been referred to 

this species, it probably does not represent a different 

species, for in general outline, character of the margins, and venation it is practically identical with that 

species, as may be seen by comparing it with the 

restoration of that species published in another paper,\)9 

where it is shown one-half natural size. It should be 

noted that the foliage of 0 as8ia wilcoxiatna has not 

been found at Mill Creek, where the foiiage of foul' 

'other species of Oassia is preserved in the clays, and 

it is therefore quite possible that this pod may represent the fruit of one of these species. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn.; La Grange, three-fourths nlile 

northwest of Pa.ttersonville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Cassia fayettensis Berry 

Plate 12, figure 8; Plate 25, figure 22; Plate 39, figure 4; Plate 

46, figures 7, 8; Plate 48, figure 33 

, Oa88'ia faY6ttensi.~ Berry, U. S. Geo!. Survey Pl'of. Paper 91, 

p. 232, pl. 49, figs. 5-8, 1916. 

The leaflets of this species are widely distributed 

'at numerous localities, especially. in beds deposited 

09 U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 231, 1916. 
80 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTER.N STATES 

near the end of the time represented by the Holly 

Springs sand in northern Mississippi and western 

Tennessee. Heretofore these leaflets. were always 

found- in a detached condition. During the field season of 1925 two specimens with attached leaflets were 

found at different localities, which add materially to 

FIGURE 17.-Restoration of a complete leaf 

of Oassia fayettensis Berry 

our know ledge of this species. The first specimen, 

from Mill Creek, shows a terminal and the subjacent 

lnteral leaflet. The terminal leaflet is much larger 

than the lateral and is in fact larger than any known' 

leaflets of this species, having a length of 6 centimeters and a maximum width of 1.9 centimeters. 

Whether this leaflet was abnorIllally large or whether 

the terminal leaflet was normally larger than the lat-· 

erals can not, of course, be determined from a single 

specimen. Evidently the leaf habit was odd pinnate. 

The second specimen, fron1 Puryear, shows parts 

of five attached leaflets, two of which are complete. 

These leaflets are nearly equilateral, ascending, and 

petiolulate on a stout stipe at intervals of 2.25 to 3 

cE:ntimeters. None of them are opposite, and the 

members of some of the pairs are at least a centimeter 

from opposite points. 

From these two specimens and the numerous detached leaflets that have heen discovered, the aCCOlllpanying restoration of a complete leaf has been made. 

(See fig. -17.) The venation .has been omitted from 

the parts restored, and the number of lateral leaflets 

is of course conjectural. They were possibly fewer 

than has been indicated, but be this as it may, the 

restoration probably gives a more complete idea of 

the features of this form than can be obtained in any 

other way. 

No traces of petiolar glands have been detected, and 

the habit also differs from most existing species ·of 

OaJ8sia, which are even pinnate. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, of Wilcox group, 

Lamar and Holly Springs, Miss.; west of Bolivar, 21t4 

miles north of Shandy, Mill Creek, Boli var-J ackson 

road north of Clover Creek, 1 mile northeast. of Cloverport, all in Hardeman County, Tenn.; La Grange, 

Fayette County, Tenn.; Mobile & Ohio Railroad 4 

miles north of Jackson, Madison County, Tenn.; 

Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn.; Grable pit, Puryear, 

and Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn. Grenada 

formation, of Wilcox group, 2.9 miles southwest of 

Somerville, 11h Illiles northeast of Williston, 5 miles 

southwest of Williston, all in Fayette County, Tenn. 

Wilcox formation, Benton, Saline County, Ark.; sec. 

10, T. 14 S., R. 21 W., Nevada County, Ark.; 5 miles 

northeast of Texarkana, Miller County, Ark. 

Cassia robertsi Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 41, figure 7 

Leaflets small, linear, markedly inequilateral, especially at the tip, which is evenly rounded, the termination of the midvein being one-third of the total 

width from one side and two-thirds of the distance 

from the other. The base is rounded, but the two 

sides of the la,n1ina come to a point at the extreme base, 

that of the narrower side being about 0.5 millimeter 

below that of the broader side. Margins entire. Texture subcoriaceous. Petiolule harq,ly more than the 

expanded base of the midvein and about as long as 

wide. Midvein relatively stout, nearly str~.ight, projecting as a slight point beyond the. tip and abruptly 

expanding at the base, relatively prominent on the 
ROSALES 81 

under side of the leaflet. Secondaries relatively stout 

and prominent on the under side, numerous, closely 

spaced, and subparallel; they diverge from the Inidvein at angles between 60° and 65° and are for the 

most part indistinctly camptodrome, forking and 

merging in the camptodrome loops immediately within the margins. 

This is clearly a new type among the numerous 

leguminous leaflets that. have been described from the 

vVilcox. In outline it is nluch like variotis forms that 

have been referred to 0 assia, ~1 i17wsites, 0 aesalpi'l'lfia, 

and Gleclitsiophyllu'll~ but differs in size or relative 

proportions and particularly iIi venation from all of 

these. There is some question of the propriety of 

its reference to 0 assia, most of the Wilcox species of 

which are larger, but it appears to me to differ from 

what I have, perhaps somewhat arbitrarily, considered 

as typi cal in M wnosites, 0 aesalpinia, and GleditsiophyllAt1n and to be Inore like certain existing and fossil 

species in the very large genus Oassia. The differentiation of the leaflets of the Leguminosae is perhaps an insoluble problem, but there is a certain 

advantage in making consistent use of the available 

criteria, especially when all of the vast amount of 

material passes through the hands of a single student, 

as it has in the Wilcox flora, which I believe outweighs 

whatever botanic inconsistency may be present. The 

spec ies is named for the collector. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

I-Ienry County, Tenn. 

Cassia nictitanioides Rerry, n. sp. 

Plate 41, figure 8 

Pods of relatively small size, linear lanceolate, compressed, slightly curved parallel margins, acute apex 

und base, the former with a trace of the style and the 

latter decurring on the stout curved peduncle, which is 

about 4 millimeters in length. The pod itself is about 

3 centimeters in length and 6 millimeters in maximum 

width, faintly transversely veined, slightly thickened 

ma.rgins, apparently not coriaceous and showing no 

contours to indicate the number of contained seeds. 

This pod greatly resembles that of Acuan illinoriensis (l\1ichaux) ICuntze, a modern prairie and river 

bank form found from Indian~ and Minnesota to 

Florida nnd Texas. It is perhaps nlore similar to 

that of Oassia nictitans Linne, a dry-soil herb of the 

eastern U nitec1 States. Both the genera mentioned 

have other rorms of pods, so that but little reliance 

can be placed upon the indicated relationships. 

I-Iowever, the present pod is much like other vVilcox 

pods referred to Oassia with which abundant leaflets 

are nssociated, and as both recent and fossil species of 

this lnl'ge genus have similar pods, it seems more desirable to use the generic term 0 assia rather than the 

vaguer term Legu1ninosites. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 2~ miles north of 

,Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Cassia bolivarensis Berry, n., sp. 

Plate 32, figures 4, 5 

Leaflets small, markedly inequilateral, oblanceolate, 

widest at or a.bove the middle, tapering gradually 

proximad to the markedly inequilateral, broadly or 

narrowly acute base and more abruptly upward to the 

less inequilateral, slightly mucronate tip. Mal:gins 

entire, generally evenly rounded. Texture subcoria-' 

ceous. The narrower leaflets are generally falcate, the 

wider ones are less commonly so. Length about 2.5 

centilheters; maximum width from 6 to 9 millimeters. 

Petiolule short and stout, about 1 millimeter long and 

nearly as thick. Midvein stout and prominent, commonly curved. Secondaries thin and largely immersed; they are numerous and subparallel, diverging 

from the midvein at angles of 70° to 800 , pursuing 

relati vely straight outward courses until the marginal 

region is reached, 'where they are camptod,rome. 

This species is clearly unlike previously described 

Wilcox leguminous leaflets, especially as exemplified 

in the narrower leaflets, such as that shown in Plate 

32, Figure 4. The broader leaflets are less sharply 

distinct in outline but share with the narrower leaflets 

the nunlerous relatively straight, wide-angled secondaries that form one of the characteristic features of 

this species. One may naturally hesitate in accepting Oassia as the true repository of these leaflets, as 

the genus is such a large one, with considerable foliar 

variation, and as so many other genera of the leguminous alliance have similar leaflets. 

Twelve different species from the Wilcox, in addition to the present one, have been referred to Oassia. 

The only one of these that approaches at all closely to 

Oassia bolivarensis is Oassia 1narshallensis Berry 1 

of the middle and possibly also of the upper Wilcox, 

which is uniformly wider, lanceolate rather than oblanceolate, with fewer and slightly more ascending 

secondaries. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar 

IIardeman CQunty, Tenn. 

Cassia puryearensis Berry 

Plate 12, figure 13 

Oa8.~ia 1H(,ryearensis Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 230, pI. 51, figs. 13, 14, 1916, 

The specimen from Mill Creek here figured, although it preserves the general form and venation 

1 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 232, pl. 50, 

figs. 6, 7, 1916. 
82 THE LOWER- EOCENE WILCOX FLORA O_F THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

characteristic of this rather large species, is relatively 

considerably wider. The species is confined to the 

eastern shores of the Mississippi Gulf at several localities near the top of the Hol1y Springs sand ap.d in 

the Grenada formation. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn.; road west of La Grange and La 

Grange, Fayette County, Tenn.; Will Brooks farm, 2.1 

miles northeast of Mercer, ~ladison County, Tenn.; 

Grable pit, Puryear, and· Holcomb property, 2 miles 

south of Paris, Henry County, Tenn.; Bell City Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky. Grenada formation, 

2.9 miles southwest of Somerville, near Moses Hall, 

Fayette County, Tenn.; Cottage Grove, Henry County, 

Tenn. 

Cassia glenni Berry 

Plate 41, figure 13 

Oa.ss'ia glellni Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 233, 

pI.' 45, figs. 15, 16, 17a, 18; pI. 52, fig. 6, 1916. 

The leaflet of this species from the Atkins pit here 

figured shows the observed extreme of variation in 

ovate form, although preserving' the characteristic 

venation and emarginate tip. The species ranges from 

the Holly Springs sand into the Grenada formation 

and as far as known is confined to the eastern shores 

of the Mississippi Gulf, where it is not uncommon, 

although $howing considerable variation in form. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Early Grove and 

Holly Springs, ~1iss.; Mill Creek and Bolivar-Jackson 

road north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, 

Tenn.; 1lh miles west of Grand Junction, half a mile 

s(luth of. Henley's store, La Grange, Fayette County; 

Tenn.; Will Brooks farm, 2.1 miles northwest of Mercer, and Pope farm, 1112 miles north of Mercer, Madison County, Tenn.; Atkins pit, Henry County, Tenn.; 

'Vickliffe, Ballard County, Ky. Grenada formation, 

Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn.; Brinkley place, 

Fayette Corners, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Genus GLE·DITSIA Linne 

Gleditsia? mississippiensis (Berry) Berry 

Plate 50, figures 2-4 

Oassia mi8sissippiensi8 Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 235, pI. 51, figs. 10, 11, 1916. 

Specimens of, pods present in the Holly Springs 

sand and Grenada fornlations of Tennessee and Mississippi were referred to the genus O(J;Ssia in the pre-

, liminary account of the Wilcox flora, largely because 

of the abundance of 0 assia-like leaflets in these deposits and also because similar compressed pods had been 

described as belonging to that genus. 

Additional. materiJl,l and more extended study leads 

to the suggestion that these pods may represent an 

Eocene prototype of the existing Gleditsia. aquatica 

Marsh of the stream bottoms of the lower Mississi ppi 

Valley. ~See pI. 50, figs. 8-10.) 

The pods of Glerlitsia aqua·tica are compressed, a 

somewhat variable oval in outline, with a greater or 

less developed mucronate tip and an abruptly narrowed constricted stalk like base of variable length~ 

generally long but cOlnmonly no longer than in the 

fossil, with the peduncle below the old flower receptacle correspondingly short or long. Usually but a· 

single seed matures and the pod does not dehisce. 

If the fossil pods be compared with the modern the 

same compression and variation in form may be noted; 

the mucronate tip is short or long and similarly situated; the marginal sutures are the same; there is 

the same constricted basal stalk, shorter it is true than 

the average length in the modern pods but exactly 

similar to the one shown in Plate 50, Figure 8; the 

venation and apparently the consistency are the same. 

Moreover, the Wilcox flora contains a variety of leaflets described under the. generic term Gleaitsioplvyllum, several of which are very similar to those of 

Gleditsia and might well represent this species. Flat 

orbicular seeds agreeing in size and shape with those 

of Gleditsia aq1JJatic(J) have been described, and one of 

the beetle wings from the vVilcox belongs to the 8ame 

genus as one which I developed from the pods of 

Gleditsia aquatica. 

It therefore seems to me desirable to remove this 

form from the overlarge genus Oassia and to refer it 

tentatively to the genus Gleditsia. 

Occurrence: The new material is from the Holly 

Springs sand at the Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

Genus GLEDITSIOPHYLLUM Berry 

Gleditsiophyllum eocenicum Berry 

GledUsiophyn1l1n eocen'icul11t Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 91, p. 238, pI. 46, figs. 1-7, 1916. 

In order to give this handsome species more objectivity I have prepared the accompanying illustration of the terminal part of a branch. 

The species appears in the record near the end of 

the deposition of the Holly Springs sand and continues throughout the Grenada formation and its 

equivalents in the western part of the embayment. 

The restoration is based on a considerable number of 

complete leaves which are of rather common occurrence in the clays of the Holly Springs sand ·at Pnryear, Henry County, Tenn. (See fig. 18.) 

Genus HYMENAEA Linne 

Hymenaea eocenica Berry, n. sp. ~ 

Plate 13, figure 1 

Leaves of relatively small or medium size; bifoliate~ 

consisting of two ovate entire-margined leaflets, sessile 
ROSALES 83 

nt the end of a stout petiole about 2 centimeters long. 

Leaflets diverging at angles of about 80°, slightly 

falcate but nearly equilateral except basally, the acute 

base being markedly ineql1ilateral; the lamina on the 

outside decurrent to the top of the petiole, that on 

the inside terminating 2 or 3 millimeters above the 

base and being narrower and more ascending than on 

t he outer side. The leaflets are widest in the median 

region, narrowing almost equally in both directions, 

with narrowly rounded or slightly emarginate tips. 

The texture is subcoriaceous, obscuring the areolation. 

The midribs are stout, prominent on the under side 

and curve slightly upward. The secondaries are thin, 

numerous, subopposite to alternate, rather evenly 

known as locust or copal trees and yield an oleoresin 

known as ani me or copal, much used in the manufacture of varnish and to some extent in perfumery. 

The pods are buoyant and constitute a considerable 

element in the Antillean drift, and it is conceivable 

that the present species reached the Mississippi embayment through the agency of ocean currents, although 

the presence of the genus in our Upper Cretaceous 

may mean that this Eocene species was a descendant 

of some Cretaceous form that dwelt in the same general region. 

, Except for very doubtfully determined forms from 

the European Miocene, the Tennessee species represents the first Tertiary record of the genus.:! 

I?IGUnE 18.-Hestorntion of Gledit8iophyllttm eocenicl£m Berry 

spaced, subparallel, and camptodrome; those on the 

outer sides are more ascending than those on the inner 

sides. 

The present species adds an important element to 

the 'Vilcox flora and one that I expected to find in it 

and have long looked for, because of the presence of 

the genus in the Upper Cretaceous of North America. 

The bifolinte habit characteristic of Hyme,1Ulea is 

shared by certain species in other genera of the leguminous alliance, such as B auhinia, Leucaena, 0 assia, 

Acacia, and Oyn011U3tr(J), but certainly, in typical specimens at least, they are readily distinguished by the ensemble of habit, form, and venation. 

The present form I regard as an undoubted Eocene 

representative of HYl1tenaea, which in modern floras 

comprises about a dozen species of trees confined to 

the American equatorial region. They are popularly 

Fi ve species of H ymena:ea have been recorded from 

.the Upper Cretaceous-three from Europe and two 

from the United States. Some of these are of doubtful identity, ~ut the form from the Tuscaloosa formation of western Alabama appears to be above suspICIOn. 

As the genus never appears to have reached northern 

latitudes it would appear to have originated in the 

American Tropics during Cretaceous time. To what 

. extent it colonized the Old World is problematic, and 

possibly the European forms referred to it should be 

referred to other genera-for example, to B{)JIJ)hinia, 

to which Heel' referred the Swiss form. 

Occurrence: Holly "Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

2 For n sketch of the genus see Berry, E. W., Am. Jour. Sci., 4th 

ser., vol. 47,pp. 65-68, 1919. 
84 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Hymenaea wilcox ian a Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 41, figure 5 

Leaves sn1all, bifoliate, the two inequilateralleaflets 

diverging at angles of about 25° from the stout petiole, which is about 1 centimeter in length. Leaflets 

ovate lanceolate, inequilateral, and slightly falcate, 

widest below the middle, overlapping for about half 

their length on the inside. Tips acute. Margins entire. Texture coriaceous. Midvein stout, prominent 

on the under side. Secondaries numerous, thin, diverging from the midvein at wide angles, camptod rome, mostly immersed in the leaf substance. 

This form adds a second Wilcox species in this interesting genus. It is, of conrse, within the range of 

possibility that the present form represents a small and 

described as Legu1rl-inosites collinsi Berry, which are 

like those of the existing species of 0 ercis and which 

are found at a considerable number of localities in the 

Holly Springs sand. The habit js that of the existing 

redbud, 0 ercis canadensis Linne. 

Family PAPILIONACEAE 

Genus CLADRASTIS Rafinesque 

Cladrastis eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 41, figure 12 

Pods oblong, indehiscent or tardily dehiscent, compressed, slightly constricted between the two or three 

elliptical compressed seeds, abruptly pointed, narrowing to the stout curv.ed peduncle, which is 1.5 centiFIGURE 19.-Restoration of Gerais wilco:viana Berry 

variant leaf of the same botanic species as H Y1nenaea Ineters in length. Pod 4 centimeters long and 1.25 

eocenica Berry, but the two are not at all similar ex- . centimeters in maximum width, rather delicate texcept in their bifoliate habit. Hymenaea wilcowiana is ture, and reticulate venation. This venation is enonly half as large and its leaflets are acute and over- tirely obscured in the illustration by the longitudinal 

lapping, with faint and wide-a.ngled instead of promi- folds of compression. 

nent ascending secondaries. There is a superficial resemblance between these 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Bolivar-J acksoll pods and those few seeded ones of Parkinsonia eocenroad north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. ica Berry, such as are figured in this paper. The 

Genus CERCIS Linne 

Cercis wilcoxiana Berry 

Gerais wilcoa;ialna Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 228, pI. 49, fig. 1, 1916. 

The restoration shown in Figure 19 is based on the 

foliage of 0 ercis wucowiana Berry, a rather rare type 

in the Holly Springs sand, combined with the pods 

Par'kinsonia pods are more slender, conspicuously constricted between the seeds, with prominent margins,. 

coarser venation, acuminate tip, broader base, and 

shorter and more slender peduncle. 

So far as I 'know, this is the first recognition of 

Oladrastis in the fossil record. Menzel 8 described a 

8 Menzel, Paul, K. preuss. gool. Landesanstalt Abh., neue Folge, Heft 

46. p. 86, pl. 6, fig. 14, 1906. 
ROSALES -85 

twig from the Miocene of Germany· which he compared with those of Olad'J'astis a'lnu'J'ensis Bentham of 

Manchuria, but this was not especially conclusive. 

The genus Oladrastis is a most interesting one. At 

the present time it contains but two species of trees, 

one in Japan and Manchuria and the other a somewhat rare form found in the vicinity of upland 

streams in the region between western North Carolina 

and Tennessee River in I(entucky and Tennessee. Although so restricted in its natural range, its beauty 

has caused it to be planted both in this country and 

Europe, and under these conditions it is hardy as far 

north as New England and Ontario. The leaves are 

odd pinnate with rather characteristic leaflets, but no 

lea ves of this type have as yet been recognized as 

fossils. I 

If the existing Asiatic and American forms are 

r.eally related, this in itself indicates a considerable 

unknown Tertiary history. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 21;4 miles north of 

Shandy, lIardeman County, Tenn .. 

clusion-but until such time as intermediate forms are 

discovered good practice demands that they be kept 

separate. 

There is some resemblance to the pods of certain 

oriental species of the genus M ez,oneruron, as, for example, Mez,onewron aummingiaJrlfu/m Fenzler, of the 

Philippines, but as the only American representative 

of this genus is a much larger form from the late 

Tertiary of New Jersey, and as most of the existing 

species have larger and stouter, more inflated pods, I 

place little weight on this similarity. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grove pit, threefourths mile south of Paris, Henry County, Tpnn. 

Dalbergia wilcoxiana Berry 

Plate 48, figure 34 

Dalbe1'gia wiloowialYUL Berry, U. S. Gool. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 246, pI. 53, fig. 7; pI. 54, figs. 1, 2, 1916. 

The chief interest in the specimen figured herewith 

is that it shows the cOIpplete stipe of the leaf, which 

is stout and about 2.5 . centimeters long. The typical 

FIGUHl<~ 20.-Restoratiol1 of Dalbergia 

Genus DALBERGIA Linne son 

Dalbergia attenuata Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 38, figure 1 

Pods relatively long and narrow for this genus, 

lnnceolate falcate, with thickened margins, acute apex 

and base, coriaceous, indehiscent, with a single corri'-

pressed elliptical or reniform seed, finely transverse, 

netted veined. Length 3.5 centimeters; maximum 

width about 1 centimeter. Peduncle short and stout, 

3 to 4 millimeters in length. 

This pod shows considerable resemblance to that 

described 4 as Dalbergia monospermcndJ.es but is less 

thick, narrower, and more elongated and with a correspondingly slender and slightly shorter peduncle. 

It is, of course, possible that the two may represent 

the extremes of variation of a single botanical species-in fact, I regard this as a not improbable con-

'13erry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 246, pI. 54, fig. 

8, 1916. 

leaflet preserved is terminal, showing that the leaf 

habit was odd pinnate, as in the existing species of 

the genus, a fact not previously known for this fossil 

species. Daflbergia is a common type from the Upper 

Cretaceous onward and is widely distributed. It is 

represented in the Wilcox by five nominal species 

based upon both leaflets and characteristic singleseeded pods. The present species is not abundant and 

ha.s been detected at only the following localities, all 

near the top of the Holly Springs sand. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear and At. 

kins pit, Henry County, Tenn.; and Mill Creek, 

IIardeman County, Tenn. 

I have combined in the restoration shown in Figure 

20 a characteristic pod and two types of Dalbergia 

leaflets which are associated toward the top of the 

Holly Springs sand at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

The leaf habit is partly conjectural, as all of the leaflets of both foliar species have been found detached except a single specimen of Dalbergia wilcomiaJna Berry~ 
86 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

which shows that in this species at least the leaves 

were odd pinnate. 

The pods are those described as Dalbergia 1nonospermoides Berry, the leaf on the left is that of Dalbergia wilaoxiana Berry, and that on the right is Dalbe1'gia eoaeniaa Berry. Another species of Dalbergia 

pod is present in the Wilcox, but the association of the 

three nominal species C mentioned at a single outcrop is 

the warrant for considering them to be related. 

Genus SOPHORA Linne 

Sophora mucronata Beny 

Plate 32, figures 1-3; Plate 44, figure 24 

Bophora mucronata Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91. 

p. 244, pI. 52, fig. 4, 1916. . 

This species, known only from the Puryear locality 

in 1916, has now been found at several additional localities, and several leaflets are figured in the present 

report to illustrate its variations. These leaflets show 

considerable variation in both size and form. The tip 

may be evenly rounded or more or less narrowed, and 

the same variations are seen ~n the base. The leaflet 

may be widest medianly or below the middle; thepetiolule varies considerably in length, and the only constant feature is the conspicuously mucronate apex. 

Dimensions range from 4 to 6.5 centimeters in length 

and from 1.4 to 2.5 centimeters in maximum width. 

As far as known this species IS confined to the upper 

part of the Holly Springs sand of the eastern shore 

of the Wilcox embayment. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of B.olivar, 

Hardeman County, Tenn.; Grable pit and Puryear, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

Genus CANAVALIA Adanson 

Canavalia eocenica Berry 

PIa te 32, figure 12 

Oanavalia eocenica Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof.· Paper 91, 

p. 248, pI. 53, figs. 3-6, .1916. 

This characteristic form has been rather completely 

described and illustrated. Leaflets are not uncommon in the Wilcox, but no complete trifolia~e leaves, 

such as were fOl'lnerly collected at the Puryear locality, have been encountered. The leaflet here figured, from the Holly Springs sand at La Grange, 

Tenn., ~s relatively narrower and longer than the 

average but shows the same short expanded petiolule 

and characteristic venation. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Grenada, Miss. 

Holly Springs sand, Holly Springs, Miss.; west of 

Bolivar and Bolivar-Jackson road north of Clover 

Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn.; three-quarters of a 

mile northwest of Pattersonville and at La Grange, 

both in Fayette County, Tenn.; Jim Tomphson farm, 

3~ miles northeast of Jackson, Madison County, 

Tenn.; 1 mile west of Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.; 

ThOlnpson & Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn.; Puryear and Atkins 

pits, Henry County, Tenn. Wilcox formation, 

T. 14 S., R. 21 W., Nevada County, Ark.; 10 miles 

southwest of Palestine, Anderson County, Tex. Carrizo sandstone, 5 miles west of La Pryor , Zavala 

County, Tex.; Carrizo Springs, Dimmit County, Tex. 

Canavalia acuminata Berry 

Plate 12, figure 5; Plate 27, figure 1; Plate 32, figure 11 

OanavaHa aouminata Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 249, pI. 110, figs. 4, 5, 1916. . 

This species is known from only detached leaflets 

and is less certainly identified than 0 anavalia eoaeniaa 

Berry. It has not been found along the western 

shores of the Mississippi embayment nor at a horizon younger than the Holly Springs sand. It has 

been detected at a. considerable number of localities 

along the eastern shore of the embayment, and the 

specimens figured herewith add considerably to our 

knowledge of its limits of variation and show the expanded petiolules which ally it to 0 anavalia eoaenica. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Early Grove, 

l\1iss., west of Bolivar and Mill Creek, Hardeman 

. County; Tenn.; one-fourth mile northwest of Smyrna 

Church, three-fourths mile northwest of Pattersonville, and road west of La Grange, Fayette County, 

Tenn.; Will Brooks farm, 2.1 miles northwest of Mcrcer, l\fadison County, Te·nn.; and Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

LEGUMINOSAE OF UNCERTAIN POSITION 

Genus LEGUMINOSITES Bowerbank 

Leguminosites drepanocarpoides Berry, n. sp •. 

Plate 12, figures 11, 12 

Leaflets small, triangular in general outline, sessile, 

with an acute, rather straight-sided tip, rounded lower 

la teral margins, and broadly truncated base. Margins entire. Texture thin, apparently stiff. Length 

about 2 centimeters. Maximum width about 1.5 centimeters. Approximately equilateral throughout. Mid-

. vein inordinately stout and prominent to the extreme 0 

tip. Secondaries not especially thin but not at all 

prominent, five or six pairs diverging from the midvein at wide angles, the basal ones thicker, more 

widely spaced and more curved; all camptodrome. 

External tertiaries· forming intramarginal arches. 

Internal tertiaries as shown in the enlarged figure. 

Areolation of thin veinlets forming isodiametric 

polygonal meshes. 

This fOrIn is a unique and 'characteristic leaflet, entirely distinct from any hitherto described from this 

or any other geologic horizon so far as known. It ap-
LEGUMINOSITES 87 

pears to represent n. leguminous leaflet, but its generic 

afl1nity is uncertain, and it is therefore referred to the 

form genus Legwmino8ites and named from its resemblance to the leaflets of the existing South American 

species D'I'epanocarl)US fe'l'oW l\lartius. 

The genus DrepanoCa'l'pLt8 Meyer, with which the 

fossil is compared, comprises about a dozen existing 

species of trees 01' high-climbing shrubs found from 

southern J\lIexico to the Amazon basin and a single 

species in tropical "Vest Africa. Fossil species have 

been recorded from France 5 and Italy 6 and a third 

from the Pliocene of Bolivia.7 The Italian material 

represents both pods and leaflets and comes from the 

upper part of the luiddle Eocene. 

Occurrence: I-Iolly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2lj2 

miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites hoffmanseggiaformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 41, figure 9 

P~ds small, stipitate, ~vate, compressed, widest 

medlanly, about equally pOInted at the apex and base. 

Length about 1 centimeter; maximum width about 4.25 

millimeters. Peduncle with persistent calyx 3 millimeters in length. Surface finely cross veined. 

These small pods are identical with those of some 

species of the genus H otlmanseggia Cavanilles, but as 

these vary considerably throughout the genus, not 

much: reliance can be placed upon this resemblance. 

'"1"'he genus contains about 20 existing species of herbs 

and low shrubs, of which all but two African forms 

are western American, from n::ansas to PataO"onia b , and 

hugely in arid or semiarid situations. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, wes't of Bolivar, 

Hardenutn County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites astragaliformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 39, figure 6 

Pods inflated, tardily or not at all dehiscent, prolate 

spheroidal in shape, rounded at both ends, diameter 

slightly greater below the middle, approximately circular in cross section, about 3 centimeters in length and 

1.5 centimeters in diameter. l\1n.rgins thickened. Substance of considerable consistency, intricately reticulate veined. 

There is no certainty regarding the true o-eneric affinity of these pods. They are named frOl~ their resemblance to the pods of the large modern herbaceous 

genus Ast'l'agaZus, but of course they may not represent 

that genus. 

5 SIIPOl'tfl, Gaston de, Etudes sur 1ft vegetation du sud-est de Ia 

Fl'lI11Ce it l'epoqllc tertlah'e, vol. 2, pt. 1, p. 130, pI. 8, fig. 4. 

o Ungc\', IJ'ruuz, K. Akad. Wiss. [Wlen] SitzungsIJer., Band 18, p. 31, 

p1. 1, fig. 2 (1.855), 1856. 

7 Bcrry, E. W., U. S. Nat. Mus. Pl'oc., vol. 54, p. 149, pI. 17, figs 

10, 11., 1917. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 1 mile west of 

l\'Iilan, Gibson County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites ingafructoides Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 13, figure 8; Plate 29, figure 1 

Pods relatively large, compressed, linear, somewhat 

falcate, abruptly and somewhat inequilaterally pointed 

at both ends, of a coriaceous o~ woody consistency. 

The complete length is not preserved but appears to 

have been about 20 centimeters; the maximum width 

is about 3 centimeters. The margins are prominent, 4 

or 5 millimeters wide, and longitudinally wrinkled or 

striate. The pods are slightly arched over the cavity 

and contained about 22 seeds, which were apparently 

transversely elongate elliptical in outline. The walls 

are transversely depressed between the seeds, forming 

shallow slightly oblique transverse furrows and the " , surface is slightly and obliquely wrinkled. The pods 

were tardily or not at all dehiscent. 

These pods, of which the "most complete is figured, 

are characteristic objects, quite unlike any previom:;ly 

known from the Wilcox. It is of course generally impossible to correctly allocate the detached pods of the 

Leguminosae, and the present species is therefore refE-rred to the form genus Legwminosites. 

In looking over the leguminous genera that are represented by foliage in the Wilcox it appears that these 

pods may be, at least tentativ~ly, correlated with the 

genus I nga, foliage of four species of which has been 

. recognized in the Wilcox. There are, of course, luany 

other leguminous genera with comparable pods-'-for 

example, I have pods of a recent species of the genus 

Delonim that are very similar to these fossil podsand there are many other genera that might be mentioned. 

I have indicated my belief as to the relationship of 

these fossil pods in the specific name proposed for 

them. 

Among the pods of recent species of I nga with 

which they have been compared the fossils are identical with those of j nga leptoloba Schlechtendahl, in 

size, form, Inargins, consistency, seed, and surface 

markings, and I am strongly of the opinion that the 

fossil species represents the fruit of an Eocene species 

of the genus I nga. 

I nga leptoloba belongs to the series Gymnopodae of 

the genus Inga and is an inhabitant of Mexico. 

Occurrence: I-Iolly Springs sand, l\1ill Creek and 

Bolivar, west of Hospital, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites andiraformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 13, figures 4, 5; Plate 22, figure 8 

Supposed leaflets elliptical or elliptical ovate," relatively large, widest at or below the middle, about 
88 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

equally rounded at the apex and base; approximately 

equilateral but invariably with stronger venation in 

one-half of the lamina, and as far as the small amount 

of material shows it is always the same half that has 

the fainter venation. Margins entire, slightly undulate in some specimens. Length uniformly slightly 

under '7 centimeters in the material collected; maximum width from 3.95 to 4.25 centimeters. Petlolule 

short and stout, absent in some specimens. Midvein 

stout and prominent, in some specimens slightly 

curved. Secondaries medium stout on one side, thin 

on the other; seven or eight opposite to alternate pairs, 

'at irregular intervals, diverging from the midvein at 

angles of about 450 or slightly more, usually regularly 

curved upward and subparallel, camptodroine. Ex~ 

ternal tertiaries forming faint intramarginal arches. 

Internal tertiaries thin and prevailingly p~rcurrent. 

Areolation obscure. 

This well-marked form is perfectly distinct from 

previously described species. Its leaflet character is 

somewhat in doubt, and it is referred to the Leguminosae with some hesitation and for the reason that it 

resembles the leaflets of various existing species of that 

alliance more closely than it does any other forms with 

which it has been compared. Its botanical position 

in that alliance is uncertain, and it is therefore referred to the form genus Legu1ninosites and named 

from its resemblance to several existing South American species of the genus Andira. 

Andira Lamarck is a genus of the Dalbergieae com- . 

prising more than a score of existing species of trees, 

all of which are confined to tropical America except 

two African species. A doubtfully determined fossil 

species has- been recorded from the Oligocene of 

France. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, road west of La 

Grange, three-quarters of a mile northwest of Pattersonville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites robertsi Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 27, figure 2 

Leaflets ovate, markedly inequilateral throughout, 

widest Inedianly and about equally pointed at thB 

apex and base, sessile. Margins entire. Texture coriaceous. Length about 2 centimeters or slightly .more; 

inaximum width about 1 centimeter, the lamina'on one 

side three times wider than on the other. Midvein 

stout, curved. Secondaries in the wider side diverging from the mid vein at acute angles, their courses 

parallel with the lower lateral margin, camptodrome 

or forking to form camptodrome loops; in the narrower side the veins are thin and no secondaries are 

differentiated. The areolation is lnostly obsolete In 

the substance of the relatively thick lamina. 

This small form is strikingly different from the 

previously known and rather numerous leaflets of the 

Leguminosae known from the Wilcox and shows a 

resemblance to the leaflets of several unrelated genera 

of this alliance. It suggests comparisons with certain 

species of the very large genus 0 assia, as well as certain small forms of B aJUhvnJia, as well as other genera 

that it does not seem worth while to mention. As a 

decision with regard to its relationship is impossible 

it is referred to the fOfln genus Le,fJ1.t1ninosites and 

named for one of the collectors-Prof. J. IC Roberts, 

of the University of Virginia. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, in Fayette 

County, 1 mile southwest of Grand Junction, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites pongamioides Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 32, figure 6 

Legume small, compressed, lanceolate, long pedunculate, inequilateral, mucronate pointed, about 1.8 centimeters in length and 6 millimeters in maximum width. 

wide 'margined and faintly reticulate veined. Peduncle stout, curved, about 6 millimeters in length. 

The number of seeds is problematic. 

The botanic affinities of this small pod other than 

that it represents some Wilcox member of the Legunlinosae, are entirely problematic. Its specific ·name 

indicates a resemblance to the oriental genus Pongamia 

Ventenat, but this is without significance, as similar 

pods occur in a great variety of genera. It shows considerable resemblance to the extinct genus Micropodium of the French Oligocene, referred by Saporta 

to the Caesalpiniaceae. . 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

.Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites shandyensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 13, figure 3 

Small compressed subelliptical pods, about 10 or 11 

millimeters in length and 5 or 6 millimeters in width, 

of thin texture and with slight traces of transverse 

inosculating veins. No trace of a peduncle. Certain 

markings indicate 'that these pods contained two thin 

circular seeds. The affinity of these pods is conjectural. If the seeds were single and more inflated thl) 

form might be compared with the Tertiary genus 

Podogonium of Heel', but such a relationship is decidedly not indicated by the characters that are available. Pending further evidence it is referred to the 

form genus Legruminosites. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 214. miles north 

of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 
J.JEGUMINOSITES 1189 

o Lcguminosites collinsi Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 13, figures 6, 7; Plate 22, figm'e 5; Plate 41, figure 20 

Flattened pods of medium size, indehiscent or tardily dehiscent, rather abruptly pointed at both ends, 

. almost linear in form or more or less torulose and 

constricted between the flat elliptical seeds. The margins are narrow, cthe surface is transversely netted 

,'eined, and the consistency was not at all woody, the 

but slightly arched lateral walls appearing to have 

been thin. All the specimens are fragmentary but 

indicate that these pods were three or four seeded. In 

some of the specimens there appears to have been a 

partition between the seeds, but this may be due to 

ferruginous infiltration. I believe that I am correct 

in associating the two types figured in a single botanic 

species. Those that are nearly linear in form have 

slight sinuses between the seeds, and the two extremes 

nre alike in texture, venation, size, and character of 

the margin. 

The systematic position among the leguminous families is conjectural, but they are markedly distinct 

from the rather numerous leguminous pods that have 

been discovered in the 'Vilcox. They are named for 

the collector. Among the pods of existinO' species . b 

thell' resemblance to those of lIfi'l7ws(J) sepi(fff'ia Bentham, a Brazilian species, is noteworthy. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, west 

of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.; three-fourths 

mile northwest of Pattersonville, Fayette County" 

Tenn. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry 

County, Tenn.; 4%, miles southwest of Williston 

Fayette County, Tenn. ' 

Legumil10sites hardemancnsis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 14, figure 1 

This well-marked seed of some leguminous plant is 

perfectly characteristic and entirely unlike anything 

previously described from the 'Vilcox group. It is 

at the same time impossible to arrive at a correct 

botanic determination, for very many members of this 

large alliance have seeds similar to the fossil. It is 

modcrately compressed, elliptical in outline, evenly 

rounded, with a smooth surface, slightly mucronate at 

the chalazal end, the point being slightly inequilateral, 

and with a narrow shelf-like margin around the borelCl'. Length 12.5 millimeters; maximum width 8 milIi meters.; thickness 2.5 millimeters. It might readily 

nppertaul to several of the leguminous species from 

the "Tjlcox that are based on foliar remains. 

Occul'rence: I-Iolly Springs sand, Young farm, 

northwest of Shandy, I-Iardeman County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites at'achioides minor Berry, n. var. 

PIa te 14, figures 2-6 

This variety, which is very abundant at certain horizons in the Eastern Gulf region, is more slender, consistently smaller, and never more than half the diameter of the type. The longitudinal ornamentation is 

also 1110re pronounced. 

Attention should perhaps be called to the resemblance between these objects and what Heel' 8 called 

Nyssa arctiea, although I doubt if there is any botanic 

relationship between the two. The modern species 

Nyssa sylvatica and N. biflora sometimes have the 

fruit in pairs, but most members of the genus do not, 

and it is very doubtful if the stones would be fossilized 

in pairs even' when they developed that way. The 

present species occurs in the Denver formation of 

Colorado. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, big cut at Pine 

Top, gully along Old State Line road, and Young 

farm northwest of Shandy, all in Hardeman County, 

Tenn. 

Leguminosites chesterensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 14, figures 7-10 

These very characteristic fruits are entirely new 

and readily recognizable. They are exceedingly common in the lignite band at the outcrop on the Taylor 

farm. Their botanic affinity is uncertain, but their 

solid condition in section indicates that they represent 

seeds, rather than stones, nutlets, or capsules, and the 

most logical comparison seems to be with seeds of the 

leguminous alliance. They are therefore referred to 

the form genus LegWlnmosites. 

They may be described as follows: Seeds of relatively large size, nearly circular in outline, somewhat' 

variable in size, not greatly flattened during fossilization (carbonization) -th at is, lenticular in life. 

l-lilum marginal. The largest are 1.5 centimeters, and 

the smallest 8 millimeters in diameter; a larO'e number 

of specimens average about 1 centimeter in b diameter. 

They are thickest in the center and thin toward the 

periphery, measuring about 3 millimeters in maximum 

thickness, and were obviously but slightly compressed 

during carbonization. 

It appears profitless to attempt comparisons between these fossijs and existing leguminous lenticular 

seeds in which there is a large amount of parallelism. 

They are about the same size- and form as the fruits 

of Pa'li'l.t1"'us found in the Wilcox but differ in the marginal instead of central hilum and in ornamentation. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Silerton road, 

Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites emarginatus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figure 3 

This small unique form appears to be a leguminous 

leaflet, but in the absence of any certain relationship 

to existing genera with comparable leaflets it is 1'e8 Reer, Oswald, Flora fossilis nrctica, Band 4, pI. 19, figs. 1-10, 1877. 
90 THE LOWER EOCENE" WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTER.N STATES 

ferred to the form genus Lequ'Ininosites. There is 

the further possibility that it may represent a bract 

of some kind, or the united stipules of a leaf in which 

the lamina had disappeared, or a phyllode, but the 

first is regarded as the more probable. It may be 

characterized as follows: 

Leaflets small, obcordate, widest across the rounded 

ears, narrowing rapidly" to the cuneate base, the lateral margins being nearly straight. Texture delicate. 

;Length about 1.4 centimeters; maximum width 1.2 centimeters. Apparently sessile. Midvein relatively very 

stout. Laterals diverging at acute angles; the outermost parallel with the margin, which forms an angle 

of less than 30° with the midvein; the inner parallel 

with the mid vein; the intermediates forking; their 

tips connected by loops along the rounded margins of 

the ears; they are also connected by thin transverse 

tertiaries. 

This leaflet is a characteristic form, readily recognizable. Similar leaflets have been referred to a variety of genera of the leguminous alliance, but I can see 

no basis for arriving at any definite conclusions. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Will" Brooks farm, 

2.1 miles northwest of Mercer, Madison County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites monospermoides Berry, 11. sp. 

Plate 25, figure 15; Plate 49, figure 18 

Pods small and delicate, much compressed, falcate, 

with a single flat obovate seed. The pods, of which 

three specimens were collected, are about 1.25 centimeters long, widest medianly, where they reach a 

width of 3 to 4 millimeters, tapering about equally to 

the acute tip and base, the base decurring to a slender 

curved peduncle about 2.5 millimeters in length. The 

walls are delicately reticulate veined. The margins 

are slightly thickened. 

As three identical specimens were collected, the 

forms figured may be considered to be normal for the 

species. One of the specimens lies partly across a 

leaflet of Mimosites var"iabilis Berry, but this may be 

entirely a chance aSSiociation, and the precise botanic 

affinity of these pods remains uncertain. That they 

represent some leguminous form can scarcely be 

doubted, and their characteristic form makes them 

readily recognizable. " 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites contOl'tus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 32 

Pod linear, compressed, contorted, small, incompletely preserved, with stout ventral margin. Length 

and outline unknown; width about 4 millimeters. The 

seeds are widely spaced, small and round, about 2 millimeters in diameter, with conspicuous stalks. ' Venation 

inconspicuous, transverse. 

There are a large number of Leguminosae, particularly among the herbaceous forms, which have pods 

similar to this fossil pod. Other than its reference to 

this alliance its botanic affinity is not determinable. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation~ Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites panduriformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 7 

The occasional assumption of an emarginate and 

laterally constricted form by leaves which are normally 

more or less elliptical, as, for example, in Robinia ap.d 

Gleditsia, leads me to assume t.hat this unique specimen is an abnormal leaflet of one of the species whose 

normal leaflets "are more abundantly represented at 

this outcrop. In its size, texture, and venation it is 

so like the smaller leaflets of the very abundant 80'-

ph-ora; wilcoanana Berry that I believe it to represent 

an abnormal leaflet of that species. However, as it is 

so different from the normal outline of that species 

and the two can not be positively connected, I am 

forced to give it a distinctive name. 

It may be characterized as follows: Leaflet slightly 

inequilateral, elliptical, with a" rounded base, prominently emarginate at the tip. A constriction of each 

side of the lamina one-third to one-fourth of the distance from the apex to the base forms a shorter distal 

and a larger proximal rounded lobe. It is practically 

sessile, but as the insertion of the lamina on one side 

is about a millimeter higher than on the other, it may 

be said to have a very short petiolule, especially as the 

proximal end of the mid vein is expanded. The midvein is stout and prominent. The secondaries are thin, 

diverging from the midvein at angles of about 45°, 

and camptodrome. The texture agrees with that of 

Sophora wilcowia;nu;, and the tertiary venation is chara,cteristic of this alliance and largely obsolete by immersion in the leaf substance. Only the single specimen figured is known. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites phyllocarpoides Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 43, figures 4-6 

Pods large, compressed, tardily dehiscent, elongate 

elliptical, narrowing proximad to a stout peduncle. 

A small recurved mucronate point distad toward the 

ventral side. Texture subcoriaceous. A stout marginal hem present. Length about 12 centimeters; 

width about 4 to 4.75 centimeters. Margins subparallel, in one specimen (pI. 43, fig. 5) with a slight constriction in the upper part. Seeds large, transversely 

elliptical, compressed seven or eight in number. 
GERANIALES 91 

Venatio!l of .an irregular, transverse, reticulate 

character. 

It would seem that such characteristic-looking pods 

as these could be readily allocated among the recent 

Leguminosro, but such has not proyed to be the case. 

I have examined much recent material without conclusive results and have therefore referred the fossils 

to the form genus Le{jrUJminosites. The specific name 

is given in allusion to their resemblance to' what I 

take to be the pods of P hylloccurpus, although I am 

not certain of this determination. 

P1IIJjllocCllrp1Jl8 is a recently described monotypic 

genus of the Caesalphiniaceae from Guatemala,o and 

the comparison may be illusory. The general shape 

is the same and the peculiar venation net of thin and 

thiclt veinlets is also similar. 

Whatever the botanic affinity of the fossil pods they 

constitute a striking and r.eadily recognizable element 

iu the flora of the Holly Springs sand. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn.; Jim Tomphson farm 3~ miles northenst of Jackson, Madison County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites copaiferanus Berry, n. sp; 

Plate 45" figure 16 

Pods indehiscent or tardily dehiscent, relatively 

small, unsymmetrically ovate, much compressed, recurved, acute at the apex, stontly pedunculate at the 

base, with a single large seed. Length about 2 centim.eters, of which about 3 millimeters is stalk; maximum width about 8 millimeters. Surface finely reticulate veined. The ventral margin is less inflated than 

the dorsal and bears a mucronate point about a millimeter below' the larger apical point of the pod. The 

seed is anatropous, 13.5 millimeters long. and ~bout 

0.5 millimeters in maximum width, oval and compressed, thickest in the lower or chalazal end. 

This characteristic pod is of uncertain relationship. 

I was at first inclined to compare it with the capsules 

of Oonncuru8, to which there is a striking similarity iIi 

outline. In Oowna?"Us, however, the capsules are much 

inflated and ligneous and lack the netted venation of 

t.he fossil. After an extended search among recent 

carpologic material I have come back to the Leguminosae as the more probable group to which the fossil 

should be referred. In this alliance the family Papilionaceae must be excluded from comparisons because 

of the amphitropolls character of the ovules .. I have 

by no means seen the fruit of all the existing forms 

of l\1imosaceae or Caesalpiniaceae, and I have therefore referred the fossil to the fornl genus Legwminosites, giving it the specific name of copaiferanus in 

allusion to its possible relationship to the genus Oopaio Smith, .T. n., Bot. Gnzette, vol. 55, p. 433, 1913. 

ferra of the Caesalpiniaceae. Undoubted fruits of 

Oopaifera are present u.s early as the middle Eocene 

(Clu.iborne) of Texas, and several have been recorded 

from both America and Europe at later horizons. 

The fossil is more delicate than any Oopaifera pods 

that I have seen, nor have I observed the double point 

in any recent material. Leaflets doubtfully referred 

to Oopaifera are recorded from the 'Vilcox in the 

present report, and these may be related to the pods in 

question, hut as both are inconclusive, neither can be 

said to strengthen the determination of the o1)her. 

Two specimens of the pods ha ve been collected. 

These are beantifully preserved in a· fine-grained 

clay and show the details enumerated above with 

great fidelity .. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Leguminosites sp. 

Plate 48, figures 1, 2 

This snlall leguminous leaflet is sessile, inequilateral, emarginate, with a few wide-angled camptodrome secondaries. It is only 1.3 centimeters in 

length and 7 millimeters in maximum width. An attempt to describe it in greater detail does not seem 

worth while. 

The affinities seem conclusively leguminous, but as 

this alliance is so prolific in the Wilcox, and as there 

are several described species of Sophora, PithecoZobium, Oassia, and other genera which might well have 

had occasional anomalous leaflets of this character, it 

is by no means certain that this form represents a 

distinct species, although from the present material 

it is not possible to definitely correlate it with any of 

the previously described forms. 

Occurrence : Near the top of the Holly Springs 

sand at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

Order GERANIALES 

Family RUTACEAE 

Gen·us CITROPRYLLUM Berry 

Citrophyllum bifoliolatum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figure 15 

Leaves palmately compound of two or more somewhat falcate, markedly inequilateral leaflets. Leaflets small, unequal in size in the single specllnen seen, 

which is also bifoliate but may be unique in this 

respect. Ovate-Ianceolate, widest below the middle, 

acute at both ends but more narrowed distad. Margins finely but conspicuously denticulate, becoming 

entire proximad. Texture relatively coriaceous, obviously punctate. Length from 2.25 to 3.25 centimeters; maximum width from 6 to 10 millimeters. 
92 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Midvein stout, prominent, curved. Secondaries few, 

widely spaced, immersed. Four or five pairs broadly 

and evenly curved in the wider side of the lamina, 

which is the distal portion with respect to the whole 

leaf, more ascending in the narrower side of the 

lamina, camptodrome. Tertiaries obsolete. The two 

leaflets preserved in union are without petiolules and 

diverge from one another at a wide angle. Possibly 

the nornlal leaf of this species may have been trifoliate like the leaves of numerous existing Rutaceae. 

This genus is an interesting one. The species previously referred to it have been characteristic simple 

leaves of 13irger size with alate petioles, but both 

simple and compound leaves occur in the existing 

Uitrinae; in fact the alate petioles of the simple 

forms are supposed to be vestiges of a compound ancestral type, so that I can see no objection to referring 

the present species to the form genus Oitrophyllium, 

which evidently represents ancestral forms of the 

Citrina~. 

The punctate character .of the present. species is a 

further corroboration of such a relationship. The 

genus appears in the Upper Cretaceous of southeastern and western North America, contains a second 

Wilcox species and a fourth well-marked species in 

the middle Eocene (Claiborne) of this region. A 

fifth fossil species from the Pliocene of Brazil has 

also been referred to this genus. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, about 1 mile north 

of Somerville, and north of Loosahatchie River, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Genus RUTAPHYLLUM Berry, n. gen. 

This generic term is proposed for leaves belonging 

to the family Rutaceae but of uncertain generic 

affinity. The type and only known species, described 

below, will give the generic characters in so far as they 

are known at present. 

Rutaphyllum trifoliatum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 42, figure 3 

Leaves trifoliate, relatively small, long petioled. 

Petiole stout, expanded at the base, about 2.5 centimeters long. Terminal leaflet lanceolate, somewhat 

larger than the lateral leaflets, about 5 centimeters in 

length, and about 1.25 centimeters in maximum width, 

which is midway between the apex and the base; 

shortly petiolulate, approximately equilateral. Lateral leaflets lanceolate, practically sessile but slightly 

01' considerably inequilateral at the base, about 3.75 

centimeters in length by 1 centimeter or slightly less 

in maximum width. Midveins all stout and relatively 

prominent. Secondaries thin and widely spaced, ascending, and somewhat variably camptodrome. It is 

difficult to be certain about the texture, but it seems 

to have been subcoriaceous. The surface of the fossil 

is covered with regularly spaced tiny papillae of the 

clay matrix, which is interpreted as meaning that the 

lea ves in life were punctate, the matrix being adherent and possibly slightly different in juxtaposition 

with each glandular punctation. The margins are 

entire in the specimen, but the variability in the endings of the secondaries suggests that it may have been 

feebly toothed in some specimens, just as so many of 

the existing Rutaceae are individually variable with 

respect to this feature. 

It is most unfortunate that the single incomplete 

specimen figured is the only one that has been discovered. 'Vith more a.bundant and complete material 

it lnight be possible to correlate it with an existing 

genus. 

The presence of characteristic fruits of Ptelea in 

the Wilcox at once suggested that genus. Although 

the leaf may represent the same botanic species as the 

fruit, it was deemed that such robust fruits should 

exhibit some correlation with the leaves, because there 

seems to be a direct relationship between fruits, leaves, 

and habitat among the existing species of Ptele:a. Of 

course with but a single specimen known, one can not 

say whether the leaf represents the norm of the fossil 

species or a reduced variable, so that possibly the present form should be referred to Ptelea. On the other 

hand, the fossil is actually much more simila.r to the 

leaves of H elietta Tulasne, especially H eUetta parvifolia; Bentham, a slender tree of the lower Rio Grande 

Valley and southward on the calcareous ridges of the 

Sierra Madre. The genus, with four or five existing 

species, ranges from Texas to Brazil and Paraguay. 

I was at first disposed to refer the fossil directly to 

H elietta, but in view of the considerations mentioned 

it, seems better to adopt a more conservative course, 

at least until more and better material becomes available. 

l Occurrence: Grenada formation, about 1 mile north 

of Somerville and north of Loosahatchie River, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Genus PTELEA Linne 

Ptelea eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 41, figure 4 

Fruit rather large, compressed, indehiscent, with a 

broad circumferential reticulated wing. Outline suborbicular, slightly emarginate distad, otherwise entire 

margined. Length 2.25 centimeters; maximum width 

2 centimeters. Peduncle stout, tapering downward 5 

millimeters ln length. The samara is fusiform in outline but greatly compressed. about midway between 

the apex and base of the winged border, about 1.5 

centimeters long and 6 millimeters wide. The number 
GERANIALES 93 

of cells can not be made out. The winged border is 

thin and scarious, with rather intricately reticulate 

veins, and these pass over the surface of the samara 

without thickening. These veins are thinner and less 

l'egular in pattern than in the fruits of the existing 

Ptelea trifoliata Linne. 

There can be no doubt regarding the identity of 

these fruits, which in all their features are identical 

with the fruits of the existing species, especially with 

those of our familiar arbore.scent form, from which 

they differ merely in a slightly larger size and somewhat finer venation. 

The presence of this genus in the 'Vilcox is of great 

interest, as the only other fossil species knov{n from 

North America, which is based upon leaves, is from 

the l\1iocene of Florissant, Colo. The Wilcox form is 

also the oldest authentic occurrence of the genus. 

The genus is confined to North America at the present time and, I am inclined to think, had an exclusively 

American history. In the modern flora they are 

shrubs Or small trees which, with the exception of 

Plelea t'l'iloZiata, whose range is from New York to 

Minnesota and southward to Florida, Texas, and New 

l\-fexico, are found in the broken country of the southwestern United States to southern Mexico (Oaxaca). 

The last are exceedingly variable, mostly shrubby 

for111s whose systematic limits al'e very differently conceived. As conceived by Bentham, Gray, Sargent, and 

'Vilson (North American flora) the existing species 

are 3 to 5 in number. Greene,9a. on the other hand, 

has described 59 species. 

Uegarding the geologic history of the genus, 8 or 9 

llGminal species have been· described. These species 

merit a critical enumeration, for they are, in my judgment, exceedingly misleading. Heer 9b in 1883 described Ptelea OJrctica from the early Tertiary of western Greenland. This species was based on a single 

isolated leaflet, not especially like the modern leaflets 

nnd absolutely worthless as evidence of the presence of 

the genus Ptelea in the Arctic. This same author also 

described two species from the Miocene of Switzerlanc1,oc one of which was recorded from the Oligocene 

{) nd the other from the Pliocene of northern Italy by 

Peola. These were also both based upon single detached and not convincing leaflets and are without any 

scientific value as evidence of the presence of the genus 

in the Tertiary of Europe. 

Three species have been recorded from the European 

Tertiary and are based upon fossil fruits. These are 

Pt'elea inter media and Ptelea 1nim'oaarpa, described by 

On Grcene. E. L .• Contr. U. S. Nat. Herbarium, vol. 10, pt. 2, 1906. 

Ob Hecr, Oswald, Flora fossilis IlL'ctlca, Band 7, p. 135, pI. 91, !lg. 8, 

1883. 

Dc Heel', Oswald, Flora tertia ria Helvetlae, Band 3, p. 86, pI. 127, figs. 

37, 38, 1859. 

63757-30--7 

Ettingshause~ 10 from the lower Miocene (Aquatanian) 

of Sagor in Carniola, and Pte lea mac:roptera Kovats 11 

f1'0111 the late Miocene of Hungary. Although the last 

species has also been mentioned by Stur and Unger, 

all three, so far as can be judged by their illustrations, 

are not conclusive; Ettingshausen's forms in particular look more like Dodonaea than they do like Ptelea. 

Finally l\tlarty 12 has described both leaves and fruits 

of what he calls Ptelea pagesi from the late Miocene 

(Pontian) of the Cantal in central France. This species is the most convinci~g of the European records, 

but the illustrations are not conclusively c~nvincing. 

Although I would hesitate to repudiate all these 

European records without an opportunity to see the 

specimens upon which the determinations rest, I think 

that until more conclusive ~vidence is brought forward botanists are justified in retaining great doubt 

regarding Ptelea ever having bee~ a member of the 

European. Tertiary flora. So many existing North 

American plants are conclusively known to be present 

in the European Tertiary that it would not be at all 

unusual for Pte lea to have been one of that large 

number, but the extant evidence that such was the case 

is not conclusive. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, in Fayette County, 

l:IU miles southwest of Grand Junction, Hardeman 

County, Tenn. 

Family SIMAR UBACEAE 

Simaruba eocenica Berry 

Plate 22, figure 7; Plate 29, figure 6 

Simaruba eocenica. Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 252, pl. 54, fig. 7, 1916. 

This species, sparingly represented by leaflets, is 

,known only from the middle and upper parts of the 

Holly Springs sand in Tennessee. The occasion for 

attempting a restoration of the complete leaf was the 

finding of the specimen figured on Plate 22, showing 

the three terminal leaflets of an odd-pinnate leaf. The 

habit is that of Simaruba glauca De Candolle and 

other existing species of Simaruba. (See fig. 21.) 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Genus SIMARUBITES Berry, n. gen. 

This genus is proposed for winged fruits which 

appear to me to be referable to the family Simaru-

. baceae but which are of uncertain or a~ least. unde-

. t(>rmined generic affinities, possibly representing an 

10 Ettingsbausen, Constantin von, Ueber die fossile Flora von Sagor 

in Krain, Ten 2, p. 42, PI. 16, figs. 2, 3, 1877. 

U Kovats, Julius, Fossile Flora von Tlll1ya, p. 15, pI. 1, fig. 2, 1856. 

1!ll\1arty, Pierre. Flore miocene de Joursa.c, p. 62, pI. 12, figs. 1, 2. 

1903. 
94 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATER 

extinct genus. For the present its characters are those 

of the following and only known species. 

Simarubites eocenicus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figures 15, 16 

The pedunculate character of this material proves 

it to have been a fruit and not a winged seed. It 

shows the following features: Fruit a samara, compressed, slightly unsymmetrically ~l1iptical lanceolate 

FIGURE 21.-Restoration of a complete lenf Of Simaruba 

eocenica Berry 

in outline, with a stout curved pedunc1e about 4 millimeters long, bluntly pointed at the apex, with a centrally located compressed fusiform seed cavity occupying about s~ven-elevenths of the length and about 

one-half the maximum~;..width, 'surrounded by an entire 

scarious wing, in which the venation is transverse, in 

contrast to the longitudinally reticulate veining of the 

central area. Length about 1.5 centimeters; maximum width, midway between the apex and the base, 

about G millimeters. . 

Among the existing spec.ies of families with samaroid or winged fruits with which comparisons might 

profitably be made-the Ulmaceae, Simarubaceae, Aceraceae, Sapindaceae, Oleaceae, and Rutaceae-I find 

nothing that is strictly comparable. There have been 

fossils referred to the genus Vl1nw8 which are not 

greatly unlike the present fossil, but Ulmus usually 

has a distinctly bifid tip and a persistent calyx, which 

seems to effectually rule out such a relationship. The 

genus Framnu8 invariably has a terminal wing and a 

somewhat different organization and is usually more 

coriaceous and differently veined. The fossil im-

.presses me as differing decid~dly from the fruits of 

the genus Ailamtluws but is nearer to it than to the 

other possible groups mentioned above. After considering all the evidence, inconclusive as it is admitted 

to be, I believe that the affinities are with the family 

Simarubaceae, in which a very considerable carpologic 

yariety is displayed. 

I have accordingly proposed the form genus Sima',-

rubite8 as indicative of such a relationship. Possibly 

with lllore completely representative carpologic mate.-

rial of existing species this conclusion might be improved upon, but, tentatively at least, this genus may 

be regarded as an extinct genus of the Simarubaceae. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Family ZYGOPHYLLACEAE 

Genus ZYGOPHY~LUM Linne 

Zygophyllum? eocenicum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 31, figure 1 

The present specimen might represent a leaflet of 

some unknown leguminous form, but its great resemblance in outline and especially in venation to certain 

existing forms of Zygophyllu1n has led me to refer 

it tentatively to that genus.' More abundant material 

and specimens showing the habit are much to be 

desired. It may be described as follows: 

Leaflets rhomboidal elliptical, widest lnedianly, 

very slightly inequilateral, with a broadly rounded, 

sightly emarginate apex and a cuneate or slightly 

decurrent, apparently sessile base. Margins entire. 

Texture coriaceous. Length about 4 centimeters; 

maxil)lum width about 3.7 centimeters. Venation 

largely imlnersed. Midvein stout but not prominent. 

. Secondaries similar, diverging frOln the' nlidvein at 

acute angles at irregular intervals, relatively straight 

in their course, forming simple camptodrome loops 

well within the margins, and upon these are imposed 

similar secondary and tertiary loops. 

This form is almost exactly like the leaflets of 

several existing species of Zygophyllul1~. It also resembles a leaflet of an undetermined species of Gua-

.iacum from Venezuela, which was figured by me III 
E"GPHORBULES 95 

connection with n Pliocene species from Brazil IS and 

is considerably different from the leaflets of the existing Guaja()u'l7~ sanct~"m Linne, which reaches southern 

Florida from the Antilles. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Family MELIACEAE 

Genus CEDRELA Linne 

Cedrela mississippiensis major Berry, n. var. 

Plate 41, figure 3 

Leaflets ovate, abruptly pointed, rounded and markedly inequilateral at the base, with a coriaceous texture 

and prominent primary, secondary, and tertiary venation, which is in exnct agreement with that of the type. 

'1'hls form is relatively shorter and wider and more 

inequilateral than the type, with which it is associated. 

It has seemed best to distinguish it by a trinomial, alo though it is believed to be simply a variant of Oed1'ela 

'In'tss't8s'tppie118is. A spe~imen from a locality near, 

Bolivar shows two leaflets side by side as if they had 

been attached to a common stipe. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn., west of Bolivar, IIardeman County, 

Tenn. 

Cedrela mississippiensis minor Berry, n. var. 

Plate 41, figures 1, 2 

Leafiets small, slender, lanceolate, falcate, widest 

near the base, narrowed distad to the abruptly acuminate tip. Primary, secondary, and tertiary venation 

identical with that of the type. Length 2.5 centimeters; maximum width 5.5 millimeters. ' 

I believe that this form represents the small distal 

]eaflets of Oedlrela 1nississippiensis. They differ from 

the normal leaflets of this species in their smaller size. 

more slender form, and shorter petiolule. The venation is identical, and they are found associated, so 

that perhaps the proposed trinomial is unnecessary. 

The forms 1najo',. and WiW1' probably represent the 

extremes of individual variation of the type, but rather 

than recharacterize the species it has seemed better to 

give these variants a varietal name until such time as 

i'he complete foliar characters become known. This 

course cnn do no harm, for their probable relationship 

is clearly recognized. As yet both of the varieties 

have been found associated with the type at the single 

locality mentioned below. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

10 IIolllck, Arthur, nnd Berry, E. W., Johns Hopkins Univ. Studies in 

Geology, No.5, pl. 4, fig. 13, 1924. 

'Genus CARAPA Aublet 

Carapa eolignitica Berry 

Plate 39, figure 10 

Oarapa, coUgn4.tic(~ Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 253, pI. 55, fig. 4; pI. 60, fig. 4, 1916. 

The complete leaf of this form from La Grange figured herewith is entirely typical of the smaller leaves 

of this characteristic species. It is not uncommon in 

the Holly Springs sand, well above the middle, and is 

known from only the eastern shore of the 'Vilcox Mississippi Gulf. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Center Church, 

Hardeman County, Tenn.; three-fourths of a mile 

northwest of Pattersonville and La Grange, Fayette 

County, Tenn.; ,iVill Brooks farm, 2.1 miles northwest 

of Mercer, ~1adison County, Tenn.; Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn.; and 'Vickliffe, Ballard County, I(y. 

Family MALPIGHIACEAE 

Genus HIRAEA Jacquin 

Hiraea wilcoxiana Berry 

Plate 27, figure 6 

Hir(tca l(filcomicu/'o. Berry, U. S. Geol., Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 257, pI. 57, fig. 8; pI. 109, fig. 6, 1916. 

Additional specimens by the, charactel~ of the tertiary 

venation confirm the relationsliip of these leaves. The 

specimen figured is characteristically' like certain existing sp~eies of the genus. The type came from the 

later 'Vilcox outcrops at Puryear, T~nn. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

llardeman County, Tenn. 

Order EUPHORBIALES 

Family EUPHORBIACEAE 

Gen us MANIHOT Adanson 

Manihot eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plute 14, figures 11, 12 

Long-petioled, digitately lobate leaves of small size 

and somewhat delicate texture. Orbicular in general 

outline, with a rounded base, diviQ.ed by conical angular sinuses extending more than halfway to the base 

into four unequal, fingerlike, sbaight-sided, and obtusely pointed lobes. Margins entire. Length about 

3 centimeters; maXim1.1m width, from tip to tip of 

the lateral lobes, about 3.7 centimeters. Petiole long, 

slender" and curved, about 1.5 centimeters in length. 

The subequal primaries diverge at acute angles and 

r'un in relatively straight courses to the tips of the 

lobes, of which they ,constitute the midveins. The 

secondaries are tl~in and few, irregularly spaced, diverging from the primaries at acute angles, much 

_ERn Of II BUREAU Of MINES 
96 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF· ,THE SOUTHEASTER~ STATES 

a,scending, becoming parallel with the margins in their 

upper courses, eventually camptodrome except for one 

in each lobe, which runs to the angle of the sinus. 

Tertiaries and areolation obsolete. / 

The only recent forms that suggested comparisons 

with this fossil form were the genus Pa8siflora and 

several genera of the Araliaceae and Euphorbiaceae. 

I have satisfied myself that it is not a Passiflora. 'It 

may be some araliaceous form, of which a great variety 

have been described from the beds, but many of these 

are rather, poorly authenticated. After comparisons 

with recent forms I have concluded that it represented 

u' Wilcox species of the genus Manihot. This genus, 

Bot otherwise known in the fossil state, comprises between 80 and 100 existing species, ranging from Mexico through Central America to Brazil, where the 

majority are found at present. 

According to Tracy,I4 the various cultivated varieties of M anihot can be grown successfully where the 

growing season is sufficiently long, as in some of our 

Gulf States. In their native home the tropical species 

are said to find their optimum conditions in coastal 

regions. 

The only fossil form deserving of mention in this 

connection is M andlwtites georgiama Berry, 15 a large 

and rather convincing form from the Upper Cretaceous Eutaw formation in Georgia. This species is 

quite different from the Wilcox plant, but M anihot 

shows very great individual and specific variation in 

its foliar characters. 

. Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2112 

miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Order SAPINDALES 

Family AN ACARDIACEAE 

Genus HETEROCALYX Saporta 

Heterocalyx saportana Berry 

Plate 14, figures 13-16 

Heterocalym sapwtana Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 260, pI. 59, fig. 1, 1916. 

This species was described in 1916 from the Holly 

Springs sand at £arly Grove, in ~1arshall County, 

Miss. Several specimens in more recent c'ollections 

from' T~nIiessee appear to represent this species, although I was at first.) disposed to consider them as 

representing some possibly rosaceous flower. They 

are the same size as the type, and the supposed sepals 

ai'e of the same form but appear to be of greater 

consistency. The lack of any essential flower parts, 

which should leave some traces in such a fine-grained 

clay, where stamens and anthers are preserved in other 

H Tracy, F. M., U. S. Dept. Agr, Farmers' Bull. 167, 1903. 

~II Berry, E. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 84, p. 114, '1914. ' 

specimens, suggests rather strongly that these objects 

represent H eterocalyw rather than a flower. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Genus ANACARDITES Saporta 

Anacardites eocenicus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 14, figure 18 

These fossils from the character of the base are 

obviously leaflets of some compound leaf, and the 

preponderance of their features points to their being 

referable to the family Anacardiaceae; they are therefore referred to the form genus Anaca?·dites. Leaflets 

of medium size, markedly inequilateral in form, with 

a shortly acuminate tip and a roundedly acute base 

that is markedly inequilateral, one side being fuller 

than the other and terminating about 4 millimeters 

below that of the narrower side. Margins entire, 

rather full and evenly rounded. Texture subcoriaceous. Length about 7 ~entimeters; maximum width, 

midway 'between the apex and base, about 2.5 centi- <> 

'meters, of which one side of the lamina is about 1 

centimeter, and the other about 1.5 centimeters wide, 

the wider side having a somewhat less evenly rounded 

margin than the narrower side. Petiolule short, stout, 

und curved, about 3 millimeters in length. Midvein 

stout, prominent, straight above the slightly curved 

proximal part. Secondaries medium stout, 8 or 9 

irregularly spaced pairs, diverging from the mid vein 

at wide angles, curving principally as they approach 

the margins, and camptodrome. Tertiaries mostly 

obsolete. 

This species is obviously unlike any previously 

known member of the Wilcox flora. It resembles a 

number of recent, chiefly South American, genera of 

the Anacardiaceae, and is referred to the convenient 

form genus AnaCOlrdites, proposed by Saporta for uncertainly, determined fossil forms belonging· to this 

family. Seven species of Anacardites have already 

been recognized in the Wilcox" but none of these are 

at all close to the present species, which probably 

represents a different botanical genus. !, 

Occurrence: Wilcox formation, sec. 10, T. 14 S., 

R. 21 W., Nevada County, Ark. Holly Springs sand, 

of Wilcox group, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, 

Tenn. 

Anacardites inequilateralis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 29, figure 7 

Leaflets . snlall, markedly inequilateral, oval and 

somewhat falcate, widest below the middle, narrowing 

distad to the blunt tip. Base full and rounded on one 

side, narrowly cuneate on the other. Margins entire 

but somewhat irregular. Texture coriaceous. Length 

about 4.25 centimeters; maximum width about 1.5 
SAPINDALES '·97 

centimeters. Petiolule short, stout, and· curved, about 

1.5 millimeters in length. l\1idvein relatively very 

stout and prominent to the extreme tip, conspicuously 

curved, the concavity toward the narrower side of the 

lamina. Secondaries stout and prominent, 6 to 9 

pftll'S, diverging from the midvein at wide angles, 

relatively straight proximad, curving as they approach the margins, and camptodrome, usually by a 

single loop; those in the narrower side of the lamina 

fewel' in number and the lower ones more ascending. 

Tertiary venation obsolete. 

Eight species of Anacardites were previously known 

fr01n the Wilcox, representing both leaves and leaflets, 

with various affinities among existing genera of the 

family Anacardiaceae. The only one of these Wilcox 

species at all like the present one is Anacardites metOpifoUa Berry 10 of the later Wilcox, which is of 

about the same size and proportions and has a similar 

petiolule. Anaca'rdites metopifolia is, however, much 

more symmetrical, with very much thinner and more 

numerous secondaries. These two species appear to 

be related, however, and may have belonged to the 

same botanical genus. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, about 1 mile north 

of Somerville, north of Loosahatchie River, Fa.yette 

County, Tenn. 

Family CELASTRACEAE 

Genus CELASTRUS Linne 

Celastrus veatchi Hollick 

Plate 14, figures 20, 21 

Oelastnl,8 veatch·£ Hollick, in Harris, G. nl, 'and Veatch, A. C., 

A preliminnry report on the geology of Louisiana, p. 285, 

pI. 43, figs. 4, 5, 1899; Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 91, p. 267, pI. 61, fig. 2, 1916. 

This nliddle and upper "Vilcox species is rather rare 

at 'all its occurrences. Two incomplete leaves of it 

are figured from Hardeman County in this paper. A 

small leaf of this species from La Grange measures 

but 3 centimeters in 'length and 1.25 centimeters in 

maximum width. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn.; 2 miles southeast of Bolivar, on 

old Murrell place, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Celastrus bolivarensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plnt,e 29, figure 2. 

Leaves small, widest medianly and nari'owly elliptical in general outline, bluntly pointed distad and 

acute proximad. l\1argins entire. Texture coriaceous. Length ab,out 1.5 centimeters; maximum width 

about 6.5 millimeters. Petiole relatively long and 

stout, about 5 millimeters in length. Midvein stout 

10 Berry, ]~. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 262, pI. 58, fig. 

7, 1916. 

and promipent. Secondaries relatively stout and 

prominent; about five alternate pairs diverge fron~ 

the midvein at angles of about 45°, curve regularly 

and subparallelly upward, and are camptodrome. The 

tertiary venation is obsolete. 

Among previously described forms the present species approaches closest to Oelastrus rrlJin01' Berry 17 of 

the Holly Springs sand in Mississippi. It is slightly 

wider, less pointed at the ends, with a longer petiole 

and much coarser and more prominent midvein ,and 

~econc1aries. 

There are at least half a dozen species of .oelastrus 

in the 'Vilcox, but the others are all markedly distinct from 0 elast'l"U8 bolivarrensi~. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Celastrus minor Berry 

Plate 14, figure 17 

Oelast1'1t8 flliinor Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Pap~r, 91, 

p. 266, pI. 61, figs. 3, 4, 1916. 

The leaf of this small species that has been figured 

from Mill Creek is relatively wider than the leaves of 

this size usually are. The species was described from 

the type locality of the Holly Springs sand but has 

also been found in the overlying Grenada formation in 

Fayette and Henry Counties, Tenn. It has not, been 

observed in the western Gulf area. 

Occuq:ences: Holly Springs sand, Holly Springs, 

Miss.; l\1ill Creek and 5% miles south of Whiteville, 

Hardeman County, Tenn.; Thompson & Barksdale 

prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, 

Tenn.; Grable pit .and Holcomb property, Henry 

County, Tenn., Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn.; 2.9 miles southwest of Somer-

"ille, near Moses Hall, and 5 miles southwest of Wil-

'liston, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Genus CELASTROCARPUS Berry, n, gen. 

Celastrocarpus eocenicus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figures 26-29 

Capsule stalked, loculicidal, three-valved. Valves 

ovate, margined, transversely rugose. Peduncle stout, 

about 1 centimeter in length. Valves about 1.25 centimeters in length and from 4 to 6 millimeters in maximum width. 

This characteristic fruit is represented by a single 

complete ~pecimen and several detached valves. Their 

peculiar ornamentation makes them readily recognizable. Its features are those of several- genera.>-0f l.phe 

family Celastraceae and the form genus Oelast1'ocarp1II8 is therefore proposed for it. Among previously 

described fossil forms the only one that I have seen 

17 Berry, E. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 266, pl. 61, 

figs. 3, 4, 1916. 
98 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

which approaches it at all closely is an un~amed specimen· from the Miocene of Switzerland that Heel' 18 

refers to OelaJst1'Us. There is considerable resemblance 

to the capsules of the strictly American genus Agave, 

in which, however, the capsules are usually much 

larger. 

Leaves representing the genera M aytenws, Oelastl'us, 

and E'Wonym1JJ8 of the family Celastraceae have been 

described from the Wilcox, and it is possible that the 

present fruiting specimen may belong to one of these 

species described from the foliage. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, about 500 yards 

south of Saulsbury station, Hardeman County, Tenn.; 

1 mile west of Laconia, Fayette County, Tenq. 

Genus EUONYMUS Linne 

Euonymus? fructescens Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figure 13 

·A single specimen that appears to be related to the 

fruits of Euo11Jy'1n(wS is tentatively referred to. that 

genus. It shows the following features: Capsule 

somewhat ligneous, apparently tardily dehiscent, fourlobed; the lobes rounded and separated by sulcate 

sinuses. Surface smooth. General form spheroidal. 

Length about 6 millimeters; maximum diameter about 

the same. Peduncle stout, about 1 lnillimeters in 

length, sharply flexed just below the capSUle. 

This fruit, unfortunately represented only by the 

single specimen figured, is apparently that of Euony-

'In/us and greatly resembles the fruits of various existing species. As the leaves of this genus are so very 

abundant at this horizon in the 'Vilcox, this determination appears to be all the more probable. 

The oniy previously described fossil form that 

shows a resemblance is EU'onymfUs 'lnrOskenbe1'gensis, 

described by Ettingshausen 19 from the Miocene of 

Styria. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 2 miles southeast 

of Bolivar, on old Murrell property, Hardeman 

Co~nty, Tenn. 

Family ACERACEAE. 

Genus NEGUNDO Moench 

Negundo knowltoni Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 21, figure 7; Plate 42, figure 7 

The present species is based on the single specimens 

figured and counterparts. They are interpreted as 

representing lateral leaflets of a trifoliate .species of 

Negundo, although there is the alternative that they 

represent an abnormal leaf of some otherwise unknown 

Wilcox species of Acer. The species is decisively 

sa Heer, Oswald, Flora tertiaria Helvetiae, Band 3, pI. 1~34. figs. 28 

29, 1859. 

10 Ettingshausen, Constantin von, Beitrage zur Kellntlliss der Tel·tilir. 

flora Steiermarks: K. Akad. Wiss. Wiell Sitzungsber., Baud 60, p. 83, 

pI. 6, fig. 4, 18a9. 

referable to the Aceraceae, both by its form and venation, and in my opinion the first alternative is much 

the more probable. 

Leaflet of medium size, inequilaterally rhomboidal, 

widest in the lower half, with an inequilateral cordate 

. base and an acuminate tip. Margin with irregular 

serrate teeth, separated by rounded sinuses, the lowermost on the wider side of the lamina extending inward one-third the distance to the midvein and cutting off a well-defined basal lobe. Length about 1.5 

centimeters; maximum width about 5.1 centimeters. 

Petiolule stout, preserved for a length of 5 millimeters. 

Midvein stout, curved. Secondaries stout, five to seven 

opposite to alternate, regularly curved, craspedodrome 

pairs; the basal pair diverging fr0111 the top of the 

petiolule and constituting subprimaries. Lateral tertiaries craspedodrome, or camptodrome where they 

reach a toothless part of the border. Internal tertiaries mostly subpercurrent, partly anastomosing. 

Areolation obsolete. 

This form adds an interesting element to the Wilcox flora and ~epresents a genus whose geologic history is very incompletely known. Two species have 

been recorded from the Upper Cretaceous and two 

from the Eocene of the western United States, and 

there is a well-marked species in the middle Eocene of 

'Vyoming. The present species is decidedly different 

from all of these. The later history of the genus is 

entirely unknown. 

The existing species of Negwndo. are three in .number and are usually small trees of mesophytic environments, such as "stream or swamp borders, or at least 

,,,here the water table reaches close to the surface. Our 

eastern species ranges from western Vermont and central New York to Florida and extends westward to 

Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, 'where a suitable environment is found. Our western species grows in a 

restricted area in the lower Sacramento Valley and 

along streams on the western slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains. The third' species occurs in Central America .• The presence ol the genus in the moist 

warm climates of the early Eocene· and a surviving 

form in Central America suggests that the genus diverged from the ancestral Acel' stock in low latitudes 

and probably during Upper Cretaceous time. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, northwest of Somerville, about 1 mile north of Somerville, north of 

Loosahatchie River, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Family SAPINDACEAE 

Genus CUPANITES Schimper 

Cupanites formosus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 30, figures 1-4· 

Leaves of nledium size, quinquefoliate, odd pinnate, 

consisting of a larger equilateral petiolulate terminal 

,~ ',~.: .::;~,. ~ 

.. _ ~ 1 '.£ ._ .... 
SAPIN 1)ALI~S 

leaflet and two pairs of sessile inequilateral lateral 

lenflets. Petiole about 1.25 centimeters long below 

the point of attachment of the basal laterals. Length 

including petiole, about 11.5 centimeters; maximu~ width, from tip to tip of the superior lateral leaflets, 

about 9.5 centimeters. 

Fortunately, one specimen shows a complete leaf 

of this species, otherwise it would have been impossible 

to reach a decision regarding its affinity, as the leaflets 

are variable and show resemblances to a number of 

unrelated genera. In the type the terminal leaflet is 

separated from the point of attachment of the superior 

lateral leaflets by an interval of stipe or petiolule of 

1.5 centimeters. It is broadly lanceolate and strictly 

equilaternl in form, with an acuminate tip and a cune- . 

ate base. The margin is coarsely dentate. Length 

nbout 7.5 centimeters; maximum width about 3 certtimeters, 01' a millimeter or two less. The secondnries 

nre numerous, thin, relatively straight, diverging from 

the midvein at nngles generally in excess of 45°, and 

cl'Uspedodrome; they are somewhat irregularly spaced, 

and when farther apart they fork distally, sending a 

brnnch to the subadjnce~lt marginal tooth. The superiot· pail' of laterals are smnller and narrower than the 

terminal leaflet, subopposite in position and sessile or 

with a very short petiolule; their midveins nre usually 

slightly recurved; tips acuminate and practically equilateral; bases rounded, or pointed on the distal side 

und markedly inequilateral. Secondaries numerous 

t) nd subparallel, more curved than' in the terminal 

leaflet, craspedodrome, simple or branching near the 

margins to send a vein to each marginal tooth. Marginal teeth finer than in the terminal leaflet, serrate 

o or crenate in form. The basal laterals are only about 

half the size of the superior laterals, from which they 

are separated by slightly more than 1 centimeter of 

stipe; they are usually sessile and have the snme form 

and other features of the superior laterals in the type. 

In some specimens they are relatively narrower and 

longet·. I am fortunnte in being able to figure a complete leaf of this interesting species. The detached 

leaflets because of their varying proportions might 

well be confused with a variety of genera, the nar-

'rower ones suggesting Rh!U;8 among compound leaves 

01' MY7"ica among simple leaves, and the broader 

specimens nlight even be confused with Vl17~US, Plane1'a, or O(Jfrpi71!Uis. The narrower leaflets suggest O'UJ.-

pa'nites pmrvulis Berry 20 of the upper Claiborne or 

more particularly Owpanites nigricans (Lesquereux) 

Berry 21 of the lower Jackson, the latter considered a 

l\1yrica by Lesquereux, and the present species seems 

.... .'0 Be t'l' Y , E. W., U. S. Geol. Sm'\,ey Prof. PIlPer 92, p. 70, pl. 12, fig. 

G, 1{)24. 

111 Idem, p. 176, pI. :14, fig. 7. 

to justify the reference of these two later Eocene species to the genus Oupanites. 

The genus Oupanites was proposed by Schimper for 

forms that suggested a relationship with the existing 

genus Oupmnia Linne and may well serve for this 

new Wilcox species without attempting to stress the 

resemblance to any existing genus of the tribe Cupanieae. 

The existing species of Oupania number about 30 

and are confined to the American tropical and subtropical region. They are not uncommon in the Antilles but do not naturally reach the Florida peninsula. Several fossil species of Cupa11lUes have been 

described from American and European rocks, and 

there are two additional species lmown from the Wilcox, both of which are so distinct from the present 

species that comparisons would be superfluous. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, northwest of Pattersonville, Fayette County, Tenn.; Grenada formation, 2.9 miles southwest of Somerville; road from 

Jones Chapel to Good Spring School, 5 miles southwest of Williston; ironstone float near last locality; 

about 1 mile north of Somerville, north of Loosatchie 

River; all in Fayette County, Tenn. 

Cupanites amplus Berry, n. sp. 

Plute 4H. figures 1, :! 

These specimens in their equilateral falcate form 

and very unsymmetrical. base furnish evidence that 

they are not simple but represent ~he leaflets of a 

compound leaf. The toothed margin and craspedodrome venation exclude them from Juglans, Hicor:ia, 

F'l'Cl{vinus, the Ternstroemiaceae, the Rhamnaceae;~'or 

any of the temperate forms with toothed margins that 

one ordinarily expects to find in such an association 

as the Wilcox flora indicates. The only family to 

which I can refer them isthe Sapindaceae, and in this 

family they show so nlany resemblances to existing 

species of- the tribe Cupanieae t.hat they are referred 

to the form genus Oupanites, and they appear to be' 

strictly congeneric with Oupanites f01'77WSUS Berry of 

the Grenada formation. They luay be incompletely 

characterized as follows: 

Leaves compound, of large size. Leaflets large, 

ovate lanceolate, falcate, apparently sessile, widest at 

or slightly below the middle, with acute tips and a 

strikingly inequilateral base, which is truncate on the 

full side and acuminate on the other, narrowed, side. 

Margins with regularly spaced, sonlewhat remote, 

prominent, serrate teeth. Texture subcoriaceous. 

Length about 12 to 18 centimeters; maximum width 

4 to 5.5 centimeters. Midvein stout, prominent., 

curved, especially proximad. Secondaries relatively 

thin but prominent, numerous, subparallel, fairly regBUREAU OF MINES LIBRARY 

.~- DENVER 
100 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE 'SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

ularly spaced; they diverge from the midvein at wide 

angles, averaging about 70°, at intervals of 5 to 10 

millimeters, curving as they approach the margins 

and terminating in the marginal teeth. Occasionally 

[I. marginal tooth will not be represented by a secondary' in which case a craspedodrome branch from the 

5uperadjacent secondary will take its place. More 

rarely an intercalated secondary will be unrepresented 

by,,3. marginal tooth and will be camptodrome. The 

tertiaries are thin but well marked, being percurrent 

or inosculating midway between the secondaries, and 

forming well-marked marginal arches between the 

teeth. 

This species is readily distinguishable from the 

other three species of Oupanites that have been discovered in the Wilcox. Among these it most resembles 

Oupanites fornwsu8 Berry, which is a very much 

smaller quinquelobate, odd-pinnate form, with correspondingly smaller teeth, more ascending and commonly ,forked secondaries. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Thompson & 

Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie; Huckleberry Schoolhouse, 2Y2 miles south of ~{cLemoresville; all in CarrolLCounty, Tenn.--' 

.qenus DODONAEA Linne 

Dodona~a pa~~lda Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figures 1-4 

Fruit relatively small, compressed, orbicular or 

elliptical, with a stout central axis, umbonate distad, 

two-celled. Walls thin, con$picuously reticulateveined, passing at the margin .of the capsule into a 

relatively narrow marginal wing which is reticulately 

veined. Peduncle relatively IQng, conspicuously thickened distad. In ,one'" of the perfect specimens there 

are no traces of seeds; in the other specimen one cell 

if. empty and the other contains a single flattened, 

elliptical seed attached to the upper part of the axis. 

Peduncle 8 to 9 millimeters long. Capsular part of 

'the fruit 6 or 7 millimeters long and 3.5 to 5 millimeters in maximum diameter. Marginal wing only 

about a millimeter in maximum width. 

These characteristic small fruits are distinctly those 

of Sapindaceae, less certainly those of Dodonaea, in 

which the wings are usually more largely developed. 

The existing species, which are fairly numerous and 

occur in both the oriental and the occidental Tropics, 

have similar netted-veined capsules, which are from 

two to six celled and range in consistency from membranous to leathery. The majority are three-celled 

and generally carry two seeds in each cell. There are, 

however, several two-celled species, and some of the 

normally three-celled forms commonly show a reduc· 

tion to two cells, and in many of these fruits none or 

but a single seed may mature in each cell. 

Two species from the Wilcox have been already described, and the genus was rather fully discussed in 

1916 in connection with their characterization.22 

A number of very definite fossil species are known~ 

those of the, earlier Tertiary being confined to tl~e 

Western' Hemisphere, with both leaves and fruit in 

the ""Vilcox and leaves in both the middle (Claiborne) 

and upper (Jackson) Eocene. The European records 

of the genus appear to start with the Oligocene. 

The fruits of Dodonaea parvula are' too delicate to 

retain their vitality for any length of time in sea 

water, although they would float readily enough, nor 

would their feeble developlnent of wi~gs enable them 

to fly any great dista!lce, especially in a humid forested 

country, alt~o~gh they might be blown considerable 

distances over a dry, sparingly covere,d land surface, 

such as a beach. The consistencY,of the seed is nnknown, but any adaptation for dissemination by birds 

is' very doubtful. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar~ 

Hardeman County, Tenn. 

D'odonaea wiIcoxiana Berry 

Dodonaca 'lvilc<;Jxiana Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 270, pI. 38, fig. 2, 1916. 

Specimens fronl the Holly Springs sand at the 

Grable pit in Henry County, Tenn., are identical with 

the type hut somewhat larger and relatively wider. 

Their dimensions are 4 centimeters in length, and 12 

millimeters in maximum width. 

Dodonaea knowltoni Berry 

Dodonaea kno'lOltoni Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91,. 

p. 271, pI. 64, fig. 3, 1916. 

~ ew material from the Holly Springs sand at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn., includes one characteristic 

specimen which is 2.75 centimeters in diameter and 

is thus considerably larger than the type, which came 

from this same locality. 

The restoration of a Wilcox Dodona.ea show~ in 

Figure 22 has been made on the assumption that the 

fruits described as Dodo'fUllea knowltoni Berry appertain to the same botanic species as the leaves described 

as Dodonaea wilcowiama Berry. The two occur at the 

same horizon in western Tennessee but have not been 

discovered in the same outcrop. There is a possibility 

that the lea.ves might have belonged with the fruits 

described on a preceding page as Dodonaea parvula 

Berry, but the former supposition seemed the more 

probable.' 

22 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, pp. 270-272, 1916. 
SAPINDALES 101 

The variations in the forn1 and size of the leaves 

are based on actual specimens; their persistence on 

the distal part of the twigs is consistent with fruitbearing twigs and is "based on the habit of the existing 

Dodonaea viscosa Linne. The fruits illustrate the 

extremes of size as represented at the Puryear locality: 

and their arrangement conforms to that in the existing species. 

Sapindus formosu~ Berry 

PIa te 36, figure 7 

Savitndu8 forrnosus Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 276, pI. 66, figs. 3-7, 1916. 

This common and widespread species of the middle 

and upper Wilcox was fully described in Professional 

Paper 91. Prior to 1925 all the occurrences were of 

Ji'IGURE 22.-Restoration of Dodonaea 

Gen us SAPINDUS Linne 

Sapindus linearifolius Berry 

Plate 14, figure 19 

r~a/)ind/lt8 Unea'rifolill£8 Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 275, pI. 63, figs. 2-5; pI. 109, fig. 4, 1916. 

This common middle and: ,upper ,Wilcox species 

shows a single leaf from the Holly Springs sanel at its 

type locality, Holly Springs, Marshall County, Miss., 

in which the leaf is bilaminate like that of certain recent species of Euphol'biaceae and Apocynaceae. 

63757-30--8 

detached leaflets, and the botanic determination rested 

on the form and venation. 

This specimen figured in this paper adds considerably to our knowledge of the species and confirms its 

identification. It shows the terminal part of a leaf 

with nine attached leaflets. The stipe is stout, with 

leaflets at intervals of about 2 centimeters. The leaflets are subopposite and their laminae are widest on 

the distal side. The habit is even pinnate, which is 

the prevailing but not the universal habit of the leaves 

of the existing species. 
102 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

This specimen is made the basis for the restoration 

of the complete leaf of this species shown in Figure 23. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, one-fourth mile 

south of Mandy, Madison County, Tenn. 

Sapindus fructiferus Berry, n. sp. 

- Plate 33, figure 16 

Fruit relatively small, more or less globose, coriaceous, about 7 millimeters in diameter, with a prominent funicle. It is possible that this fruit, repreFIGURE 23.-Restoration of a complete leaf of 

Sapindu8 formosu8 Berry 

sented by a single specimen, may represent some leguminous seed, but it bears a striking resemblance to the 

modern fruits of S(J)priiJUlrw8 and to those figured by 

Heel' 23 from the Miocene of Switzerland, and among 

such a display of SaYpind'u8 leaflets as that contained 

in the Wilcox at numerous localities it would indeed 

be surprising if occasional fruits were not found. 

28 Heel', Oswald, Flora tertia ria Helvetiae, Band 3, pI. 121, figs. 

2b-2d, 1859. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, ~Iill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Order RHAMNAL~S 

. F;:lmily VITACEAE 

Genus CISSITES Heer 

Cissites tolIinsi Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 17, figures 1-6 

Leaves trifoliate. Leaflets of medium size, from 

rhomboidal to trilobate, with an acute tip and a 

rounded to slightly cordate base. Margins entire .. 

Texture not coriaceous. Length between 8 and 9 

centimeters; ma.ximum width, about nlidway between 

the apex and the base, from 5.5 to 7 centimeters. One 

fragment, which may represent a simple trilobate. instead of a compound leaf, indicates a length of 13 

centimeters and a maximum width of 12 centimeters. 

Petiole stout, about 2.75 centimeters in length. MidFIGURE 24.-Restoration of a complete leaf of 

Ci88itCS collinsi Berry 

rib stout below, becoming attenuated distad. Secondaries six to ·eight pairs, thin, diverging from the 

. midrib at angles of about 45° at regular intervals 

and suboppositely; the basal pair are enlarged to fonn 

pseudoprimaries; they diverge from the top of the 

petiole, pursue relatively straight courses, and are 

crasp~dodrome, running to the tips of the incipient 

or more or less developed lateral lobes; the balance 

of the secondaries are subparallel and camptoc1rome, 

curving upward rather abruptly close to the margins, 

especially in those leaves in which the lateral lobes 

are _undeveloped. In the trilobate forms the secondaries are nlore curved and more ascending and the 

suprabasilar pair fork opposite the sinuses. The tertiaries are camptodrome from the outside of the basal 

secondaries and nl0stly thin and percurrent between 

the secondaries. 

The extremes of variation of this interesting species 

are shown in Figures 24 and 25. In the entire form 
RHAMNALES 103 

the lower half of the leaflet is full to the rounded 

lateral angles, above which the margins. are slightly 

excavated to form the broadly conical upper half of 

the leaf. In the trilobate form this tendency toward 

the development of sinuses above the middle is emphasized, and the leaflet is distinctly trilobate: with short 

rounded lateral lobes, separated from the conical medinn lobe by open, rounded sinuses. These extremes 

nre identicnl in texture and venation and unquestionably represent variants of a single botanical species. 

When first collected this species was thought to 

represent a variable but simple leaf. The clays at 

Mill Creek, however, contain many specimens which 

nre commonly markedly inequilateral. Their absolute 

identity in features of texture and venation proves 

thilt they belong to a single botanical species, and the 

11'IOUlllil 25.-Rcsl'omtioD of a complete leaf of Cissites 

collinsi Bcl'1'Y 

conclusion hus been reached that the leaves were trifoliate, a not uncommon habit in this family. The 

leaf is believed to be shown accurately in the accompanying restorations. Each leaflet pi.ctured represents an actual specimen, which accounts for a slight 

discordance in size, and the restoration consists entirely in grouping them in threes, as none were found 

in actual connection. 

Among previously described species the present 

species, which is named for the collector, is suggestive 

of the Denver species which ~esquereux 24 referred to 

Ste'l'culia 1node8ta Saporta and which Knowlton 25 

renamed Sterculia sapo'rtanea. The entire form of the 

Wilcox species is, however, almest identical with one 

of the figured forms referred by Lesquereux 26 to his 

species Oissites acu1ninatus and ascribed to the Dakota 

sandstone. 

&I LesquCl'ellX, Leo, The Cl'etaceous and Tertiary floras, p. 125, pI. 

20, fig. 5, 188B, 

~ Knowlton, 1.'. H., U. S. Geol. Survey BUll. 152, p. 224, 1898. 

110 Idem, p, 67, pI. 5, figs. 3, 4. 

Oissites acurminatus shows a, tendency to trilobation, 

with, however, a shorter median lobe and with more 

than one pail' of secondaries craspedodrome. Sterculia sapo'rtan.ea Knowlton, which in my opinion is a 

Oissites, differs from the Wilcox species in having 

more ascending and true lateral primaries, a less extended median lobe, and pointed (acute and acuminate) lateral lobes. Neither of the western forms 

develops the cordate base of some of the Wilcox 

specimens. 

The genus Oissites was proposed by Heel' 27 for 

leaves of the family Vitaceae supposed to be related 

to the Linnean genus OiS81M. To it have been referred 

a variety of forms, some of which are unquestionably 

allied to the Menispermaceae. 

There are over 250 existing species in the genus 

· Oi88U8, mostly climbers, found in all tropical countries. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, ~1ill Creek (type 

locality of species, where it is very abundant); 21/2 

miles northwest of Burnett's store; 2 miles southeast 

of Bolivar~ on old Murrell place; Bolivar-Jackson 

road north of Clover Creek; all in Hardeman County, 

Tenn. 

Cissites 'asymmetricus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 35, figures 1-5 

Lea.ves probably trifoliate, certainly compOl,lnd, and 

with at least three leaflets. Leaflets variable in size 

and form, rhomboidal to elliptical and markedly un-' 

symmetrical, more or less trilobate or quadrilobate, 

with acuminate tip and asymmetric base, which is 

· sharply ascending on one side and full and rounded 

on the other. Margins entire but. generally faintly 

undulate to conform to the camptodrome endings of 

the secondary veins. Texture subcoriaceous. Dimensions ranging fr0111 lengths of 2.5 centimeters and 

maximum widths of 1.5 centil11eters to lengths of 

12 centinleters and nlaximum widths of 7 centimeters. 

None of the specimens collected are complete, and 

· most of them are considerably broken, but enough is 

9va.ilable with the counterparts for determining most 

of their features. The smallest specimen figured 

clearly shows tha.t at least three leaflets were present 

in the leaf. This specimen was probably trifoliate, 

but it might be a terminal portion of a pinnate leaf 

like those of some existing cissoid species. The 

medium-sized specimen shows a' trilobate leaflet with 

rounded sinuses and acuminate lateral lobes. The 

largest specimen, as reconstructed, shows an acuminate 

tip a.nd three irregularly placed acuminate lateral 

lobes. All the leaflets ha ve stout petiolules; their 

'Z1 Heel',' Oswald, Soc. h~lYHique sci. nat. l\1~m., YOI. 22, No.1, p. 19, 

1866. 
" 104 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

leI1gth is intact in only the nlinimum-sized leaflets, 

where it is about 4 millimeters. The primaries diverge 

at a'cute angles from the top of the petiolule and are 

from 3 to 6 in number; they are medium stout, curved 

in their courses, and terminate in the acuminate lobes. 

The secondaries are medium stout, numerous, mostly 

long ascending, and camptodrome close to the margins. 

The tertiaries are thin but well marked and characteristic for the species in all the various-sized specinlens; they are closely spaced and straight or flexed 

percurrent at approximately right angles to the adja,. 

cent primaries or secondaries; a minority fork or 

anastomose in the mid region. The areolation is obscurely quadrangular or polygonal. 

This rather striking species shows 111any general 

resemblances to Oissites collirusi Berry, which is so 

common at certain horizons in the Tennessee Wilcox 

not appreciably different in age from the type locality 

of this species. It is indeed possible that the two 'may 

represent the extremes of variation of a single and 

highly variable botanic species, as both of these recognized specific entities are extremely variable. 

However, according to any logical method or handling foliar remains, the two must be recognized as 

distinct. 

The resemblance between the two forms is based 

on what might be called facies-that is, it is confined 

to the ascending secondaries and numerous percurrent 

tertiaries and is generic. When detailed comparisons 

of individual features are made, specific unlikeness is 

satisfactorily emphasized. Thus the leaflets of Oissites collitnsi are more uniform in size, more nearly 

symmetrical in outline, with rounded and scarcely perceptible inequilaterality at the base. The lobation, 

which only reaches perfection in occasional terminal 

leaflets, is rounded and not acuminate. The primaries 

are stouter and more prominent, as well as only three 

in number, and consequently more divergent; and although the features considered genel~ic are similar in 

the two I have experienced no difficulty in correctly 

recognizing fragments of either. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, 2.9 miles southwest of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Family RHAMNACEAE 

Genus BERCHEMIA Necker 

Berchernia eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figures 12-14 

Leaves small, oblong oval, with a bluntly pointed 

tip and an acute base. Margins entire. Texture relatively coriaceous. Length from 2 to 5 centimeters; 

Inaximum width from 7 to 16 millimeters. Petiole 

stout and curved, about 3 millimeters in length. Midvein relatively stout and prominent, generally somewhat curved. Secondaries numerous, subparallel, ascending, camptodrome. About 13 regularly spaced 

pairs diverge from the midvein at acute angles at 

regular intervals which increase somewhat proximad. 

Tertiaries thin, closely spaced, percurrent. 

A characteristic leaf of this species fronl Cottage 

Grove reaches the maximum known size. It is 6 centimeters long and 2.25 centimeters in maximUlll width. 

These characteristic small lea ves have all the features of the leaves of the existing species of B erchemia/ in fact, they are exceedingly like those of 

Berchenw(JJ scandens (Hill) Trelease, a high climbing 

shrub found at the present time in low woods from 

Virginia to Florida and from Missouri to Texas. 

The genus contains about a dozen existing species, 

the others being natives of Asia and Africa. About 

seven nominal fossil species have been recorded, the 

majority of the fossil occurrences being attributed to 

Berchernia 171,ultinervis (Alexander Braun) Heer,28 an 

obviously composite species. 'Vith the exception of 

certain Eocene records from North America the' genus 

js lllore common in the later Tertiary, being known 

from the Oligocene to the Pliocene in Europe and in 

the Miocene of both Atlantic and Pacific North America. Lesquereux,29 Ward,80 and I(nowlton 81 have 

identified leaves from the Denver, Raton, and Fort 

Union formations as identical with the European 

Berchemfia mrultinervis, the type material' of which 

came from the Miocene of Switzerland. These western Eocene leaves so designated are relatively shorter 

and wider than the Wilcox material, with fewer secondaries. In other respects the resemblance is very 

great. The present species is identical in appearance 

with Berchemia pl'isca Saporta 82 from the lower Miocene of France. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 

Hardeman County, Tenn. Grenada formation, Cot~, 

tage Grove, Henry County, Tenn. 

Genus REYNOSIA Grisebach 

Reynosia praenuntia Berry 

Plate 41, figure 19 

Reynosia lJmmVunUa Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 281, pI. 68, fig. 4; pI. 69, figs. 2, 3, 1916. 

The specimen figured somewhat widens the limits 

of the species and serves to complete its characterization. In the description of the type th.e tip is de-

. scribed as broadly rounded. This feature is now seen 

28 Heer, Oswald, Flora tertiaria Helvetiae, Band 3, p. 77, pI. 123, 

figs. 9-18, 1859. 

:II Lesquereux, Leo, The Tertiary flora, p. 277, pI. 52, flgs. 9, 10 

1878. . _ 

80 Ward, L. F., U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 37, p. 73, pl. 33, fig. 1, 1887. 

81 Knowlton, F. H., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 101, p. 333, pI. 

101, flg. 5,,1918. 

8lI Saporta, Gaston de, 1!ltudes sur la v~gHation du sud-est de 1u 

France il. l'~poque tertiaire, vol. 2, p. 338, pI. 11, fig. 1, 1865. 
MALVALES 105 

to range from truncate to faintly, retuse, the present 

figure illustrating the extreme of variation of this feature. Another feature, now well known, appears to 

b(l the distal continuation of the midvein as a small 

m.ucronate point. The new material is from the Holly 

Springs sand at Puryear, flenry County, Tenn., where 

the type material was collected. 

Reynosia praenuntia longepetiolata Berry, n. var. 

Plate 46, figure 1 

This variety occurs with the type and 'may be simply 

tl variant of that species. It differs, however, in its 

more regularly obovate outline, being widest above the 

middle, in its slightly more pointed apex with a mucronate tip, and in its stouter midvein and more regularly curved' secondaries. The petiole is also much 

stouter and longer. In the largest leaf of. Reynosia 

praenuntia the dimensions are: Length, 6.25 centimeters; maximum width, 2.5 centimeters; and the 

petiole is about 8 millimeters long. In the new variety 

the dimensions are about 5 centimeters in length, 2 

centimeters in maximum width, and the exceedingly 

stout petiole is 1.5 centimeters long. 

Occurrence: flolly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Order MAL V ALES 

Family TILIACEAE 

Genus GREWIOPSIS Saporta 

Grewiopsis elegans Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 18, figure 5 

Leaves of medium size, ovate, widest at or belo\\ the 

middle, narrowing upward to the acute tip and to a 

slight. extent downward to the broadly rounded and 

cordate base. These leaves are short petiolate, the 

stout enlarged petiole being 4 millimeters in length. 

The forn1 is somewhat inequilateral, the lamina being 

about one-sixth wider on one side than on the other. 

The margin is somewhat irregularly and coarsely dentnte. Texture subcoriaceous. Length about 10 centimeters; maximum width about 5.5 centimeters. Midrib stout, prominent. Secondaries thin, pinnately 

arranged, prominent; about eight pairs diverge from 

the midrib at somewhat irregular intervals at angles 

of more than 450 ; curving but slightly in their outer 

courses, camptodrome well within the margins, and 

sending off well-marked tertiary branches to the tips 

of the marginal teeth. The internal tertiaries consist 

of thin veins at approximately right angles to the 

secondaries, which either inosculate midway betwee~ 

the secondaries or are separated by a tertiary that 

extends outward from the midrib, resulting in an open, 

roughly rectangular areolation. 

This species adds a well-marked type of this genus 

to the 'Vilcox flora, in the original account of which 

a single Populus-like species was recognized. 

The present· species approaches the ForG Union 

species described by 'Vardss as· Grewia pealei, differing 

principally in the much shortened petiole, in the less 

ascending secondaries, and in the form, direction, and 

size of the marginal teeth. It is also much like a 

group of species from the Fort Union formation of 

the western United States, which 'Vard referred to 

the genus Oelastrus. 

The present species is clearly related to existing 

species of G1'e1via, and it would do little violence to 

the evidence to have referred it directly to that genus. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County: Tenn. 

Grewiopsis wadii Berry 

Plate 40, figure 2 

Gre~VicJ1)8i8 'I.G((cW Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 92, p. 

179, pI. 52, fig. 1, 1924. 

This species was described as follows: 

A leaf which when mature was about 8 centimeters in 

length by about the same. in maximum width, distinctly trilobate in aspect, although there are no pronounced sinuseR 

between the lobes terminated by the lateral primaries and the 

lobe terminated by the midrib. Texture subcoriaceous. ~argin has shallow, broad dentate teeth, each with a cl'aspedo~ 

drome vein. Venation stout and prominent on the under side 

of the leaf. Primaries three, subbasal. The lateral primaries 

give off several secondaries on the outside and at least one 

about halfway above the base on the inside. The tertiaries 

are pr(Jminent and prevailingly percurrent. The young leaves 

are elliptical or cordate in outline, relatively more elongate, 

and with smaller or obsolete teeth. 

I ca,n not discern any reliable features by which 

the material collected from the Wilcox of western 

Tennessee can be distinguished from the type which 

came from the Jackson of western I\::entucky. There 

is great uncertainty as to the real botanic affinity 

of the various forms that have been referred to 

Grewiopsis, and I am not at all sure that they are 

interrelated. The most that can be said is that the 

present species and Grewiopsis claiborniama Berry of 

the Claiborne Eocene are congeneric. They show a 

certain resemblance to various forms from the Fort 

Union formation of the western United States that 

Ward referred to Grewrio psis , the specific names of 

which-platani/oZiaJ, vibwrnifolia, and populifoli(J)-

are a sufficient index of the uncertainty in the mind 

of their describer regarding their botanic affinity. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Thompson & 

Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of Mcl{enzie, Carroll County, Tenn. 

33 Ward, L. F., U. S. Geol. Survey Sixth AnD. Rept., p. '555, pl. 55, 

figs. 1-3, 1886. 
106 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Grewiopsis tennesseensis Berry 

Plates 15 and 16 

Gl'ewiopsi8 tennet8seen8is Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 91, p. 285, pI. 64, figs, 4, 5, 1916. 

. A large amount of material representing this speCIes has been collected since it was described in 1916. 

These specimens illustrate a considerable variability 

in form and marginal character and especially in size. 

Complete petioles ~re missing, but lengths as much 

as 3 centimeters are preserved. The outline varies in 

general proportions and in the nature of the apex and 

base. The apex is invariably acuminate but is commonly prolonged as a long, slender, entire-margined 

acumen like that shown in Plate.. 15, Figure 1. The 

base may be cuneate, truncate, rounded, or slightly 

cordate. The margin varies from nearly entire 

through crenate to serrate, with all large or all small 

teeth, or with alternations of large and small teeth, 

and appears to bear no relation to the size of the 

leaves. 

The greatest variation is shown in the size of these 

lea ves. Some are as small as 3.5 centimeters long by 

3.1 centimeters in maximum width. The largest observed was 15 centimeters long and 12.5 centimeters 

in maximum width. 

The venation appears to be rather constant in its 

major features, as shown by the more adequate illust.rations given in the present publication. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation. about 1 mile 

north of Somerville, north of Lo~sahatchie River 

(very common), and 1.2 miles south of Somerville , Fayette Coun,ty, Tenn. Holly Springs sand, Bolivar, 

west of hospItal, Hardeman County, Tenn, ~ Sohler-· 

ville-Jackson road, 314 miles northeast of Somerville, 

Fayette County, Tenn.; also common . in Fayette 

County 1 mile southwest of Grand Junction, HardeUlan County, Tenn. 

Family BOMBACACEAE 

Genus BOMBACITES Berry 

Bombacites eocenicus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 36, figure 8 

Leaflets relatively large, slightly inequilateral and 

falcate, obovate, with an acuminate tip and a narrowlv 

cuneate extended, slightly decurrent base. Rather thi~ 

but stiff in texture. Margins entire proximad, with 

small straight-serrate or dentate teeth distad, Length 

. from 7 to 12 centimeters; maximum width sliO'htly • ' b above the mIddle, fr0111 2.8 to 4.25 centimeters. Petiolule short and very stout, about 0.75 centimeter lonO" in 

the largest leaflets. Midvein stout, curved, promi;ent 

on the under side of the leaflet. Secondaries of mediulll caliber and prominence, numerous somewhat . ' lrregularly spaced, camptodrome, varying considerably in their angles of divergence. Tertiaries relatively prominent, 'forming large curved-sided blocks 

internally and camptodrome arches marginally. 

Short branches from the camptodrome arches enter 

the marginal teeth. Areolation fine, isodiametric . 

This species has the generic characters of the two 

previously known Wilcox species which have been referred to Bombaaites. It differs from Bomba<Jite8 

!ormosus Berry 34 in its prevailingly larger size, 

greater width, more numerous and prevailingly more 

a,scending secondaries, and nlore numerous marginal 

teeth.' It differs from B O1nbacite8 1.cilcoxianu8 Berry 85 

in being broader, with a shorter and stouter petiolule. 

The secondaries are camptodrome farther from the 

margins and the margin is more prominently and regularly toothed, as it is only at the extreI11e tip in 

B 011'bbaeite8 wtilcoxianu8. ~ . 

It is assumed from the form and from the characters 

of the existing species of Bomb(WJi and its allies that 

the present material represents the leaflets of a digitately compound leaf, although only these detached 

leaflets have· been found. It agrees closely with the 

leaflets of certain existing species, which nlay be en-· 

tire or toothed, as, for example, Bom.baw gla'ltce'8clervs. 

Fossil species that are very similar have been recorded 

from both the European and American Tertiary. The 

genus B(Y!nbaw, which in this hemisphere has been 

recorded from the Miocene of Chile and Ecuador and 

the Pliocene of Brazil, is found in the warmer reO"ions . 0 

of all the contInents except Europe, although the majority of the 50 or more existing species are American. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Bell City Pottery 

pit and 100 yards east of it, Calloway County, Ky. 

. Bombacites formosus Berry 

Plate 47, figure 2 

Bombacites formosus Berry, U, S, Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 289, pI. 75, fig. 1, text fig. 15, 1916. 

The specimen from Puryear here figured is somewhat larger than the type, with which it agrees perfectly in its other features. The present figure shows 

the peculiar margin and the character of the venation 

much more clearly than the former figure. 

The species is sparingly represented in the Wilcox 

being known from only the two localities cited below: 

but these are widely separated geographically so that 

its distribution must have extended at least ar~und the 

head of the embayment between Tennessee and 

Louisiana. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, of ""Vilcox group, 

Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 'Vilcox formation, 

Mansfield, La. 

84 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geo!. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p, 289, pI. 75, 

fig. 1, 1916. 

85 Idem, p. 291, pI. 75, fig, 2, 
MALVALES 107 

Family STERCULIACEAE 

Gen us BUETTNERIA Lofting 

BueUneria eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 18, tlgure 4 

Helntively small leaves, broadly ovate, with an acute 

ti p and a broadly rounded base. ~{argins entire, 

somewhat irregulur in that they are constricted in two 

or three places. Leuf substance thin. Length ubout 

4.25 centimeters; maximum width, in the lower half 

of the len.f, ubout 3.75 centimeters. Petiole missing. 

~iidrib extrHordina.rily stout throughout its length, 

prominent on the lower surfuce. Secondaries medium 

!::itout, prominent; about six opposite to alternate pairs 

diverge from the midrib at somewhat irregular interVlth; at angles of nbout 55° to 60°; these, except the 

l.msul puir, are comparatively straight and subparaliel 

Hnti are cnmptodronie close to the margins. The basal 

vail' are opposite, diverging near the base of the midrib; they curve parallel with the lower leaf margins 

but al'e in no sense lateral primaries or pseudoprimaries; they give off four or five mostly regularly 

curved, cnmptodrome tertiaries on the outside. The 

internul tel'tiuries are thin but well marked, percurrent 

in some interspaces; in others they may anastomose 

midway between the secondaries; and in other areas 

they may be divided by a branch from the midrib or 

froni n superadjacent secondary. 

The characters of this small ieaf are somewhat contl'udictory. At first sight it suggests a species of 

Ficus, which relationship, it seems to me, is negatived 

by the venation. ~t has also suggested comparisons 

with vurious Leguminosae, particularly trifoliate 

fot'llls of Papilionaceae, and here again the venation is 

not characteristic of such a relationship. The sum of 

its features uppeul'S to indicate a relationship with the 

genus B1..lettnel"ia" which' comprises about 50 existing 

species, mostly confined to the warmer parts of the 

'Vestern Hemisphere, although there are a few in the 

Ohl 'Vorld Tropics. In America the genus Buett11l'l'ia ranges from the Antilles southward to Argentina and consists, for the most part, of climbing herbs 

and shrubs, although there nre a few arborescent 

species. 

The fo!:;sil. record of the genus is very imperfectly 

known. There is n large species in the Jackson fornuttion of centrnl Texns and nn unquestionable species 

in the ~{iot'ene of Costa Ricn and Colombia, a very 

<loubtfully determined form in the :Miocene of Florissunt, Colo., and n third in the Miocene of Europe. It 

Sl'eIllS very probable that other fossil representatives 

of this genns have been collected but have remained 

lllll'eeognized, the tendency of workers to consult pichU'es of fossils rathel' than the leaves of existing 

species resulting in the perpetuation of most original 

errors of identification. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. . 

Genus STERCULIA Linne 

Sterculia zavalana Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 18, figm'e 3 

Leaves small, trilobate, with linear acuminate lobes, 

narrow ultimately rounded sinuses, and cuneate base. 

~{argins entire. Texture coriaceous. Length about 

4~5 centimeters; maximum width 2.75 centimeters. 

The lobes are somewhat unequally developed, the 

median being twice as wide and considerably longer 

than the lateral lobes.' The sinus on one side reaches 

two-thirds of the distance to the base and that on 

the other side only a trifle over one-half the distance 

to the base. Petiole. is stout, about 1 centimeter in 

length. The three p"l'iluaries diverge at acute angles 

from the base and are stout and prominent, the median 

being stouter than the laterals. No trace of secondary 

or tertiary venation can be observed, owing probably 

to immersion in the coriaceous leaf substance. 

As most lobed Sterculias are variable in fol'lu and 

number of lobes this species may have had 4-lobed or 

5-lobed leaves, but only trilobate forms have been 

collected. It is smaller and markedly distinct from 

t.he other two 'Vilcox species of Steraulia. On the 

ot.her hand, its characters suggest that it may have 

descended from the Upper Cretaceous species Sterculia mi11fil1UL Berry 36 of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, 

which is the smallest of American Cretaceous species, 

It also resembles Ste1'aulia mi.tc1·onata Lesquerellx 37 

t)f the Dakota sandstone. 

Occurrence: Carrizo sandstone, east bank of N ueces, 

5 miles N. 30° E. of La Pryor, Zavala County, Tex. 

Sterculia wilcoxensis Berry 

Plate 26; Plate 27, figure 5 

Sterculia 1Hwyearensis Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, pI. 72, fig. 3 (not other figures of this species), 1916. 

Sterculia 'Wilcoxensis Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

131, p. 17, pI. '14, figs. 1, 2; pI. 15, figs. 3, 4, 1922. 

This species was separated from Sterculia puryearensis on the basis of smaller size, narrower and more 

conical lobes, trilobate form, and minor differences in 

venation. Recently collected niaterial is somewhat 

variable and larger but preserves the distinctness emphasized in 1922, although the variability <,>f leaves of 

Sterculia in respect to lobation is well known, and the 

possibility should be borne in mind that the extremes 

86 MIll'yland Geol. Survey, Upper Cretaceous, p. 857, pI. 80, figs. 1-3, 

1016. 

B7 Lesquet'ellX, Leo, U. S, Geol. Survey Mon, 17, p. 182, PI. 30, flgs, 

1-4. lR92. 
108 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX F:hORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

of variation in the fossil form· may really represent· a 

single botanical species. 

The maximum size observed in Sterauilia wilcowensis 

is a length of 23 centimeters and a maximum width of 

12 centimeters. In these larger forms the lobes become somewhat ovate, and in the larger specimen figured there is a rounded swelling on one side, suggesting an incipient fourth lobe. The base is invariably 

characteristically cuneate, and the lateral primaries 

are suprebasilar, both of these features being in striking contrast with these features in Stercndia puryearensis. 

There is another feature of this species to which attention should be called. Ster()UZia wilco'(1]ensis is intimately associated with the leaves that I have referred 

to Ficus mississippiensi8. At the horizon near the top 

of the cut at Pine Top, Tenn., both are present in 

greatest abundance and scarcely anything else is associated with them. The venation is practically identical in the two-the sole difference being that one is 

~ntire and other trilobate. In view of the fact that 

Ficus mississippiensi8 departs slightly from the venatiOli typical of Ficus and that several existing Sterculias have a venation approaching FiCUB, as, for example, the existing Sterculia maarophylla, there is a 

possibility that what in the Wilcox flora is called 

Ficus wis8i8sippiensis, and which incidentally is exceedingly abundant, widespread, and variable in form~ 

may really represent the entire leaves of SterC"lilia 

wilcowensis. 

The leaves of Stercnilia W'ilcowensis figured in the 

present connection show a considerable superficial resemblance to various .fossil leaves that paleobotanists 

have referred to A1'alia and Sassafras. The hemlike 

veins in the sinuses are features especially associated 

with lobed Sa8safra8 leaves, but they occur in other 

genera, Arto'carpu8 for example, and can not outweigh the gradational series of leaves of the present 

species of Sterculia ending in rhombic conical lobed 

forms. The secondary venation is also that of 

StercUlia and not like that of Sa8safras or Aralia. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, big cut on Gulf, 

Mobile & Northern Railroad at Pine Top, Hardeman 

County, Tenn. 

. Sterculia knowltoni Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 46, figures 9, 10 

Leaves variable, relatively small, palmately lobed, 

with three to five principal lobes and a varying number of acuminate serrate lobules; the central lobe no 

larger than the lateral lobes; the lobules absent or' 

present on both sides of the central lobe, generally on 

but one side of the adjacent lobes, and this is as commonly the distal as the proximal side. The two halves 

of some leaves differ.in this feature, the lobules being 

generally absent on the distal side of the lateral lobes 

and generally pl!eSent b~t absent in a few specimens 

on the basal side. The lobes may be conical acuminate, 

as in the small specimen figured from the pits of the 

Bell City Pottery, where they are broadly conical, and 

the sinuses are open and shallow and extend about onethird of the distance to the base, or they may be narrower and separated by correspondingly narrowly 

rounded sinuses that extend half the distance to the 

base. The margins are otherwise entire, and the texture is coriaceous. The base may be broadly rounded 

or even slightly cordate; more. generally it is truncate 

and slightly decurrent. Length from 4 to 7 centimeters; maximum width fronl 5 to 8 centimeters. The 

petiole is usually missing; in a minimum-sized specimen it is stout and preserved for a length of 2 centimeters. Primaries three to five, diverging at acute 

angles from the top of the petioie, the midrib the same 

size as the laterals but the basal pair of laterals usually 

thinner than the three main primaries; they are prominent on the under side of the leaf. The secondaries 

are rather widely spaced, thin and more or less immersed in the leaf substance, and camptodrome, except 

that each lobule that is developed has a craspedodrome 

secondary. The tertiaries are obsolete by immersion. 

Like most living and fossil species of Sterculia the 

present species is variable in' outline. It is exceedingly common at certain localities in the upper' part 

of the Mississippi Gulf and may represent the snlaller 

and more variant leaves of the two larger forms recorded from the "Vilcox. All are abundant at some 

localities, and the present. form h~s not been observed 

at the localities where the others occur. In addition 

to the method of occurrence and the smaller size the 

following differences may be pointed out: Ste1'c'ulia 

uilcowenBis Berry is normally three-lobed and the 

smaller leaves are deeply divided, with narrow lobes, 

no lobules, a cuneate base, and numerous well-developed camptodrome secondaries. Sterculia puryem'-

ensi8 Berry has broadly ovate conical, not acuminate 

lobes, of which the central is invariably the largest, . 

no lobules, and numerous well-marked camptodrome 

.secondaries. In the light of the material studied there 

can be no doubt of the distinctness of the present 

species, which is accordingly named in honor of Frank 

fl. ICnowlton. 

Among pre~iously described species of Ste1'cuZia 

from other parts of North America, the only one that 

is similar is Sterculia berryana Knowlton,88 of the 

Raton formation. That species is somewhat larger 

than Sterculia knowltoni, with a predominant central 

lobe and correspondingly differentiated midvein and 

88 Knowlton, F. H., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 101, p. 337, p1. 

102, figs. 3, 4, 1917. 
MALVALES 109 

with but two lateral primaries; the base is conspicuously cuneate and decurrent and the secondaries are 

long and ascending, diverging at much more acute 

angles. 

Both this 'Vilcox and the Raton species just mentioned greatly resemble the widely distributed American Upper Cretaceous Ste1'C1.IJlia 171fUcro'/W;ta Lesquel'eux 30 of the western interior region, and both may be 

the modified descendants of this Cretaceous form; in 

that event, this would be one of the relatively few 

Wilcox species whose origin was western rather than 

southern. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Holcomb property, 2 miles south of Pa.ris, Henry County, Tenn.; 

"Vill Brooks farm, 2.1 Iniles northwest of Mercer, 

Madison County, Tenn.; 2 miles southeast of the town 

of Spring Creek, Madison County, Tenn.; 100 yard.s 

east of the pits of the Bell City Pottery, Calloway 

County, I(y. 

Sterculia pUl'yearensis Berry 

Plate 24 

Stol'o1tlia 1Ht1'ycal'cnsis Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 280, pI. 72, fig. 2 (not fig. 3) ; pl. 73, fig. 1; pI. 74, 

fig. 4, 1916. 

The specimen figured herewith, from the Holly 

Springs sand west of Bolivar, shows a nearly complete 

leaf of this species of the type shown in Plate 14, 

Figure 4, of Professional Paper 91, and represents 

the narrowly lobed form in contrast with the broader 

lobed forms like that shown in Plate 13 of Professional Paper 91, which last is exceedingly like the 

existing Ste1'culia platooifolia Linne son, of southern 

China, that is widely planted in the warmer parts of 

the United States as an ornamental tree. The leaf 

from the locality west of Bolivar has the complete 

petiole p.reserved, and this is 11 centimeters in length. 

The present species is sparingly represented in the 

Wilcox but is widely distributed, being found in both 

the eastern and the western Gulf areas. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, of 'Vilcox group, 

Grenada, Miss. Holly Springs sand, of Wilcox group 

west of hospital, Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Puryear, H~nry County, Tenn. 'Vilcox formation, 

N aborton, La. 

Genus STERCULIOCARPUS Berry 

Sterculiocarpus sphericus Berry, n. sp. 

Plnte 25, figure 19; Plate 48, figures 9-14 

C~1psnlar frnits, apparently indehi'scent. Approximately spherical in form and borne on a vel:y stout 

peduncle, which in some specimens as compressed is 

6 millimeters in diameter and 1.15 centimeters in 

length. Size variable, some specimens (presumably 

IJO Lcsql1ercl1x. Leo, U. S. Gool. Survey :\Ion. 17, p. 182, pI. 30, figs. 

1-4, 1801 (1892). 

immature or abortive) being but 7 nlillimeters in diameter; the majority as preserved in a more or less 

flattened condition are close to 2 centimeters in diameter. These fruits are not uncommon at a number of 

localities in the upper part of the Holly Springs sand 

and in the Grenada formation. The preservation is 

various; some, such as the specimen shown in Plate 25, 

Figure 19, are slacked carbonized inclusions necessarily doubtfully determined; others are flattened 

casts without ~rapes of carbonaceous residue; others 

found in more lignitic argillaceous layers are rather 

well preserved. The broken specimen shown in Plate 

48, Figure 10, has five cavities with stout partitions 

and a stout wall. These fruits were therefore ligneous at maturity and were probably many seeded, although this last sta.tement is inferential. The apex 

is slightly umbonate in some specimens with very 

clear traces of a pentanlerous stigmatic surface or five 

pistils. The stout peduncle nlerges into the basal 

part of the fruit without preserving any traces of the 

receptacle or accessory flower parts. 

The botanic affinity of these characteristic and interesting fruits is not determinable with absolute certainty. Fruits of similar structure characterize numerous genera in the order Malvales, especially in the 

families Sterculiaceae and Ternstroemiaceae, particularly in the former family. This resemblance seems 

close enough to justify their reference to the fOrIn 

genus Stercu7;ioc(Jff'pUs,. and although doubtless they 

represent a different Eocene genus of Sterculiaceae 

than the twol previously described species in that 

genus, it seems preferable not to multip(y generic 

terms without sufficient evidence. 

Accordingly these fruits are considered to represent 

a third type of sterculiaceous carpellary remains in the 

'Vilcox flora-obviously different, but with the same 

type of organization as Sterculiocarpus eocenic'Us 

Berry 40 and S. sezannelloides Berry. 41 There is also 

a family likeness to the beautifully preserved form 

from the " Paleocene" of France described by 

. Viguier 42 under the generic name of Sezannella. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn.; Grable and Atkins pits, Henry 

County, Tenn.; 4 miles north of Jackson, on ~10bile & 

Ohio Railroad, Madison County, Tenn. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn. 

Genus PTEROSPERMITES Heer 

Pterospermites d. P. minor Ward 

A single specimen' from the Wilcox appears to represent this species, but· as the distal part of the leaf 

is gone, considera.ble uncertainty attaches to its identi-

~o Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 288, pI. 74, 

figs. 1--3, 1916. 

41 Idem, pl. 72, figs. 4-6, 1916. 

4.2 Viguier, Rene, Rev. g~n. botanique, vol. 20, pp. 6'-13, p1. 5, figs. 

1-7, 10, 1908. 
110 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

fication. There is also considerable uncertainty regarding the generic identity of the type material, 

which might readily be referred to other genera than 

Pterosper?7&ites. 

Pte'l'osperntites m.inor was described by Ward 43 

fronl Inaterial coming from the Fort Union formation 

of Montana, and it was subsequently recorded by 

Knowlton from the Lance formation of that State. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2lh 

miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Order PARlE TALES 

Family TERNSTROEMlACEAE 

Genus TERNSTROEMlTES Berry 

Ternstroemites crassus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 28, figures 1-3; Plate 38, figure 3 

Lea yes large, of coarse. texture, with inordinately 

stout petioles and nlid veins, linear lariceolate. The 

acute tip shown in the figures is an assumption, for the 

apex is missing in the specimens. Base broadly cunea.te or rounded, decurrent at the petiole. Margin 

toothed. Teeth varying from minutely serrate to 

aquiline serrate. Texture coriaceous. Length (estimated), 15 to 20 centilneters; maximum width o~­

served, 5 centimeters. The petiole is about 3 centImeters long, expanded at its base, and about 5 millimeters in diameter. The midvein is very stout and 

prominent, out of all proportion to the size of the 

leaf or the rest of the venation. Secondaries stout 

but relatively thin, rather· equally spaced, numerous: 

they diverge from the midvein at rather wide angles, 

which are at least over 45° and average about 70°; 

their general course is outward with but slight upward 

curvature until the marginal region is reached, where 

they are camptodrome. The tertiaries are thin and 

mostly subparallel with the secondaries. 

This characteristic fo~·m. adds a fifth species of the 

family Ternstroemiaceae to the Wilcox flora. It is 

unfortunately very sparingly represented in the collections. It differs from the other four 'Vilcox species' 

in its greater size, coarser texture, more obtuse base, 

longer and stouter petiole, much stouter midvein, linear 

form, more close-set, and serrate teeth. 

The form shown in Plate 38, figure 3, must be regarded as anomalous. In all its features exce.pt form 

it is identical with the nopmallinear lanceolate leaves, 

but it is bifurcate, the upper ovate portion being separated from the basal obovate portion by an interval 

of naked mid vein about 1 centimeter in length. 

The accompanying attempted restoration is hypothetical only as regards the tip of the leaf. 

48 "-ard, L. F .. U. S. 'Geol. SUl'vey Bull. 3;, p. 95, pI. 42, figs. 1-3, 

ISS;. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Fayette County, 

Tenn., 1 mile southwest of Grand Junction, Hardeman County; west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Ternstroemites lanceolatus Berry' 

Plate 44, figure 18 

Ternstroemites lanceo'la·f1t8 Berry, U. S. GeoL Survey Prof. 

Paper 91, p. 296, pI. 77, fig_ 5, 1916, 

The specimen from the Atkins pit here figured has 

more the form of the associated T el"nstro'emites OVoJtu,'1 

Herry and may possibly represent a variant of that 

species. It is unusually short and broad for Telrmst'roe1nites lanceolaJtu.s but has the same acuminate tip, 

marginal teeth, and venation. It. is quite possible 

that T. lanceolatus and T. ovatu8 may represent the 

extremes of variation of a single Wilcox botanic species. The present form is found at a number of 

localities near the top of the Holly Springs sand and 

in the Grenada formation, all confined to the eastern 

shore of the Wilcox Mississippi Gulf. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Grenada, ]\iiss.; 

Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, 

Tenn.; Puryear and Atkins pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

The accompanying restoration of Ternstroemites is 

a combination of the large flower described as A ntholithes ternstroel1doides Berry and the most abundant leaf species of T ernst'J'OMnrites associated with it 

in the deposits at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

These leaves, described as Ternstroel11ites eoli{/n!itic"'U8 

Berry, are exceedingly abundant, and their variatione 

are those illustrated. 

There are three other types of Te'J"l1J8troenlfites leaves 

found at Puryear, but they are less common than 

Ter'J1Jstroemites eolignitiGU8, although the flower might 

pertain to one or the other of these rarer species, or, 

as the specific. differences between the leaves are 'not 

very great, one or more of them might be considered 

to represent the variants of a single botanical species. 

In any event the restoration gives a rather accurate 

idea of the appearance of this exceedingly common 

lower Eocene type of plant. (See fig. 26.) 

Family FLACOURTlACEAE 

Genus BANARA Aublet 

Banara eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 45, figu'l.'e 17 

'Leaves of medium size, ovate, nearly parallel sided~ 

but slightly wider below than above the middle and 

tapering more distad than proximad. Tip narrowly 

rounded. Base cuneate. Texture thin but stiff and 

subcoriaceous. Margin wi th remote and irregularly 

spaced teeth, which range in form from slight dentat.ions to serrate; the margin is entire at the extreme 

base and for a considerable distance in the tip. Length, 
• 

·PARIETALES 111 

about 9 centimeters; maximum width about 2.5 centimeters. Petiole very stout, about 1.8 centimeters in 

length. Midvein stout, prominent on the under side 

of the leaf, curved, scarcely diminishing distad. The 

busnl secondaries are about half as stout as the midvein, prominent on the lower surface; they diverge 

from the midvein at acute angles at the top of the 

petiole, ascending about one-half the length of the 

lenf, where they arch along the tips of small laterals 

from the superadjacent secondaries; this basal pair of 

o 

v('rse and subsecondary veins within some of the other 

secondaries. :Marginally all of the laterals form a 

diminishing series of arches, and from certain of these 

short curved nervilles proceed into. the teeth. The 

areolation is for the most part indistinct but consists 

of a fine and iIi the main isodiametric polygonal mesh 

exactly like that of the existing Ban.a1'a 1'eticulata 

Grisebach of the Bahamas. 

After an extended comparison with recent material 

I can see no reason for doubting that the present speFIGURE 26.-Restoration of TenlstroemUes 

~wcon(hll'ies might well be called lateral primaries, for 

their angles of divergence, length, and direction are 

quite different from the foul' other pairs of subopposite to alternate secondaries; th~se diverge at angles 

nbout twice those of the basals and curve upward in 

broad and rather regular cumptodrome arches; they 

are remote and somewhat irregularly spaced. The 

tertiary venation comprises a series of approximately. 

transverse inosculating veins between the subprimaries 

and the midvein, a somewhat similar pattern within 

some of the secondaries, and a combination of transo 

cies represents an Eocene form of Banm'a. A number of recent species might be enumerated that are 

rather close to the fossil, especially in their venation, 

which seenls to be characteristic. Among these might 

be mentioned B anara vande1'biltii Urban of Porto 

Rico and Bana1'a 1'eticuZata Grisebach, already mentioned. The second is a glabrous form and the first is 

more or less pilose, especially on the veins on both surfaces. On the whole Ba1U1J)'a 1'etimilata is extremely 

close to the fossil, even to the prevailingly curved midvein and hence slightly unsymmetrical outline. 
112 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Occasionally the large genus Viburnum has species 

with leaves something like the fossil, as for example 

the Asiatic species V iburnwm propinqwu1n Hemsley 

and Viburnum foetidwn Wall var. rectang,u;lu1n Graebner, but the resemblance is not at all close. In general the leaves of Viburnum have more numerous and 

more ascending secondaries and the distal ones are 

ascending like, the basal ones. Those leaves that approach the fossil in appearance are also more distinctly 

ovate in outline. I have been unable to find any species of Viburnum from Mexico, the Antilles, or South 

America that was anything like the present fossil 

form .. 

The genus Bama1'a contains about a score of existing species of trees ranging from the Bahamas through 

the Antilles and from Mexico through Central America to Bolivia, southern Brazil, and Paraguay. They 

are for the most part tropical but ascend to altitudes of 

6,500 feet in Colombia, which brings them well within 

the subtropical altitudinal zone. 

But few fossil species have been referred to the 

family Flacourtiaceae, largely, I imagine, because the 

foliar characters are less well known to paleobotanists 

than the more familiar .forms of the North Temperate 

Zone. 

Engelhardt 44 has recorded a species of B anara 

from the lower Miocene of Chile, and I have recorded 45 a second fossil species from the ~1iocene of 

Patagonia. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand: Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn.; and west of Bolivar, Hardeman 

County, Tenn. 

Family OCHN ACEAE 

Genus OURATEA Aublet 

Ouratea eocenica Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 45, figures 1-3 

Leaves of medium size, ovate ~anceolate, with a 

gradually narrowed acuminate tip and'a more abruptly 

narrowed acuminate base. Margins entire at the 

base; above with dimorphic, closely spaced, aquiline 

serrate, and commonly bluntly pointed teeth. As normally developed the alternate teeth are twice the size 

or their alternates. In one specimen and its counterpart from the Foundry Church pit, thes~ teeth are developed to an abnormal degree, the larger being at 

least three times the sizes of the smaller, and many 

of them extended as a scimitar-shaped tooth 5 to 7 

millimeters in length and 1.5 millimeters in maximum 

width. The leaf substance is thin. Length about 15 

centimeters; maximum width, slightly below the mid44 Engelhardt, Hermann, Senckenberg. naturf. Gesell. Abh., Band 16, 

Heft 4, P. 667, pl. 8, figs. 2, 4, 1891. 

45 Berry, E. W., Johns Hopkins Univ. Stud:es in Geology, No.6, p. 

220, pl. 6, fig. 1, 1925. 

dIe, about 4 to 5 centimeters. Petiole stout, striated, 

its length unknown. l\1idvein stout, prominent, striated. Secondaries thin, numerous, fairly regularly 

spaced at intervals of 4 to 6 millimeters; diverging 

from the midvein at angles of about 60° to 70°, subparallel, camptodrpme. Tertiaries characteristic, thin, 

numerous, closely spaced, prevailingly somewhat flexuous, obliquely perclJrrent, their direction approximately at right angles to the midvein, occasionally 

forking or anastomosing, generally brol{en by longer 

or shorter veins from the midvein subparallel with the 

secondaries. The terminal camptodrome arches of the 

secondaries send curved craspedodrome tertiaries to 

the tips of the marginal teeth. 

This form is, a characteristic and readily recognizable type of leaf, and I know nothing in the fossil 

record exactly like it, although it somewhat resembles 

certain leaves from the ~1iddendorf formation of the 

Upper Cre~aceous of South Carolina that were referred with a great deal of uncertainty to Salix. 40 

The figured specimen with the proliferated teeth is 

one of the most curious of the numerous exceptional 

leaf specimens found in the 'Vilcox deposits of western 

Tennessee. 

These leaves exhibit features which ally them with 

the modern toothed leaves of the genus Ouratea of 

Aublet, which as lnonographed by Gilg in Die nati.irlichen Pflanzenfamilien is made to include. G01nphia, 

OchJJ,(J), and other groups. It' comprises shrubs and 

trees, mostly tropical, which Gilg segregates into two 

sections. The first, N eoourate(J), contains upward of 

100 American species; and the second, Palaeoou1'atea, 

includes about 30 Old 1Vorld form~ of Asia and 

Africa. The American forms are largely South 

American, but the genus is well represented in Cent.ral America and the Antilles. It seems to me probable that N eoouratea and Palaeoouratea are less closely 

related than Gilg assumes, and it is by no means clear 

that the generic term Owratea should not be restricted. 

to the American forms. 

Even if thus restricted Ouratea shows considerable 

-variation in its leaves, some of the Antillean specie~ 

having entire leaves anel other leaves in which the 

marginal teeth have become so prominent that the 

lpaves suggest flex opaca. The majority, however. 

have the facies of the present fossil. A great nlany 

have smaller and more uniform teeth, but there is a 

marked tendency for thenl to be dimorphic, as, for example, in Ourate(J) tue1'ck'hei1nii Donnell Smith. O. 

podogyna; Donnell Smith, and O. w1ightii (Van 

Tieghem) Riley; all Central American forms, and O. 

co,st(J'fMafolia De CandolIe, a South American form. 

40 Berry, E. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 84, p. 34, pI. 8, figs. 

10-12, 1914. 

• 
• 

LAURALES 113 

Ou'ratea fw'rightii, which is a shrubby form of wet for'- '1 

ests, is identical with the fossil except that the'.'distal ' 

part of th~ secondaries is more ascending in the recent 

lea ves. All the recent toothed forms have the char'3Jcteristic tertiary venation shown by the fossil. . i": ' 

I know of no other family with leaves of exactly 

this type. Certain members of the Flacourtiaceae are 

similar in size and marginal features, but the tertiary' 

venation, when pel'current, is more open and at right 

angles to the secondaries instead of thin, closely spaced: 

and at right angles to the lnidvein, as in Ou'ratea~ 

Furthermore, in the Flacourtiaceae the leaves tend. to 

be ovate in outline and usually more or less trip almately veined from' the base. 

r consider the identification of this 'Vilcox type as 

rather conclusively established, and it is of.unusual 

interest to find it in the upper part of the Mississippi 

Gulf during the Eocene and also to find it more like 

the Central and South American existing forms than 

it is like those of the Antilles. It seems to me that 

the 'Vilcox type is the more primitive type,. as are the 

Oentral and South American forms, and. that the, 

Antillean types are later and derivative. 'I 

This conclusion is also in harmony with the idea 

derived from the Eocene flora of southeastern North 

America as a whole-that the existing flora of the 

Antilles is less like that of South America than was 

that of the Tertiary. 

r know of no previous occurrences of Ouratea in the 

geologic record, unless G017~phia fi'lvmifolia Engelhardt 47 from the lower 1\1iocene of Chile represents 

it, which is not improbable. 

A leaf from the Lisbon formation (of the Claiborne group, middle Eocene) of Mississippi, described 

by me as a leaflet of Oreopanaw,'s is luuch like Ouratea and may well have been wrongly identified. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Foundry Church 

pit, Henry County, Tenn.; Thompson & Barksdale 

prospect, 2 miles south of McI(enzie, Carroll County, 

Tenn.; Huckleberry Schoolhouse, 2Y2 miles south of 

McLemoresville, Carroll County, Tenn. ; Grenada 

fOl'lnation, 2.9 miles southwest of Somerville, near 

1\10ses Hall, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Family GUTTIFERAE 

Genus CLUSIAPHYLLUM Berry, n. gen. 

Clusiaphyllum eocenicum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 1S, figUl'e 2 

This fine and botanically characteristic species is 

unfortunately based solely upon ,the single imperfect 

fragment figured, and it is much to be hoped that 

41 Engelhardt, Hermann, Senckenberg. llutUl·f. Gesell. Abh., Band 16, 

I:Icft 4, p. 675, pI. 11, fig. 6, 1891. 

additional and more complete material will: be discovered. 'Vere it not for the fact that it adds a 

distinctly new type to the Wilcox flora and that its 

inclusion in the family Guttiferae is indisputable, no 

attempt would have been made to describe it. Rather 

tlian attempt the uncertainty of correct generic deturmination a new form genus, Oltwsiaphylium, is 

erected for its reception, the name denoting the family 

to which it belongs; since Clusiaceae is used about as 

often as Gut~iferae for the family and is probably 

more in keeping with the taxonomy of family names 

if such can b~· . considered to be governed by any 

canons of nomenelature. 

The specin1eri may be incompletely described as follo~s: Leaves large and coriaceous. r judge from the 

contour of the margin and the direction of the veins 

that it was· elliptical' rathel' than obovate in outline, 

as are so many' modern Clusias, but'it may have been 

more or less oblong in outline and rounded or pointed 

at, one or both ends. Dimensions can only be estimate'd, but the leaf can hardly have been less than 

20 ' to' 25 centimeters in length, and the maximum 

width must have exceeded'13 centimeters. The margin is entire, fuil, and evenly rounded. The secondaries are relatively thin and immersed in the leaf 

substance; they diverge from the midvein at wide 

angles, approaching 90°; they are closely spaced 

and subparallel, rather straight until they approach 

the margin, ge~erally inosculating, especially distad. 

About 1.5 millimeters within the margin their ends 

are connected by a well-developed marginal vein, 

which is rather evenly curved parallel with the leaf 

margin but occasionally shows arching from secondary 

to secondary. 

As has already been pointed out, this specimen has 

the venation characters of the Guttiferae, among 

which resemblances to various existing American 

genera might be pointed out. This is reserved, however, until such time as more complete material will 

render it more profitable. 

Occurrence: Wilcox formation, sec. 10, T. 14 S., 

R. 21 'V., Nevada County, Ark. 

Order LA URALES 

Family LAURACEAE 

Genus CRYPTOCARYA B. Brown 

Cryptocarya wilcoxiana Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 18, figure 1 

Leaves large, ovate, widest below the middle. Apex 

acute, not extended. Base broadly rounded, slightly 

emarginate at the top of the petiole. Margins entire, 

full, slightiy undulate. Texture coriaceous. Length 

about 13 centimeters; maximmn width about 6.15 centimeters. Petiole very stout, expanded base, 4 centi- (8 Bel'l'Y, B. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 92, p. 88, pI. 22, figs. 

S, 4, 1924. I meters in length. Midrib very stout, curved, promi-
114 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

nent on the under side of the leaf. Lateral primaries 

subopposite and suprabasilar, stout, diverging from 

the midrib at angles of 45° or more, curving upward 

subparallel with'the lower margins, becoming thin and 

brachiodrome close to the margins about two-thirds 

of the distance to the tip. Secondaries stout, 5 or 6 

alternate pairs; diverging from the midrib at angles of 

45° or more, slightly irregularly spaced, but regularly curved and subparallel, camptodrome. Tertiaries relatively stout; percurrent in the marginal regions where the secondaries converge;' internally forming an inosculating mesh of more or less percurrent 

loops and stout rapidly diminishing branches froni 

the midrib. On the outer side of the lateral primaries 

there is a series of stout camptodrome branches. The 

venation in the base as shown in the figure is typical. 

Areolation open, thin but well marked. 

The present species is very similar to C'J>y.ptocarya 

eoligniti(J((; Hollick of the upper Wilcox of Louisiana, 

and the two may possibly repi'esent the same botanical 

species. The Tennessee form is, however, ovate rather 

than oblong in shape, is much wider, with a <~touter 

petiole nearly four times as long, with an emarginate 

instead of a decurrent base, with m9re numerous and 

more regular second~ries, and with considerable differences in the disposition of the tertiaries. The two 

appear to represent distinct bat rather closely related 

speCIes. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Illinois Central 

Railroad north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Genus CINNAMOMUM Blume 

Cinnamomum ovoides Perkins 

Plate 19, figure 1 

Olntnanwmum (YVoides Perkins, Vermont State Geologist Rept., 

1903--4, p. 199, pI. 79, figs. 104, 107, 1904. 

This fruit appears to be identical with the remains 

from the lignite of Brandon, Vt., described under 

this name. I much doubt its relationship with Ciwna-

'JnO'lWUm but have no especially constructive remarks 

to make on the subject, for it resembles fruits of various unrelated modern genera and fossil references. 

It appears to me to be a stone, and its chief interest is 

its presence at Brandon and in the Wilcox. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, lignite seam, Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

Cinnamomum affine Lesquereux 

O'innamQnllUm affine Lesquereux, Am. Jour. Sei., 2d ser., vol. 

45, p. '206,1868; U. S. Geol. and Geog. Survey Terr. Ann. 

Rept. for 1869, p. 96, 1869; Idem, for 1872, p. 383, 1873: 

Idem for 1874, p. 401, 1876; The Tertiary flora, p. 219, 

pI. 37, figs. 1-4, 7 (not fig. 5), 1878. 

Knowlton, U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 152, p. 68, 1898. 

BelTY, U. S. GeoI. Suryey Prof. Paper 91, PP. 13, 299, 

pJ. 3, fig. 2, 1916. 

This species was described by Lesquereux from the 

Denver formation of Colorado. It was subsequently 

Tecorded from the Midway (?) formation of central 

Texas and from several localities in the upper 1Vilcox 

of the western embayment in Louisiana and Texas. 

Various authors have mentioned the difficulty of specific' separation in dealing with the polynl0rphous 

leaves of CinnanW7nuVJ11-<,· Seward even expressing a 

doubt of the possibility of distinguishing the genus 

from certain unrelated genera, among which he mentions Zizyphrws, OOCeulu8, Vibu'J>nwm, and St'Joycnno8.49 

Several additional genera might be mentioned, and it 

is undoubtedly true that this uncertainty exists when 

dealing with incomplete or poorly preserved material, 

and this criticism is appropriately applied to a number 

of records of supposed Cinnamomums in the literature of paleob~tany. 

However, I think that it has little point in connection with complete and well-characterized material. 

On the other hand, specific limits within the genus are 

always more or less indefinable. There are two general methods of attack., The first is that of most of 

the older authors, in which no difficulty was seen in 

considering superficial resemblances in material from 

any part of the world or from any geologic horizon to 

warrant the conclusion of specific identity. 1Vhatever 

botanic interest this method may seem to have, it is 

obviously of but slight value in relatioJ;} to questions 

of floral evolution and completely divorces the subject 

of any geologic value, in that the elements of both 

time and space are treated as if they were nonexistel1t. 

The second and, on the whole, the more scientific 

method consists in the drawing of very fine l~nes of 

separation among fossil forms, in considering that 

analysis must precede synthesis, and in insisting that 

the factors of time and place ha~e a mos~ important 

bearing, even in cases where these can not be evaluated, 

as, for example, in such presumably polymorphous and 

cosn;l.Opolitan forms as have been called Glypto8trobw 

europae'ltS, Taxodiu'J1L dubiu'Jn, Sequoia lan,gsdorfii, 

and Diospy'r08 brac7~ysepala. 

For some forms, as in those cited above, the liIl,es 

of separation can only be implied and not proved; in 

others a more scientific study will demonstrate actual 

differences. All this is relevant to the genus Cinnamomu'Jn, and especially to the group of forms that 

appear to me to be ancestral to this early Eocene 

species that has been ca.lled Cinnarmomu'In affine. 

There is present throughout the Upper Cretaceous 

of North America, both in the Atlantic Coastal Plain 

a.nd in the western interior, a Oinna'l7wmum,-like leaf 

which has been called Oinnamwmum newbe'J"'f'yi Berry, 

as well as by several other nali'1es. It occurs in Greenland and possibly in the European Upper Cretaceous. 

I have recently discussed this form at considerable 

., 40 Seward, A. C., Roy. Soc. London Philos. Trans., ser. B, vol. 215, 

p. 123, 1926. 

• 
LAURALES 115 

lellgth,11O and there is no need of repea.ting its supposed 

geographic and geologic ra,nge in this connection. 

As it is abundant and typical in the latest Upper 

Cretaceous (Ripley formation) of the Gulf embayment region, one is inevitably led to consider that it 

stands in nn ancestral relntionship to the Eocene 

species OinnOlln01nwm affine. If foliar fossils are 

worth anyth'ing they S~lOw that thi~ type of Oinnal1w-

'1n'I.I/Jn was holarctic in its distribution during the 

Upper Cretaceous; that during that time it spread 

from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts of North America and reached Europe, either through Asia or thf>. 

Arctic; that it was the progenitor of this Wilcox and 

Denver species in the United States; and that in all 

probability the European OinnamO'ln'Ul1L sezannense 

'V'ateleC of the" Paleocene" took its 'origin in this 

common ancestral stock. 

As previously stated, this is not a· common 'Vilcox 

type, being confined to the western' shores of the :Mississippi Gulf and appearing in those beds in central 

'I'exas which I would rega.rd as ~1idway in age. In 

conformity with this distribution is its presence in the 

basal Eocene of the Rocky Mountain region. 

Cinnamomum buchii Beer? 

90, pI. 95, figs. 1-8, 1856. 

OinnamOllW!IIb bll,chil Beer, l!'lorn tertiaria Belvetiae, vol. 2, p. 

Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Puper 91, p. 299, 1916.~1 

This species was identified by Hollick in 1899, in 

a collection of Wilcox plants from Coushatta, La., 

and, as I stated in 1916, I retained the name because 

it had been so used, although I have never b.een able 

to discover any reason why Heel' differentiated Oin-

'1"/..a11W1nfl(!ln buclllii and Oinna11W'In'l.l1n spect(J)bile. They 

surely represent a single bota.nical species, both are 

recorded with a considerable stratigraphic range, and 

in Europe are especially characteristic of the late 

Oligocene and basal Miocene, although the former has 

been recorded from the upper Eocene of Italy and 

I(nowlton recorded the latter from beds of Fort 

Union age in the Yellowstone Park. This last record 

,vas based upon a single incomplete specimen,52 and I 

doubt if the form bears any relationship to Oinna-

'1nO'ln'UmL spectabile or even represents the genus Oin-

'1ta'l1W'In'U/In. 

As regards strict priority the name buchii precedes 

specf;(J;bile in Heer's work and should therefore be 

adopted if the two are considered identical. Granting 

that this is true, it is difficult to visualize the present 

form from the lower Eocene of southeastern North 

America as representing the very much younger Euro110 Berry, E. W., Tbe flora of the Ripley formation: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 136, pp. 75-77, 1025 . 

. ~ Tbe synOllymy of this species Is given in the paper cited. 

~a Knowlton, Ii'. H., U. S. Geol. Survey Mon. 32, pt. 2. p. 727, pI. 94, 

flg. 6, 1899. 

pean Tertiary type, and I ha.ve not the slightest doubt 

but that distinct botanic species are represented. The 

European name is, however, retained pending a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. 

This species is one of the very few Wilcox species 

that has been found a.t but a. single locality, and this 

fact alone would lead me to suspect that its peculiar 

form represented merely an abnormality of no systematic significance were it not for the fact that it 

appears to have been the end product of Upper Cretaceous ancestors in this same region. I refer to a Oin-

'lWllW'InU1r!J discovered in the Ripley, or latest Upper 

Cretaceous formation of the Mississippi Gulf, and 

which I described recently 53 as OiAunamom,u111 praespectabile. This form was a medium to coarse, apiculate type, obviously related to the Wilcox form that 

masquerades under the name Oinnamo'll1'1.l·l1'b buchii. 

I am inclined to think that by reason of their age 

and geographic range both of these forms represent 

distinct but affiliated species, although, judging by 

what is exemplified in most recent species of Oinrn(J)-

'11W'InU'ln, as, for example, in Oinna'lJ1)o'lnu'm cmnphora 

Nees and Ebermaier, a single species may vary greatly 

in relative width from lanceolate to very broadly 

ovate-Ianceolate, and the broader they. become the 

more pronounced becomes the tendency for them to 

be apiculate and similar to the fossil forms mentioned 

above. 

Genus PER SEA Gaertner 

Persea fructifera Berry, n. sp •. 

PIa te 33, figure 17 

The single specimen that constitutes the type of this 

species is clearly referable to the Lauraceae and appears. to represent the fruit of one of the Wilcox species of Persoo' that have been described from the 

lea.ves. The fruit is of considerable consistency, fusiform in shape, bluntly rounded at the apex, and about 

1.7 centimeters in length by 9 millimeters in maximum diameter. The persistent receptacle shows no 

divisions, is rhomboidal in outline, ligneous in texture, 

and about 2 millimeters long by 3 millimeters in diameter at. its upper border. The peduncle is stout and 

curved, about 1.5 centimeters in length. 

Several other lauraceous fruits have been described 

fr0111 the Wilcox and referred to the noncommital 

form genus L{fJU'l"US, but the present specimen is so like 

certain modern fruits of Pe'l'sea, as well as fossil 

forms referred to that genus by Heel' and others, that 

it. appears safe to refer it directly to Pe1'8ea. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

D3 Berry, E. W., Tbe flora of the Ripley formation: U. S. GeoI. Survey 

Prof. Paper 136, p. 7, pI. 17, figs. 4, 5, 1925. 
116 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Genus NECTANDRA Roland 

Nectandra wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp .. 

Plate 40, figures 5, 6 

I have brought together as representing a new 

species of Neotam.dra an abundant series of leaves from 

the later "Vilcox which differ in outline between wide 

limits but which agree closely in texture and venation. 

In some features they resemble known species but 

differ from all these in the important feature of venation, which unites them as representing a hitherto undescribed form. 

Leaves exceedingly variable in size and outline, 

ranging from lanceolate leaves with acuminate ends, 

like those of N ectandra pseudocoriacea Berry, to 

broadly lanceolate large forms, like the larger leaves 

of LVectandra lanaifolia (Lesquereux) Berry. Widest 

in the middle region. Tips and base invariably acumina te and usually considerably extended. Texture 

coriaceous. Margins entire, inclined to be undulate. 

Length from 10 to 20 centimeters; maximum width 

from 1.75 to 5.5 centimeters. Petiole stout, of unknown length. Midvein stout, prominent on the 

under side of the leaf. Secondaries not especially 

stout, but prominent. They are numerous and subparallel, rather regularly and, for the genus, closely 

spaced, diverging from the midvein at acute angles, 

which are naturally wider in the wider leaves', ascending in sweeping camptodrome curves. The secondary 

and tertiary venation are the constant features among 

& large number of otherwise variable specimens. The 

tertiaries are thin but prominent, prevailingly at right 

angles to the secondaries, and closely spaced; they 

usually anastomose in the median region between adjacent secondaries, but one fork is generally thinner 

than the other, so that in appearance they seem to be 

somewhat irregularly percurrent. The areolation is 

distinct, prominent on the under side of the leaf, and 

typically lauraceous. 

As already indicated, this. species in some' of its 

variants is superficially like one or' the' other. of the 

previously described species of N ectandrra that have 

been found in the Wilcox, of which six are known. 

The smaller leaves are almost identical in form with 

l'lectanar{]) psevilocoriacea Berry, but the secondaries 

are much more ascending, and the tertiary venation is 

more prominent and differs in the minor particulars 

mentioned above. All the other previously described 

fornis have fewer secondaries. The larger leaves have 

~Ill outline like N ectandra glenni, which has few irregularly spaced secondaries and different tertiaries and 

areolation. N ectomdra lmnaifolia has more numerous 

secondaries than N ecta:ndra glenni. It is relatively 

slightly shorter and broader than the new species and 

also differs in tertiary venation. Oreod{])phne rndssissippiensis Berry and ill espilodaphne eolignitica (HolIjck) Berry from the Wilcox have similar outlines to 

some varieties of the present species, but both differ 

decidedly in their venation. Only the smaller and 

narrower forms have been figured, but the larger and 

wider keep the venation pattern constant and are 

l'eadily distinguished from all the numerous species 

of Lauraceae that l~ave been found in this flora. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

Nectandra parvula Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 46, figures 3, 4 

Leaves small, broadly lanceolate, generally falcate 

and often slightly inequilateral, widest medianly and 

tapering with full and rather evenly rounded margins 

to the· equally acute apex and base. Texture coriaceous. Length from 3.25 to 5.25 centimeters; maximum width from 1.1 to 1.5 centimeters.' Petiole short 

and stout, 4 or 5 millimeters in length. ~fidvein stout, 

curved, prominent on the under side of the leaf. Secondaries stout, prominent, six or seven opposite to 

alternate pairs, generally unequally spaced, diverging 

from the mid vein at angles of about 45°, regularly 

curved ascending, camptodrome. Tertiaries typically" 

lauraceous, well marked. 

This small form differs from all the other "Vilcox 

species of Lauraceae not only in size but in its symmetrically lanceolate form and nonextended tip. The 

specimens have every appearance of maturity and are 

too numerous to. be interpreted as unusually small 

lea ves of one of the previously des~ribed species. 

Superficially these leaves are more like the leaflets of 

Oassia faye'tte1UJis Berry than they are like any of the 

other members of the Wilcox flora. They differ but 

slightly from this species in fornl but have a stoutel', 

and more, prominent venation-primary, secondary, 

and tertiary-and this is decisively lauraceous and not 

leguminous. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Cottage Grove,. 

Henry County, Tenn., 

Genus OREODAPHNE Nees and Martius 

Oreodaphne inter media Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 29, figures 8, 9 

Leaves of small to medium size, narrowly ovate-

] anceolate to ovate, widest below the middle, tapering 

upward gradually to the obtusely pointed apex. Base 

broadly rounded, slightly decurrent proximad. Margihs entire. Texture subcoriaceous. Length 6.5 to 7 

centimeters; maximum width 1.7 to 3.5. centimeters 

but generally narrower than this maximum. Petiole 

long and stout, not preserved for its complete length. 
LAURALES 117 

Midvein stout and prominent. Lateral primaries or 

basal secondaries stout, prominent, one on each si de 

diverges from the midvein at an acute angle, at its 

base, and joins a branch of the lowest secondary near 

. the margin in the median part of the leaf. Secondaries thin but well marked; about 4 pairs diverge 

frOlu the midvein at generally wiele angles, curve regularly upward, and are camptoc1rome;. four or five 

laterals leave the outside of the lateral primaries at 

acute angles and are camptodl'ome. The tertiary venation pet'current at approximately right angles to 

the secondaries in the usual generic manner. 

These generally narrow, stiff, and long-petioled 

le·aves are of a type frequently seen in fossil and living' 

species of o '1'eo dap nne. In some respects they suggest 

certain fossil forms that have been referred to the 

genus Oinna'l7W1nWl'n, as well as certain living Old 

World species of the genus Litsea.o 

The genus O'l'eoriaphne is well represented in the 

large display of Lauraceae found in the Wilcox. 

Among previously described forms of this genus 

from beds of this age the present species is approached 

by two-O'l'eodapll,ne salinensis Berry 54 and Oreodaplllne pm'yea'l'ensis Berry.55 These forms are both 

larger leaves, widest medianly and narrowing almost 

equally to the apex and base. The first is relatively 

more elongate and with a shorter petiole; the second 

is broadly lanceolate instead of ovate lanceolate and 

the basal secondaries have not assumed the character 

of lateral primaries; it has, however, the same long 

petiole and the same textural and venation facies as 

011eodapl/,'J1e inte?'1nedia, which I regard, as the name 

indicates, as intermediate in character between these 

two previously described species, but one, however, 

that is specifically distinct. 

O'l'eoclapAne inte'J'1nedia is not uncommon in the 

upper "Vilcox of western Tennessee. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar; 

Mill Creek; Bolivar-Jackson road just north of Clover 

Creek; all in Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Genus MESPILODAPHNE Nees 

Mespilodaphnc coushatta Berry 

i1fcspiloclaphne co1tshatta Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 307, pI. 80, fig. 6; pI. 87, fig. 3, 1916. 

Specimens of this species from the locality cited below have quite different proportions from those previously collected, being 7 centimeters in length and 4 

centimeters in maximum width. Otherwise th,ey are 

identical :with the type. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Atkins pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

G' Bony, Ill. \V., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 303, pI. 82, 

figs. 1, 2, 191(}. 

GIl Idem, p. 301, Pl.. 83, fig. 1. 

Genus LAURUS of authors 

Laurus collinsi Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 19, figure 2; Plate 49, figure 9 

It is not surprising that with so many species of 

Lauraceae in the Wilcox occasional specimens of 

flowers and fruits should be collected. Flowers were 

described .from Tennessee in 1916,56 and in a more rec:ent publication 51 very typical fruits ~re described 

from Louisiana.. It is usually impossible to identify 

such fruits generically, and they are therefore referred 

to the form genus LOJUrus, which is not used in the 

botanic sense in which it is applied to recent species. 

The present species represents a second 'Vilcox species of lauraceous fruit and is named for the collector. 

It may be characterized as follows: . 

The whole fruit fusiform in shape, consisting of two 

parts-a prominent cupule formed by the accrescent 

calyx with its short and stout peduncle, and the inclosed berrylike fruit. The fruit is a considerably 

prolate spheroid, 8 to 9 millimeters in length by about. 

4. millimeters in maximum diameter, and is about half 

buried in the thick-walled cupule. The whole f.ruit 

including the peduncle is about' 1.4 centimeters in 

length and 5 millimeters in maximum diameter. 

There can be but slight doubt as to the propriety of 

referring this form to the Lauraceae, but its proper 

generic relationship can not be determined. It might 

represent any of the genera that are represented by, 

foliage in the Wilcox flora. Among the fruits of recent species it is much like those of Sa8saf'l"aS, although 

I do not regard this as of more significance than showing the general family likeness. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, at western edge 

of La Grange, west of road and south of Southern 

Railway, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Laurus hardemanensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 19, figure 3 

A ~hird 'Vilcox species of fruit .. of some species of 

Lauraceae is represented by the cupule shmvn in the 

accompanying illustration as viewed from the proximal end. This cupule is relatively thin, ligneous, 

deeply excavated, slightly roughened, with a pronounced pedunclar scar and traces of a 6-parted 

small calyx. Its generic relationship is uncertain. 

Occurrence: HolLy Springs sand, big cut on Gulf, 

~10bile & Northern Railroad at Pine Top, Hardeman 

County, Tenn. 

66 Berl·Y. E. W., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 313, pI. 86, 

figs. 5, 6, 1916. 

07 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prol'. Paper 131, p. 18, pI. 16, 

figs. 2-7, 1922. 

, 
118 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Order MYRTALES 

Family MELASTOMATACEAE 

Genus MELASTOMITES Unger 

Melastomites ovatus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 19, figures 4, 5 

The present species differs but slightly in general 

outline from M el(J)8tonuites aJlnericafrtus Berry, 58 which 

is common at a number of localities in the middle and 

upper "\Vilcox. It is, however, conspicuously different in venation. It is somewhat wider and less elongate, with a shorter and stouter petiole. The charac-' 

teristic features of venation are the four acutely diverging and pseudo-acrodrome primaries from the 

base, which are subparallel with the margins, and the 

'presence of an alternate pair of secondaries in the 

lower half of the leaf, which diverge from the curved 

midvein at very acute angles and which are acrodrome 

or are prevented from being strictly acrodrome by the 

i!1terposition of a small curved secondary in the tip 

of the leaf. The tertiaries are thin, angularly anastomosing, and prevailingly transverse. None of the 

ve~ation is prominent. 

A comparison of the illustration of the venation of 

this species with that in the published figures of M elastonLites a1nerica11!Us will show how strikingly different 

these two forms are in the characters of their venation. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, at western edge 

of La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Melastomites verus (Berry) 

Oinmal1nomwn 'l)era Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 297, pI. 79, figs. 3-8; pI. 87, fig. 4, 1916. 

Further comparison of this species, which has previously been recorded from Oxford and Holly Springs, 

Miss., and Puryear, Tenn., with recent material has 

demonstrated that it is not a Oinnanwm,u1n but is referable to the family Melastomataceae, greatly resenlbling the leaves of the tropical American genus 

Tococa Aublet. 

The venation, especially the number of lateral primaries, is not that of Oinnanw1nu1n. 

Recently collected material shows that the leaves 

were probably hirsute, for the well-preserved impressions in the very fine grained clay show the leaves to 

be covered with uniform and regularly distributed 

dots. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

68 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Pl'of. Paper 91, p. 327, pI. 97, 

figs. 1-3, 1916. 

Family MYRTACEAE 

Genus MYRCIA, De Candolle 

Myrcia vera Berry 

Plate 36, figure 3 

Myrcia v(J}"a Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 314, 

pI. 90, fig; 3, 1916. 

The leaf of this species figured from Carroll County, 

Tenn., differs from the normal in its larger size and 

more falcateiorn~. It is about S centimeters long and 

2.2 centimeters in maximum width, in other respects 

being typical of this species. It is found to be widely 

distributed in the "\Vilcox, being present at that time 

along both the eastern and the western shores of the 

Mississippi Gulf. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Oxford, Lafayette 

County, Miss.; La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn.; 

Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of 

~1cKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn.; Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. Wilcox formation, Boydsville, 

Clay County, and sec. 10, T. 14, S., R. 21 W., Nevada 

County, Ark. 

Family COMBRETACEAE 

Genus COMBRETUM Lofting 

Combretum leve Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 29, figures 3, 4 

Three species of Oombretwm, in addition to flowers 

described as 001nbretanthites, have been recorded from 

the Wilcox. The present species adds a fourth wellcharacterized form, which may be described as follows: 

Leaves of medium to large size, ovate, with an acute 

tip and a broadly rounded or broadly cuneate, slightly 

decurrent base. Margins entire but noticeably undulate. Texture subcoriaceous. Length 12 to 18 centimeters; maximum width, in the lower half of the leaf, 

5.5 to 8 centimeters. Petiole very stout, its full length 

not preserved. Midvein stout, prominent. Secondaries stout, eight or nine 'somewhat irregularly spaced 

pairs, diverging from the midvein at angles of 45° or 

more, curving upward parallel with the lateral margins, along which they form loops. Tertiaries fairly 

stout but largely immersed, partly percurrent and 

partly inosculating midway between the secondaries. 

Areolation obsolete. 

This species resembles somewhat Oom,bretum obovale Berry, differing from that form especially in the 

wider base and pointed apex and the more asce~ding 

s(:condaries. 
MYRTALES 119 

Occurrence: IIolly Springs sand, Smiths Church, 

three-fourths mile northwest of Pattersonville, Fayette 

County, Tenn. Grenada formation, Somerville-Willjston road, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Com bretum wilcoxense Berry 

Plate 31, figure 2 

Combl'etmn 'lvilo(XJ)(MtSi.s Berry, U. S. Geo1. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, 1). 321, pI. 89, figs. 1, 2, 1916. 

The specimen here figured, found west of Bolivar, 

shows the observed limits of narrowness and ovateness 

in this species. The species was described originally 

froni Puryear and has been found to be sparingly represented but rather widely distributed in the ""Vilcox, 

occurring in both the eastern' and the western Gulf 

llreas. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar 

and doubtfully 2~ miles north of Shandy, Hardemun County, Tenn,; lY2 Iuiles northeast of Williston, 

Fayette County, Tenn.; Puryear, Henry County, 

Tenn. Carrizo sandstone, 5 miles northeast of La 

Pryor, Zavala County, Tex. 

Genus LAGUNCULARIA Gaertner 

Laguncularia preracemosa Berry 

LaguHoularia pl'e1'a0e7nOsa Berry, U. S. Gool. Survey Prof. 

Paper 91, P. 320, pI. 95, figs. 4-8, 1916. 

Both the foliage and the associated fruits of this 

species were described from the Holly Springs sand 

in 1916. These materials are now combined in the 

restoration shown in Figure 27, which is based on the 

habit of the existing LagunC1.daria 1'aCe1JLO'sa Gaertner, 

for which the fossil species w'as named. 

The small size and lack of carpellary swelling of 

t.hese fruits suggest that they were probably immature, 

but they have not been mqdified from their actual 

fossil condition. 

Genus TERMINALIA Linne 

Terminalia vera Berry 

PI ute 49, figures 21-27 

TOl'mina1-ia, vera Berry, Torrey Bot. Club Bull., vol. 53, p. 61, 

figs. 1-5, 1926 .. 

This species is based upon the rather abundant 

winged fruits of a Te~r111!inalia, which may very well 

represent one of th~ described "Vilcox species based 

npon foliar remains. It may be described as follows: 

Fruits elongate, bialute, elliptical in outline, pedunculate, consisting of an axial thickened fusiforlu seed 

eavity, ligneous in appearance as preserved as a carbonaceous impression. This seed cavity extends from 

the urea near the base almost to the tip of the fruit and 

occupies from one-third to one-half of its transverse 

diameter. The wings are scarious, very finely veined, 

truncate or rounded proximad and more or less emargjnate distad, with. entire margins. The venation is 

thin and largely immersed in the wing substance; it is 

reticulate throughout and apparently all of one caliber; over the seed cavity it is prevailingly longitudinally elongated,' the long axis of the meshes curving 

outward toward the margins of the seed cavity, where 

t.hey pass outward onto the wings and are there transyerse below, becoming more ascending toward the tip 

of the fruit. 

FIGURE 27.-Restoration of Lagullcularia premcemosa 

Berry 

These fruits. vary considerably in size and in the 

degree of elongation of their ·elliptical outline. The 

peduncle is short, stout, generally curved and about 

4 millimeters in length; it is usually broken off before 

fossilization but is preserved in some specimens. The 

whole fruit ranges from 1.7 to 3.5 centimeters in length 

and fronl 1 to 1.5 centimeters in maximum width, 

which is midway between the apex and the base. 

These fruits are reac1ily distinguishable from the 

somewhat similar Wilcox, fruits, which have been referred to Ptelea, DoilkmllJea, and Oarpolithus prango'-

soides Berry, and there is not the slightest doubt 

that they represent the genus Terminalia. 
120 THE LO'WER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

This genus comprises over 100 existing species, 

which are usually segregated into four sections according as the fruit is fleshy, ligneous, or variously 

winged. The present fossil form obviously belongs in 

the species. All of the American bialate forms that 

I have seen have the wings tr~nsversely extended so 

that the fruits are much wider than high. On the 

other hand, existing forms with the proportions of 

FIGURE 28.-Restoration of Terminalia from the Wilcox 

the section Diptera, which is represented in modern 

floras in South America, Asia, and Africa. 

I have nladecomparisons with. as many winged 

fruits of Term.inaJlia as I had opportunity to study, 

although I have only seen about 10 per cent of all 

. these fossils are to be found in both African (for example, TeT1ninalia brownei Fresen of Abyssinia) and 

Asiatic species (for example, Terminalia marlingii 

MeiTill of ·the Philippines). In fact, the last is 

extremely close to the fossil. 'Vhether the greater 
M1.'RTALES 121 

resemblance of this Eocene form to exist.ing African 

and Asiatic forms has any significmnce, or whether 

there are existing American forms with fruits of this 

character I can not say-I have not seen any. 

A considerable number of fossil forms have been 

referred to Te1"lrllinalia. These species have usually, 

although not entirely, been based upon leaf remains. 

In southeastern North America two species based upon 

Restorations have been attempted of two species of 

Te'l"'minalia based upon two species of foliage and two 

distinct types of fruit. As there is no evidence to 

show which type of leaf was associated with the 

winged and which with the nutlike fruit, the restorations are, to this extent, uncertain. 

The leaves of l'ermirnalia lesleyana (Lesquereux) 

Berry are common in the Ackerman formation and 

FIGUREl 29.-Restol'atlon of Terminalia ft'om the Wilcox 

leav.es and a third, based upon fruits of the OOJt(J)ptp(J; Holly Springs sand of the eastern embayment and 

type, have already been described from the Wilcox in the middle or upper Wilcox of the western embaygroup (lower Eocene). There are two additional leaf ment. 'Vith this foliage I have associated the winged 

species in the Claiborne group (middle Eocene), and Te'l'minaliaJ fruits described as Terminailia vera Berry, 

one of these continues into the Jackson (Upper which are common in the upper part of the Holly 

Eocene). \ Springs sand in northwestern Tennessee and western 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Qrable pit and Kentucky. (See fig. 28.) The habit is based on the 

Puryear, Henry County, Tenn.; Thompson & Barks- existing Terminalia chebula Retz. 

dale prospect, 2 miles south of McI{enzie, Carroll The second restoration (fig. 29) is based upon the 

County, Tenn.; 100 yards east of Bell City Pottery :foliage described as Terminailia hilgardian(JJ (Lesquepit, Calloway County, Ky. reux) Berry, a common foliar type from the bottom to 
122 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

the top of the Wilcox from Mississippi to Texas. This 

form is combined .with the nutlike fruits described as 

Ter'l7Linalia w'ileowiana Berry, which is associated with 

this type of foliage at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

The habit is based on the existing T er'l7~i'JU.flia eatappa 

Linne. 

Order UMBELLALES 

Family ARALIACEAE 

Genus OREOPANAX Decaisne and Planchon 

Oreopanax wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 20; Plate 21, figures 1-4 

Leaves relatively small, with long, stout petiole. 

Lamina palmately divided by deep sinuses into two 

to five lanceolate lobes. These lobes are widest 

medianly, tapering to the acute tips and proximad 

to the narrow sinuses. lVlargins strictly entire and 

evenly curved. Leaf substance fairlv stiff but not 

thick. The lobes ·increase in size fro~ the lower laterals to the terminal median one. In the nearly perfect specimen of this species from Tennessee figured 

the dimensions are: Terminal, 8.5 centimeters long by 

1.9 centimeters wide; int~rmediate, 7.25 centimeters 

long by 1.9 centimeters wide; lateral, 5.5 centimeters 

long ~y 1.6 centimeters wide. 

An incomplete specimen from Texas also figured 

has but four well-developed lobes, one lateral being 

nluch reduced and the other represented by an acuminate projection from the intermediate. Th~ dimensions of this specimen 'are: Terminal, 2 centimeters 

wide; intermediate, 1.4 and 2.25 centimet~rs wide; and 

lateral, 9.5 millimeters wide. . 

The distal parts are gone, so lengths can not be 

given but are comparable to those given for the specimen from Tennessee, except that the lateral is only 

about 3.5 centimeters in length. One fragmentary 

specimen has a median lobe 11 centimeters Ion fY and . b 

3 centimeters wide. 

The deep sinuses in both specimens ·narrow toward 

the base, so that the margins of the lobes may overlap 

slightly; they extend to less than 1.5 centimeters of 

the top of the petiole, giving the specimens the .appearance at first sight of being compound and well illustrating the way the sections Lobatae and Digitatae 

of the genus Oreopamaw intergrade. 

The two-lobed, three-lobed, and four-lobed specimens are all smaller than the five-lobed, which may 

be considered the normal form of the species, whereas 

the two, three, and four-lobed forms may be regarded 

as young or impoverished leaves. The smallest threelobed specimen, which is but 2 centimeter8 in length 

and 2.75 centimeters in maximum width, has relatively 

wide lobes and an incipient basal lobe on one side and 

would doubted less grow into a normal four-lobed or 

five-lobed leaf. The three-lobed leaves are all relatively small but not uncommon. In. these leaves the 

lateral lobes may be widely spread 'or ascending. 

Specimens showing each extreme are figured. 

The petiole is stout and was presumably long, but 

is only preserved in lengths of 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, and 

2.75 centimeters. 

The primaries diverge from the top of the petiole 

and are as numerous as the lobes. They diverge at 

acute angles and in the normally five-lobed leaves 

the laterals are almost exactly at right angles to the 

petiole. They are comparatively straight, stout, and 

prominent on the under side of the leaf. The second~ 

aries are very numerous, thin, subparallel, and camptodrome. 

This characteristic species belongs to the section 

Lobatae, into which 11ar111s segregates the genus O')'eopanaw, thus differing from the two previously de.,. 

scribed Wilcox species, which belong to the section 

Digitatae. In these forms I can see no warrant for 

perpetuating the use of the more or less meaningless 

generic ternl AraldaJ, three species of which have been 

recorded from the 'Vilcox. It is possible, although 

I regard it as improbable, that the trilobate leaf 

from the Grenada formation, which was referred 

doubtfully to Aralia, .jO'l'rJe?U3eni Heel', may represent a 

trilobate form of O'J'eOpa1UlW wilcowe'lU3is. Only a 

complete series of forms would establish this supposition. 

That statements of abundance or rarity of a fossil 

species have to be made with extreme caution is illustrated by the present species, which is based upon 

numerous leaves at one locality in Tennessee, a few at 

a second near-by locality in Tennessee, and a single 

distorted specimen from Texas 850 miles southwest of 

the localities in Tennessee, indicating an abundance 

that must ha.ve been out of all proportion to the specimens discovered. ' 

The section Lobatae of Harms includes a large 

number of the fossil species that have been referred 

to Aralia. It includes more than a score of 

existing species of the A.ntilles and Central and South 

America. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek (common); gully west of ~llinois Central Railroad, 2lJ.t 

miles north of Shandy; Bolivar, west of hospital; all 

in Hardeman County, Tenn. Carrizo sandstone, east 

bank of Nueces River, 5 111iles N .. 300 E. of La Pryor, 

Zavala County, Tex. (collected by G. Jeffreys). 

Oreopanax wilcoxen sis crenulatus Berry, n. var. 

Plate 27, figure 3 

Although several sI>.Jcimens of this form have been 

collected, the only reasonably complete one is that 
UMBELLALE.S 123 

figured. It represents a deeply bilobed leaf, with a 

cuneate base. The stout primaries diverge at an acute 

angle from the extreme base, curving slightly inward 

!lnd constituting the midveins of what practiClally 

amounts to a bifoliate leaf, for the narrowly rounded 

centrul sinus that separates the two lobes extends within a centimeter of the·base. Above the basal part each 

lobe is practically symmetrical and lanceolate or 

Rlightly falcate, rather abruptly acute at the tip. The 

margin, which is entire for the lower third, is beset 

with somewhnt flattened crenate teeth for the upper 

two-thirds of its course, the crenulations dying out in 

the tip. The secondaries are regularly spaced and 

subparallel, diverging from the primaries at angles of 

more than 45 0 ; they are regularly curved and camptodrome. The tertiaries can not be made out. 

There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the 

nature nnd affinities of this form and whether it is 

to be regarded as a characteristic form of foliage of 

some lower Eocene plant or an abnormality, either in 

the form of a crenulated leaf of a normally entire margined form, or a normally bifoliate leaf which is 

partly concrescent, as of a IIY'J7wnaea, for example, or 

a palmately bilobate forIn of a species with normally 

several lobes. An alternative interpretation, which 

has some reasons to commend it, would be to consider 

this form to be an anomalous leaf of Orcopa;naw w·ilcomensis, which is occasionally bilobate, though normally with a greater number of lobes, and this latter 

is the course adopted after much thought. 

O'J'eopanam. is rather common at the same outcrop 

and is variable in the number and development of its 

lobes. The general form, size, texture, and venation 

of these lobes is very close to that of the present va1'iety' and the chief difference is the entire margin of 

the one and the crenate margin of the other, but t~e 

existing species of O'J'eopanaw indicate that this is not 

a bar to relationship. 

The only fossil anything like the .present one is 

Hymenaea p'pimJige.nia Saporta 59 in which the leaflets 

are larger and petiolulate. This is compared by Velenovsky with the existing leguminous genera Hy-

'IJ1.enaea, Bauhinia, and Inga. Another species described by Velenovsky as IlY'J71,enaea inaequaUs 60 is 

entire or sparingly tootheeJ and also petiolulate. Both 

are from the Cenomanian of Bohemia. 

I was at first disposed to refer the present species 

to the form genus LegwmJinO'sites and to point out its 

similarities to HY'lne'lUJJea and B(lfU.hinia, characteristic 

species of both having been found in the Upper Cretaceous of the Gulf Coastal Plain, but after studying the 

le.a ves of both the fossil and existing species of these 

GO VeJcllovsky, Joscf, Die FJol"ll del' bOhmischen Kl'eideformatioll, Teil 

3, p. 0, p1. 5, fig. 4; pI. 6, figs. 1-4, 1884. 

00 Idem. p. 0, pI. 6, figs. 2, 5. 

genera, I have become convinced that the present fossil 

ran not belong to the leguminous alliance, and I have 

given above the reasons, which seem to me sufficient to 

warrant the description of the present form as a variety of the contemporaneous O'reopanam wileoxensis. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 21/2 

miles northeast of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Genus SCEEFFLERA Forster 

Schefflera formosa Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 30, figures 9--12; Plate 44, figure 17 

The leaflets of this species have been under observation for several years, and a large number of leaves 

of existing genera has been passed in revie'w in an 

effort to arrive at their botanical affinity .. A considerable amount of fossil material has been collected, 

and it has been found possible to readily distinguish 

these leaflets from those of the many diverse genera 

with lanceolate or ovate lanceolate leaves that are represented in the Wilcox flora. The restoration of the 

complete leaf shown in Figure 30 is hypothetical with 

respect to the number of leaflets, a somewhat variable' 

feature in the existing species of Salieffiera, and in the 

length of the common petiole. As conceived from the 

analogy of the recent digitate species, it shows a large 

leaf with a long, stout petiole and six long-stalked, 

digitately arranged leaflets. If the leaflets were considered to have numbered from 5 to 7 this restoration 

would probably represent the form accurately. 

The leaflets show considerable variation in size and 

outline, ranging from relatively short ovate-Ianceolate 

forms, through lanceolate to linear lanceolate; they 

are not obviously inequilateral, but one side of the 

lamina is invariably wider than the other. In length 

they range from 5.5 to 15 centimeters. The collection 

contains fragments of leaflets that are broader than 

any of the complete leaflets, but whether these were 

correspondingly elongated can not be deternJned. 

The maximum width is invn,riably in the lower haH 

of the leaflet and ranges from 1 to 3.2 centimeters. 

The base is rounded or abruptly rounded-acute, in 

some specimens slightly inequilateral. The leaflets 

taper upward to an abruptly acute or obtusely pointed 

tip. The margins are entire but tend to be faintly 

to considerably undulate in the larger forms. The texture is subcoriaceous. The petiolules' are stout and 

long; their full extent is preserved only in the ·smaller 

leaflets, where its length ranges from 1.75 to 5 centimeters. Midvein stout and prominent. Secondaries 

relatively thin but well marked, some"rhat remotely 

spaced; they diverge from the midvein at wide angles, 

commonly approaching 900 ; they tend to be relatively 

straight in their early courses, particularly in the 

. small~r leaflets; as they approach the margins they 
124 THl~ LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

sweep upward in broad curves and are camptodrome. 

The tertiaries are thin, percurrent toward the margins, 

but forming an open quadrangular or polygonal mesh 

in the central part of the lamina, where the space between the secondaries is greatest. 

This handsome species adds a striking new element 

t<) the flora of the upper )Vilcox. It is closely simulated by several existing species of Schefllera (=SciadophyllulIL P. Browne), although some of these species tend to have broader, more rounded tips. 

The genus Sohefllera contains a large number of 

widely distributed shrubs and trees in the existing 

flora, where they are confined to the warmer parts of 

u\aURE 30.-Restoration of a complete leaf of Schetflera 

formosa Berry 

America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. There are a 

large number of American species in the region between Mexico and the Antilles on the north and eastern Peru and Brazil on the south. 

Several fossil species of the so-called Aralias have 

been rather qefinitely correlated with Schefllera,. 

These species include a not very decisive form from 

the early Tertiary of western Greenland identified by 

Heer,61 two Oligocene species from France described 

by Saporta,62 and Miocene species in France andBo61 Heel', Oswald, Flora fossilis arctica, Band 2, p. 476, pI. 42, figs. 

6-8, pI. 49, fig. 4e, 1871. 

6:1 Saporta, Gaston de, Etudes Sul' la vegHation du sud-est de la 

France ~ l'ew'que tertiaire, vol. I, pp. 231, 232, pI. 9, figs. 2, 3, 1863. 

hemia described by Saporta 63 and Ettingshausen 64 

respectively. 

All of these show similarities and essential features 

in common with one another and existing species, and 

all are much like the )Vilcox species in general facies. 

Among these S. gaudini is perhaps the most similar 

to the Wilcox form, which may be compared with 

numerous existing forms of tropical America, among 

which may be mentioned ScheflleraJ browvnei, S. rub iginosa, and S. villosa. Only a single specimen 

from the locality west of Bolivar can be considered 

to afford definite proof of the habit. This specimen 

is a small but characteristic leaflet, the petiolule of 

which is attached to a similar petiolule whose leaflet 

is missing. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar 

and on Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn.; Somerville-Williston road, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Sehefflera? elliptiea Berry, lL sp. 

Plate 41, figure 10 

Leaflets small, elongate elliptical, widest medianly 

and tapering slightly to the equally rounded apex 

and base. Margins entire. Texture subcoriaceous. 

Length about 3.5 centimeters; maximum width about 

1.1 centimeters. Petiolule stout, about 1 centimeter 

in length. Midvein stout, prominent, curved. Secondaries numerous, stout, regularly spaced, subparallel, and camptodrome, diverging from the midvein 

at angles between 60° and 70°, and rather straight in 

their courses. Tertiaries thin but well marked, mostly 

at right angles to secondaries and inosculating in the 

middle region between theln but includ"ing some from 

the midvein subparallel with the secondaries. Areolation fine, indistinct. 

~rhis form appears to be congeneric with the wellmarked Wilcox form S chefllera formosa Berry, differing, however, in well-marked specific characters which 

are obvious from ~ comparison of the figures without 

the necessity of enumeration. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Genus ARALIA of authors 

Aralia? semina Berry, n. sp. 

PIa te 8, figures 2, 3 

Seeds small, more or less unsymmetrically elliptical, compressed, longitudinally broadly and shallowly 

ribbed, with about 10 ribs. Length about 3 millimeters; maximum width about 1.5 to 2 millimeters. 

63 Idem, vol. 2, P. 299, pI. 9, fig. 3, 1865. 

64 Ettillgshausen, Constantin VOll, Die fossile Flora des Tet'WirBeckens von Bilin, Teil 3, p. 2. pI. 40, fig. I, 1869. 
UMBELLALES 125 

These seeds are abundant at the locality cited below. 

Although the features shown by the fossils are scarcely sufficient to establish their affinity with certainty, 

they appear to represent the family Araliaceae, and 

they are tentatively so considered and referted to 

,A 'ralia , which must be regarded as a form genus. 

Leaves of several species of Araliaceae, described in 

11 ?'alia, Or'eopanaw, and S cll,eflle-ra are not uncommon 

in the ~Tilcox, and these seeds may represent anyone 

of these. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, pit of Bell' City 

Pottery, Calloway County, I(y. 

Family CORNACEAE 

Genus NYSSA Linne 

Nyssa tennesseensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 19, figure 9 

Leaves of medium size, ovate, widest below the 

middle. Apex acute. Base cuneate, slightly acuminate at the top of the petiole. Margins 'entire, slightly 

irregular-undulate. Texture subcoriaceous. Length 

about 7.5 centimeters; maximum width about B.7;3 

centimeters. Petiole very stout, curved, about 1.5 centimeters in length. Midvein stout, prominent, curved. 

Secondaries stout, about nine irregularly spaced pairs, 

diverging from the nlidvein at varying angles, about 

45° above, greater in lower half of the leaf, camptod rome. Tertiaries mostly obsolete. 

This species appears to be referaple to Nyssa, and 

mnong the few fossil leaves of this genus that have 

been described it is similar to Nyssa lanceoZata 

Lesquereux 05 of the Raton and Denver fprmations of 

Colorado. It differs from that species in its less 

ascending secondaries and more tapering upper half. 

Several typical species of Nyssa based upon characteristic stones have already been described from t,he 

'Vilcox, but this is the first leaf of this genus to be 

recognized; in fact~ leaves of Nyssa appeal' to be gen-

(H'any rare as fossils. Possibly this is more apparent 

thun real and is based on lack of recognition, for the 

stones have been recorded in abundance from many 

geologic horizons ranging in age from Upper Qretaceotls to Pleistocene. A few leaves with approximately 

this same geologic range have been described. 

No stones have been found at this outcrop, bu't they 

arc present at this hori~on in near-by areas. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2% 

miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Il:l Knowlton, Ii'. H., U, S. Geol. SUl'vey Prof.' Paper 101, p. 343, pl. 

108, fig. 1; pI. 113, fig. 2, 1918. 

63757-30-0 

Nyssa curta Perkins 

Plate 19, figure 10 

Nyssa oUll'ta Perk!ns, V~rmont State Geologist Rept., 1903-4, 

p. 199, pI. 79, fig. 111, 1904; Idem, 1904-1905, p. 219, pI. 

57, figs. 4, 6, 1906. 

This supposed species of Nyssa was briefly described 

by Perkins 'from the lignite at Brandon, Vt. It seems 

doubtfully related to Nyssa and is similar to a considerable variety of fossil fruits that have been referred 

to genera like Nyssa, Vibwrnwm, and OO1"nws. There 

is little to be gained by comparing it with a variety 

of fruits in recent genera which it resembles, and its 

FIGURE 31.-Restoration of Nyssa 

chief interest is in its apparent identity with the Bran· 

don fossil. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, lignite seam, Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

The restoration shown in Figure 31 represents a 

combination of the foliage from Mill Creek, Tenn., 

described as Nyssa tennesseensis Berry and drupes 

whose contours are derived from the stones of Nyssa 

colignitica Berry like the PuryeaT specimen shown 

in another publication.oo The flesh is conceIved to 

have been thin, and the large size of the stones suggests a fruiting habit like that of ,the existing Nyssa 

ogeche Marsh or N. aquatica Marsh, rather than that 

of the existing Nyssa syZvatica Marsh or N. biflora 

Walter. The length of the peduncle in the restora06 U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, pl. 99, fig. 8, 1916. 
126 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

tion is problematic and is made intermediate bebveen 

N. ogeche and N. aquatica. The stones of Nyssa are 

not uncommon in the vVilcox deposits, and two other 

nominal species have been described, both considerably smaller than those of Nyssa eolignitica. Those of 

Nyssa wilcowiama Berry are especially common and 

vary greatly in size, some of them approaching Nyssa 

eoli.qnitica but more pointed. It is possible that one 

of these other species of stones belongs to the sanle 

botanic species as the leaves; if so, the restoration 

should be modified by representing the drupes as 

smaller and slightly less spheroidal. 

Occurrence: Wilcox formation, N aborton, La. 

Holly Springs sand, of Wilcox group, Saulsbury and 

west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.; Puryear, 

Henry County, Tenn.;; Bell City Pottery pit and 100 

yards ,vest of the pit, Calloway County, Ky. 

Nyssa wilcoxiana Berry 

Plate 19, figures 6-8; Plate 39, figures 8, 9 

N1J8S(l. wilcoa;iana Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 331, pI. 99, figs. 5-7, 1916. 

This fOrIn shows a great deal of variability and 

possibly represents something more than the normal 

variation of a single botanic species. There are not 

only great extremes in diameter for the same length 

but differences in the prominence of the ribs. 

In the narrow stones, such as those figured from 

Hardeman County, Tenn., the long axis is not straight 

but slightly curved and the two ends are nearly equally pointed. The specimens from Kentucky are' somewllat atypical and are tentatively determined. These 

stones are not found at a large number of localities 

but occur in the Holly Springs sand and its probable 

equivalent in both the eastern and western parts of 

'the embayment and are not uncommon at the localities 

where they occur. 

Superorder G4MOPETALAE 

Order EBEN ALES 

Family EBEN ACEAE 

Genus DIOSPYROS Linne 

Diospyros eolignitica Berry, n. sp. 

. .. Plate 27, figure 4 

Leaves of medium size, ovate-acuminate, widest below the middle, tapering upward to the acuminate' 

apex, the lower margins broadly rounded to the widely cuneate base. Margins entire, evenly rounded. 

Leaf substance rather thin. Length about 12 centimeters; maximum width about 5 centimeters. Petiole 

stout, about 1 centimeter in length. Midvein stout and 

prominent. Secondaries stout, seven irregularly 

spaced and co~rpOl~Jy·.~u~opposite pairs; they diverge 

from the midvein at angles of 45° or more, sweep up-

'ward in broad subparallel curves, and are camptodrome. Tertiaries relatively stout and well marked~ 

forming an open quadrangular or polygonal mesh. 

This is the third species of DiospyVJ'os in the 'iVilcox 

flora bOased upon foliar remains. - The present is readily distinguished from the other two species but is, on 

the other hand, very similar to a number of fossil 

species described from other horjzons, as well as a considerable number of existing species in this large 

genus. . 

Occurrence: 'Vilcox formation, sec. 10, T. 14 S., 

R. 21 'V., Nevada County, Ark. Holly Springs sand, 

of 'Vilcox grOup, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, 

Tenn. . 

Diospyros madisonensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 36, figure 6 

Calyx relatively small, gamosepalous, divided into 

four round-tipped coriaceous veinless lobes about as 

long as broad. Total diameter 1.25 centimeters. 

'Clearly distinct from previously described forms. 

The present form is the second distinct type of 

Dio8pyros calyx discovered in the 'Vilcox, and it is 

readily distinguishable from the rugose calyx of /)iosPY1'OS asper Berry. Leaves or three nominal species 

of this genus are also more or less widely distributed 

in the Wilcox deposits, and although these calices 

probably represent one or the other of these leaf species they are not found closely associated, and there 

is no clue to their interrelationships, so that of necessity all have beeI\ given different names. 

Diospyros calices are not at all uncommon in the 

Tertiary, and a rather characteristic calyx about the 

same size as the present form is found in the Upper 

Cretaceous of the Atlantic Coastal Plain 61 associated 

w"ith the leaves known as Diospyros primaeva Heer. 

In the European Tertiary calices referred to the leaf 

species Diospyro8 brachysepala. are very similar to 

this Wilcox calyx in size and outline, but the sepals 

have mucronate tips instead of being ev~nly 

rounded. 6s 

From the evidence of these two types of Wilcox 

cnlices the Wilcox persimmons had much smaller 

fruits than DiospyrrO's miriflovriamaJ 69 of the Jackson 

Eocene of this general region. A calyx very similar 

to that of Diospyro8 'IrUldi8onen8i8 and considered a 

variety of it, is present in the Yegua formation of 

Texas. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, one-fourth mile 

south of Mandy, Madison COllnty, Tenn. 

67 Berry, E. W., Torrey Bot. Club Bull., vol. 38, p. 418, pI. 19, fig. 5, 

1911. 

68 Heel', Oswald, Flora tertia ria He]vetiae, Band 3, p. 11, pI. 102. 

figs. 10-12, 1859. 

60 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 92, p. 195, p1.40, 

fig. 5, 1924. 
EBENALES 127 

Diospyros asper Berry, n. sp. 

Plnte 25, :ftg~re 32 

Cnlyx relatively small, four-parted, rugose through 

the development of pointed papillae. Divisions wide, 

conically pointed. Intervening sinuses shallow. Diumcter about 1.75 centimeters. Calyx lobes about 6 

millimeters long and 6.5 millimeters wide at the base, 

of a coriaceous consistency. The concrescent calices 

of this genus differ greatly in size and are either fourA number of DiosPY1'OS leaves have been recorded 

from the Wilcox, and the genus is represented in 

southeastern North America from the Upper Cretaceous . throughout the Eocene, a very characteristic 

calyx being recorded from the upper Eocene. 

The present species may, of course, represent the 

same botanic species -as the 'Vilcox leaves, although 

no DiosPY1'OS leaves have been found in association 

with the calyx at the ]\1ill Creek locality. 

li'lGURE 32.-Hestoration of Diospyros 

lobed or five-lobed. The genus is a large one both in 

the Tel"tin,l'Y and recent floras and goes back with unaltered characters as far as the Upper Cretaceous. A 

considerable number of modern species have rugose 

calices much like the present fossil. For example 

those of the Indian species DiosPY1'08 lanceolat'a Roxburgh are four-pnrted and almost exactly like the 

present species in size, outline, and ornamentation. 

A somewhat similar fossil form, with five instead of 

four sepals, however, is Diospyros rugosa Saporta 70 

of the Oligocene of southeastern France. 

70 Suportu, Guston dc, llltudes sur Iu v~g~tatioll du sud·est de In 

l~l'uncc I\. l'~poql1C tertinil'C, vol. 1, p. 111, pI. 11, fig. 3, 1863. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Diospyros sp. 

'Vhat appears to be a calyx of a species of Diospy1'OS, although too poorly preserved for description, is 

represented by a single specimen and its counterpart: 

11. is considerably larger than the calyx of Diospyros 

m.adisonensis Berry and about the size of the calyx of 

the existing DiosPY1'08 virginiana Linne, being about 

2.5 centimeters in maximum diameter. Whether or 

not it represents a new species can not be determined. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. 
128 THE LO\VER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Diospyros wilcoxiana Berry 

Plate 47, figure 3 

Diospyros wiloowiana Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, 

p. 334, pl. 101, figs. 1, 2, 1916. 

The magnificent specimen from Puryear figured 

herewith is complete in every way. It shows a leaf 

somewhat longer and narrower- than the type with 

about equally pointed apex and base, a stout prominent midvein and secondaries, a slightly undulate 

margin, and a stout petiole about 1.5 centimeters long. 

The leaf figured has a length of 19 centimeters and 

a maximum width of 5.5 centimeters and must be regarded as near the maximum of ,size for this species. 

It is very abundant at Puryear and occurs at three 

additional and widely scattered localities on both 

shores of the Wilcox Mississippi Gulf of late Holly 

Springs age. 

The restoration of Diospyros shown in Figure 32 

is based on the robust foliage of Diospyros wucoaJialna 

Berry of the upper part of the Holly Springs sand in 

the upper embayment region. With it are associated 

the calices described as Diospyros madi8onensi.~ Berry 

from a near-by locality at about the same horizon. 

From the size of the calyx the fruits are inferred to 

have been of small size, and the general hahit is that 

of I!io'8pyros virrJiniana Linne and other existing 

,specIes. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, of Wilcox group, 

west of Bolivar, Hardelnan County, Tenn.; Thompson &; Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn.; Puryear, Henry County 

Tenn. Wilcox formation, Mansfield, La. ' 

Family SAPOTACEAE 

Gen us BUMELIA Swartz 

Bumelia americana (Lesquereux) Berry 

Plate 19, figures 11, 12 

Bttmelia CMncl'ioana (Lesquereux) Berl'Y,U. S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 91, p. 337, pI. 100, fig. 6, 1916. 

This upper ""Vilcox species was described from a locality near Somerville, Tenn., by Lesquereux as a 

species of Sapotacites. It also occurs at Puryear and 

at the new locality cited below. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Bolivar-J'ackson 

road north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Grenada formation, 1 mile south of Somerville and 1.2 

miles south of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Bumelia pseudolycioides Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figure 20 

Leaves of medium'size, oblanceolate to slightly obovate, with abruptly pointed tip and narrowly cuneate 

decurrent base. Margins entire. Texture coriaceous. 

Length about 4.25 centimeters; maximum width, 

slightly above the middLe, about 1.4 centimeters. Petiole long for the genus, stout, curved, about 1.5 centimeters in length. Midvein stout, curved. Secondaries stout, about six pairs, diverging from the midvein 

at angles of 45 0 or less, ascending subparallel with the 

lateral margins. Tertiaries obscure. 

The type has the two halves of the leaf folded together, which may indicate an immature conduplicate 

form, a generic characteristic. It has also been 

thrown into minute folds by differential movement of 

the two cuticles, which I take to mean that the leaf 

was coriaceous. 

Bumelia leaves usually have shorter petioles. 

Among recent species the fossil greatly resembles 

Bumelia lycioides Gaertner, a form ranging from Virginia and Illinois to Florida and Texas. The only 

conspicuous difference is the shorter petiole of the 

recent form. 

~he ?enus Bt(/melia or the form genus Sapotacites, 

whICh Includes forms related to Bumelia, is not uncommon in the Upper Cretaceous of the Mississippi 

Gulf. It is exceedingly well developed in the 'Vilcox, 

having a total of seven different species referred to it. 

Of these the present species and three other~, namely 

B. grenadensis, B. pseudohorrida, and B. pseudo ten ax, 

a.re above suspicion; the other three are types commonly referred to ,Bumelti(() by paleobotanists but probably 

more properly referable to the form genus Sapotacites, 

as they are clearly members of the family Sapotaceae 

but are less certainly referred to BU1'1Wlia. The genus 

has not been recognized in the Claiborne but is present 

in the Jackson Eocene and the later Tertiary of southeastern North America. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

Genus MIMUSOPS Linne 

Mimusops prenuntia Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 39, figures 1-3 

Leaves on the whole considerably ~ variable , , obcordate to broadly spatulate, inyariably widest above the 

middle and commonly just below the tip. The tip 

truncate and slightly or greatly emarginate. Base 

broadly 'to narrowly cuneate. Margins entire, somewhat irregular., Texture coriaceolls. Length from 5 

to 7 centimeters; Inaximum width from 3 to 3.75 centimeters. Petiole stout, in one specimen preserved 

with a length of about 1 centimeter. Minvein exceedingly stout, prominent, scarcely diminished in caliber 

to the tip. Secondaries stout but mostly immersed in 

the leaf substance, tbree to five pairs variously spaced 

and ascending, relatively straight or regularly curved: 
GENTIAN ALES 129 

eamptodrome. Tertiaries nlostly obsolete by immersion, sapotaceous in character. 

These leaves are of the form that paleobotanists 

have usually referred to Sapotacites or Bumelia, to the 

1atter of which three species from the Wilcox that 

more 01' less resemble'this form have already been referred. There can be no doubt of their reference to 

the family Sapotaceae, and in looking over the recent 

species I have been impressed with their relationship 

to Mi111JU8OPS rather than to' BwmeliaJ. The genus 

llfim/usops, and to a less -?extent Bid'eTowylon, are notably variable in leaf form, and the usual extent of this 

variability corresponds admirably with that shown by 

the present fossil species. It is possible that these 

emarginate forms aTe abnormal leaves of Mim'lJ)8op'8 

eolignitica Berry or SideToWlJlon p'remastichoa-end'J'on 

Berry. Irrespective of the shape of the present fos-

,sils, on which, perhaps, little reliance can be based, 

they differ consistently in their venation, and I believe 

are distinct specifically. Several existing species approach this fossil in foliar features. Perhaps the most 

similar is Mimusops duplicata Urban, a common Antillean forest tree. At one of the localities the present 

species is associated with the characteristic leaves of 

M imusops eolignitica. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand', Atkins pit and 

, Bradley pit, Henry County, Tenn.; Will Brooks farm, 

Madison County, Tenn. 

Order GENTIANALES 

~amily APOCYNACEAE 

Genus APOC~NOPHYLLUM Unger 

Apocynophyllum mississippiense Berry 

Plate 40, figures 3, 4 

A.1J001J'1wplll1JlZ'ltm mississilJpien8is Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 91, p. 342, pI. 108, fig. 6, 1916. 

The specimens of this species here figured have less 

pointed tips than the type. They are of interest in 

that they bring out very clearly the, stout alate petioles 

which are characteristic of this species. 

It is widely distributed and common, being present 

on both the eastern and western shores of the Wilcox 

Mississippi Gulf, and in both the Holly Springs sand 

and Grenada formation. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, of "\iVilcox group, 

Grenada, Miss.; about 1 mile north of Somerville; 

north of Loosahatchie River, float in ironstone; and 

5 miles southwest of Williston, all in Fayette County, 

Tenn. Holly Springs sand, of Wiicox group, Jim 

Tomphson farm, 3~ miles northeast of Jackson, Madison County, Tenn.; Foundry Church, Bradley, Grable, 

and Atkins pits, Henry County, Tenn. Wilcox 

formation, Boydsville, Ark., and Mansfield, La. 

Apocynophyllum mississippiense ova tum Berry, n. var. 

P1!lte 19, figure 15 

Leaves ovate, widest medianly, with evenly rounded' 

margins' tapering upward to the acute but not'extended 

tip and downward to the decurrent base. Length 

about 10 centimeters; maximum width about 3.85 centimeters. Midrib stout, prominent, curved. Secondaries thin, about 13 pairs, slightly irregularly spaced, 

ascending, relatively straight, camptodrome. The 

lower margins are decurrent to the base, and there is 

no free petiole. 

This form'is extremely close to the type, from which 

it differs chiefly in its shorter and broader form and 

in its more numerous' and more regularly spaced secondaries. It is quite possible that it represents a 

variant of the foliage of a single botanic species, but if 

such was the case the two forms ,would be expected in 

association, which has thus far not been observed. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Shepherd Price 

farm, near Whiteville, and Mill Creek, Hardeman 

County, Tenn. 

Apocynophyllum sapindifolium Hollick 

Plate 19, figures 13, 14; Plate 44, figure 19 

ApocynophyZl'ltm sapindifo1Ji!Um Hollick, in Harris, G. D., and 

Veatch, A. C. A preliminary report on the geology of 

Louisiana, p. 288, pI. 46, fig. 3, 1899. 

Berry, U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 344, pI. 102, 

fig. 1; pI. 108, fig. 5, 1916. 

This upper Wilcox species is figured from two new 

localities in Tennessee and Arkansas. It is common 

in the Holly Springs sand of Hardeman and Fayette 

Counties, Tenn. 

New occurrence: Wilcox formation, sec. 10, T. 14 S., 

R. 21 ,,\iV., Nevada County, Ark. Holly Springs sand, 

of Wilcox group, road west of La Grange, La Grange, 

and gully 1 mile west of Laconia, all in Fayette 

County, Tenn.; big cut at Pine Top, gully 1 mile 

northeast of Cloverport, and Mill Creek, all in Hardeman County, Tenn., Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

Apocynophyllum parvulum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 41, figure 6 

This small leaf appears to be mature or if it reached 

larger size no such specimens have been discovered. 

Leaf lanceolate; widest medianly or slightly below the 

middle, falcate, equally acunlinate at the apex and 

base. Margins entire, even. Texture subcoriaceous. 

Length about 4.5 centimeters; maximum width about 

8.5 millimeters. Petiole stout, expanded proximad, 

a.bout 5 millimeters in length. Midvein very stout, 

prominent, curved. Secondaries stout, prominent; 

numerous, regularly spaced and subparallel; diverg-
130 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

ing from the midvein at angles of about 70°, rather 

. straight until they are abruptly camptodrome by 

'means of a flat marginal arch. Tertiaries immersed. 

This small form adds another to the numerous Wilcox species that have been referred to this genus. 

It is so distinct from the others as not to require 

comment. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 2% mi.les north of 

Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Apocynophyllum crassum Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 37, figure 1 

Leaves large, slightly inequilateral, lanceolate, widest slightly above the middle, narrowed regularly to 

the acuminate apex and to the extended, narrowly 

cuneate base. Margins entire, full but slightly irregular. Texture subcoriaceous. Length about 28 

centimeters; maximum width about 5.25 centimeters. 

Petiole stout, presumably short. Midvein exceedingly 

stout and prominent. Secondaries relatively thin, 

rather regularly spaced, and subparallel, diverging 

from the midvein at angles of about 45° at intervals 

of about 5 millimeters, camptodrome. Tertiari>es thin, 

forming a coarse, isodiametric, polygonal mesh. 

This large species is conspicuously different from 

the numerous other Wilcox species of Apocynophlyllum. Among previously described forms it is closest 

to Apocynophyll/wm Unifoliu111 Knowlton 71 of the 

Raton formation in Colorado. It differs from this 

western forn1 in its inordinately stout midvein, in its 

more ascending secondaries, its inequilateral form, and 

in being widest above instead of below the middle. 

. Its features suggest that it may have been derived 

from the Upper Cretaceous (Ripley formation) species 

ApocynophyllAvm gigamtewm Berry 72 of the embayIllent region. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Apocynophyllum preplumiera Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 42, figures 1, 2 

The fragments of a large leaf shown in Plate 42, 

Figures 1, 2, are entirely too incomplete for purposes 

of adequate description. They represent, however, a 

type of leaf new to this' flora, and its features indicate 

rather definitely that it belongs in the family Apocynaceae. In this family it is much like various existing species of the genus Plumiera not definitely 

recognized in the Tertiary of the Western Hemisphere except in the Miocene flora of Trinidad,73 the 

71 Knowlton, F. H., U. S. GeoI. Survey Prof. Paper 101, p. 346, pI. 

104,. fig. 3, 1918. 

12 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 136, p. 86, pl. 21, 

fig. 2, 1925. 

78 Berry, E. W., Johns Hopkins Univ. Studies in Geology, No.6, p. 

128, pl. 2, fig. 2, 1925. 

Pliocene flora of Bahia,74 and the Tertiary of Porto 

Rico 74a and Ecuador.74b 

Leaves evidently large, ovate. Base unknown. 

Apex pointed. Margins entire, full to repandness. 

Texture subcoriaceous. Length unknown; maximum 

width 5.5 to 11.75 centimeters. Midvein exceedingly 

stout, prominent. Secondaries numerous, stout, prominent; diverging from the midvein at wide angles at 

intervals of 5 to 12 millimeters, nearly straight, subparallel; their tips joined just within the margi:p.s by 

a stout subacrodrome series of flat" arches. Tertiaries 

obsolete. 

The genus PlwrnieraJ contains several supposed 

forms in the Miocene of Europe. The recent species, 

numbering about two score shrubs and trees, are 

largely American and range from the Antilles and 

MOO exico to eastern Peru and southern Brazil. 

Another genus suggested is Thevetim Linne, which 

consists of seven or eight species of shrubs and small 

trees ranging from Mexico to Paraguay. Some of 

these, as, for exalnple, the Mexican Thevetia plu'I7'derifolia, have leaves that are much like the present fossil. 

It is hoped that more complete material of the 

Wilcox form will eventually be discovered. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar 

and gully west of Illinois Central Railroad, 2% miles 

north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Apocynophyllum linifolium Knowlton (?) 

ApoeynophyUum Zinifolium Knowlton, U. S. Geol. Suney Prot. 

Paper 101, p. 346, pI. 104, fig: 3, 1917. 

This fine large species, which was described by 

Knowlton from the Raton formation of southeastern 

Colorado, is doubtfully distinct from Apocynophyllum wilcowense Berry as identified by Knowlton 75 

from the Raton formation, although it is certainly 

distinct from the material so identified in the Wilcox. 

My impression is that Apocynophlyllwm wilcowense is 

not common to the Wilcox and Raton but that the 

forms so named in the Raton flora are the variables 

of a different species, which should be called ApocynophyUwm linifoliwm. 

This species is probably common to the Wilcox, but 

I have queried the determination, for it is based on 

a single incomplete specimen and its counterpart from 

the locality cited below. This form is undoubtedly 

an ApoC1.J'fI1o~phyll'l1YlrV" but it is somewhat wider than 

Knowlton's type of A. liwifolium. 

74 HOllick, Arthur, and Berry, E. W., idem. No.5, p. 105, pI. 13, fig. 

6, 1924. 

74n Hollick, Arthur, New York Bot. Garden Bull., vol. 12, p. 315, pI. 

10, fig. 5, 1924. 

74b Berry, E. W., Johns Hopkins Univ. Studies in Geology, No. 10, 

p. 121, pI. 6, fig. 1, 1929. 

'Ill Knowlton, F. H., op. cit., p. 345, PI. 103, fig. 3; pl. 105, figs. 1, 2; 

pl. 106, fig. 1. 
PERSONALES 131 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, road cut 1 mile 

eust o:f Water Valley, Yalobusha County, Miss. 

Family A'SCLEPIADACEAE ~ 

Genus ACERATES of authors 

Acerates wilcoxiana Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 19, figures 1.6, 17 

Lea ve~ small, linear-Ianceolate and slightly falcate, 

with nil acute 'apex and a gradually narrowed acutely 

ennen,te base. l\1argins entire. Texture subcoriaceOlIS. Length about 4.5 centimeters; maximm11 width 

about 3 millin1eters. l\1idrib relatively stout, promi· 

nent on the under side of the leaf. Secondaries thin, 

:immersed in the leaf substance, diverging from the 

midrib at wide angles at well-spaced but irregular. intervn,ls, straight, their tips connected by flatly arching 

marginal veins. Areolation immersed, of polygonal 

isodiam.etric 111eshes, seen only where the leaf substance is partly eroded. . 

This form is a very characteristic type of leaf usunlly referred to Ace'rates, a forn1 genus for generically 

unallocn,ted members of the family Asclepiadaceae 

but closely approached in appearance by various membel'S of the allied family Apocynaceae. In the present 

state of our knowledge it is impossible to differentiate 

between tlW two families in dealing with leaves of the 

clutrl1cter of the present species, and I simply follow 

a somcw}u1t arbitrary custom in referring it to Acerates. 

Among previously described fossil forn1s the present species is especially like ilce1'llJtes veterama Heer,7G 

which this author has identified from the early TertiHl'y of western Greenland and from the s0111ewhat 

later Tel'tiary of Europe. The Wilcox leaf has the 

same general forn1 and venation but is slightly smaller 

und rela.tively slightly shorter. It is also like the 

smaller leaves fr0111 the Miocene of Switzerland referred by Heel' to EchitoniWln sophiae C. O. Weber,77 a 

species that is reported from many localities in the 

Oligocene and l\1iocene of Europe. 

The genus ACe1'ates has been recorded from the 

Atane, Patoot, and early Tertiary of Greenland; from 

the Raritan formation of New Jersey, the Black Creek 

formation of North Carolina; the Tuscaloosa formation of Alabama; and the Tertiary of Europe. 

The genus Echitoniwm was proposed by Unger as a 

member of the Apocynaceae. About 10 species have 

been referred to it, ranging in age from Eocene to Miocene and recorded from North America, Greenland, 

Europe, and Australia. It is already represented in 

70 HC'el', OswlIld, Flom tertlnriu Heivetiuc, Bund 3, p. 20, pI. 104, figs. 

5-8, 1850; li'Iorll fossllls mctlcn, Bnnd H, Abt. 2, p. 23, pI. 5, fig. 5, 

1874. 

77 Weber, C. 0., Plllncolltogl'flphlcn, Bund 2, p. 187, pI. 20, fig. 17, 

1852. 

the Wilcox by a characteristic species. In general the 

leaves that have been referred to E~(}hitoniul1~ are 

larger than those that have been referred to Ace1'ates, 

but some have a venation identical with that of the 

present form; others differ somewhat in venation, as 

do certain of the forms referred to .Ace1'ates. 

Some fossil leaves of the type of A.ce-ra1tes w1ilcowiana have also been referred to the genus Lomatia of 

the family, Proteaceae, greatly resembling the leaves 

of certain existing species of that genus, but such a 

relationshi p is deemed to be very improbable for the 

forms from the North American Eocene. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, west 

of road and south of the Southern Railway, at w6stern 

edge of town, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Order PERSONA':tE8 

Family SOLANACEAE 

Gen us SOLANITES Saporta 

SoIanites sarrachaformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figure 31 

Flower gamopetalous. Calyx presumably inferior, 

gamosepalous. Corolla rotate, slightly depressed internally, the limb five-parted, with angular sinuses 

and conical segments about as wide as long. Diameter about 12 millimeters. Corolla lobes about 3.5 millimeters long and 4 millimeters in width at the base. 

These floral remains are very similar to those described from the Holly Springs sand of'Mississippi as 

Solanites sap01'tanus Berry.78 They differ from that 

species in being over 70 per cent larger, with wider 

corolla lobes and a shallower throat. They are very 

~imilar to the type of the genus Solanites brongnim·ti. 

Saporta,79 of the Oligocene of southeastern France. 

They are also practically identical with the flowers of 

the existing genus Sa1"'racha, which comprises about a 

dozen living species distributed from Mexico to 

Bolivia. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

SoIanites crassus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figures 34-36 

Corolla strictly rotate, of medium: to relatively large 

size, orbicular or pentagonal in outline. The specimens are of some consistency and as preserved are 

nearly flat in the clays, but all show a fold along the 

axis of what would be the corolla lobes or petals if 

these were developed, indicating a certain concavity 

in life. Specimens are not at a.ll uncommon and range 

frOl11 8 to 20 millimeters in diameter. In one of ~he 

78 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 348, pI. 106, 

figs. 4, 5, 1916. 

79 Saporta, Gaston de, Etudes sur Ia v~gHatlon du sud-est de In 

France a. l'~poque tertiaire, vol. 1, p. 109, pI. 11, fig. 2. 1863. 
132 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLOB-A OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

larger specimens there is some indication of five large 

stamens alternating with the corolla folds, but this 

feature is very indistinct and uncertain. 

These flowers resemble those of several genera of 

the Solanaceae and are not at all. unlike those of certain modern .species of the genus SO'lanwrn, as, for example, those of SO'lanu.m bonmriens(J Linne. The genus 

contains more than 1,000 existing species of herbs, 

shrubs, or trees and appears to be of occidental origin. 

The exact affinIty of these flowers is uncertain, but 

they are clearly referable to. this family, thus making 

three different solanaceous flowers recorded fronl the 

Wilcox. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, railroad cut north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Solanites pllsillus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figures 21-23 

Flowers small but of considerable consistency, about 

1 centimeter in diameter, corolla rotate, gamopetalous, 

deeply divided into five conical lobes which are slightly 

longer than wide, and acute. Each lobe has a relatively prominent midvein and generally a less prominent subparallel lateral on either side. In one specimen there appear to be small acute calyx lobes alternating with those of the corolla, but this is not conclusive. Most of the specimens are flat impressions of 

the face of the,flower, and in these the receptacle forms 

an elevated ring, well shown in Plate 48, Figure 22. 

Two speclmens are obliquely flattened, and iIi these the 

peduncle swells into the receptacle as if the latter were 

cup-shaped and the flower epigynous. No traces of 

pistil or stamens can be made out. ' 

. This type is not uncommon in the collections and 

is entirely distinctive from the other flowers that have 

been found in this flora. 

This is the fourth flower in the Wilcox flora that 

appears to be referable to the Solanaceae, apparently 

~]nphasizing an Upper Cretaceous or early Tertiary 

radiation from So~th America through Central America or a more or less continuous land mass in the Antillean region. 

The present type is readily distinguishable from 

Solwnites saport(J,nus Berry, S. srcrrachafonnis Berry, 

and S. crq8SU8 Berry by its size, it~ conical veined 

lobes, and itsehplike receptacle. ' 

, It i'esembl~s the flowers of a number of genera of 

Solanaceae, particularly those. of the tropical American genus Oapsicwm Linne, now ~aturalized in our 

Southern States, and those of some of our native 

species of Solanwln, such as the so-called nigh~shades. 

When comparisons are extended to the existing Solanaceae of tropical America, which seems to be the 

original ·home of the family, a great many similar 

forms can be enumerated. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grable pit (common), Henry County, Tenn.; La Grange (one specimen), Fayette County, Tenn. 

Family BIGNONIACEAE 

Genus BIGNONICA'FSULA Berry, n.- gen. 

Bignonicapsula formosa Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 43, figure 3 

This is the type and only known species of the 

genus, which will serve as a repository for capsules referable to this family and of uncertain generic affinity. 

It is based on the unique specimen figured, which was 

somewhat damaged in shipment but which is still 

sufficiently complete to corroborate the careful sketch 

made by Mr. R. L. Collins at the time it was collected. 

It represents a large fusiform capsule, which is nearly 

. twice as long as wide, widest medianly, with an acumin ate tip, narrQwed proximad to a stout pednncle 

, \vhich is about 1.75 centimeters long and 5 millimeters 

. in diameter as preserved in a slightly compressed condition. The peduncle is gently curved, and the capsule is slightly less inflated on the outer than on the 

inner side of the continuation of this curve, the result 

being a nearly symmetrical form. The specimen, as 

shown in Plate 43, Figure 3, indicates that the capsule was somewhat compressed in life in the plane of 

bedding of the sediments and was therefore elliptical 

in cross section and was bivalved. The surface is 

smooth, alid the substance must have been more or less 

ligneous to have resisted flattening during fossilization. This character is also jndicated by the wall, 

which is thick, and about twice as thick along the margin of the valve that appears to have borne a parietal 

p]acenta. The dimensions of the capsule, (exclusive of 

the peduncle) are length 6.5 centimeters; maximum diameter 3.25 centimeters. 'The cavity is packed 'with 

irregularly ellipt~cal, thin, winged seeds, arranged 

transversely to the axis of the capsule and all oriented 

away from the thick-walled (placental) s~de of the 

specimen. These seeds are preserved as impressions 

by the ihfiltered mud that formed the clay and are not 

particularly clearly' shown. They are thin 'and flat, 

elliptical or slightly Teniform in outline, with entire, 

slightly undulate margins,' and are marked by fine 

flabellate veins radiating from the proximal focus of 

the ellipse. They are about 2.25 centimeters in length 

and about 1.5 centimeters in lnaximum width.· 

This form is a new and striking element . in the 

Wilcox flora. It suggests comparisons with the families Bignoniaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, and 

the South American genus Em..bOtl~1·iu177, Forster of 

the family Proteaceae .. The bivalved capsules of Embothriu'ln granrlifloru1n Lamarck, a shrub of the Peruvian Andes, are of about the same size"a:nd proportions 

as the fossil, but they are crowned with the persistent 
HUBIALES 133 

pistil, which i~ us long or longer than the peduncle, 

und the spatulate and inequilateral winged seeds have 

their long axes parallel with the long axis of the capsule, instead of at right angles to it, as in the fossil. 

Many of the Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae have 

fruits which are similar in size and form to the fossil, 

but the seeds are relatively' small and inflated and 

plumose instead of winged. It is in the family Bignoniaceae that the true homologies of the fossil are 

to be found. 

I do not have sufficient recent material to enable me 

to determine the precise botanic a~nity of the fossil, 

but the genera Ane'mopaeg'l1~a and Oallichla1nys of 

the tribe Bignoneae and Rhigo-zWln and Del.tostomaJ of 

the tribe Tecomeae may be mentioned as especially 

similar to the Wilcox form. The genus Rllligozwm 

Burchell is a South African genus unlikely to be 

found fossil in North America, and although superficially the capsule is much like the fossil its seeds are 

borne on the two sides of a central partition, which is 

oriented at right angles to the valves and are much 

lurger and have a narrower encircling wing. 

The genus Deltost07na Don, \vhich might well be 

represented in the North American Tertiary, as its 

five or six existing species occur in the equatorial 

Andes, has seeds exceedingly like the fossil except that 

they are wider than long. The capsules, however, are 

somewhat less inflated, and, like RhigoZWl71J., the seeds 

are borne on the partition at right angles to the valves. 

In both Anem,Opae{fl7UlJ and OaJllichla'mys the seeds 

are either borne on a parietal placenta, or the partition' i~ parallel with the valves, as in the fossil. In 

both genera the capsules of the existing forms are 

somewhat larger than the fossil capsule. The genus 

o allichla'lnys lVliquel comprises four or five South 

American climbing plants ranging from Colombia to 

Brazil and Peru. The capsules are relatively less inflated than the fossil and are rounded at the extremities. In the genus .c1ne'17wpaegma Martius, on the 

other hand, the capsules, although slightly larger, have 

the exact form and organization of the fossil, and I 

suspect that a real relationship is indicated. Ane'l7Wpaeg'l7w comprises about 25' species of ,climbing shrubs 

of tropical America with a maximum representa~ion in 

Brazil. 

The family Bignoniaceae contains over 100 genera 

and over 600 species in the existing flora. It has not 

hitherto been recognized in the lower Eocene of southeastern North America, although the genera Teco'l1WJ, 

o atalpa, and 0 lvil O'p sis are found in this region at the 

pres'ent time. The family is cosmopolitan between latitudes 40° N. and 34° S., but two-thirds of the genera 

recognized are American. The tribe Bignoneae, in 

which the present fossil form belongs, contains about 

4fJ genera and over 300 existing species. All th,ese 

genera except fOUl', which are of somewhat doubtful 

, affinities, are also American. 

Very few fossil species have been referred to this ' 

fumily, and the record is so incomplete that it is not 

worth enumerating at the present time. A number of 

forms have been described recently from the Tertiary 

, of South America, and it seems probable' that the fossil record will be much amplified as the paleobotany, 

of equatorial America becomes better known. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, northeast corner 

of crossroads one-fourth mile east of Denmark, Madison County, Tenn. 

Order R UBIALES 

Family, RUBIACEAE 

Genus RUBIA CITES Weber 

Rubiacites wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 45, figure 8 

Small two-celled and apparently two-seeded indehiscent or tardily dehiscent capsules, turbinate in 

'lorm. About 5 millimeters in length and 4 millimeters 

in maximum diameter toward the tip, decurring to a 

short and stout peduncle about 2 millimeters in length. 

Apparently ligneous, but wall poorly preserved. 

These small fruits appear to represent some genus 

of .the family Rubiaceae, and they are therefore rereferred to the form genus Rubiaoites of Weber, although this does not imply that they are congeneric 

with the European Tertiary forms so \ named. The 

family is represented by three species of leaves in the 

'Vilcox which have been referred to Guettarda, Exostema; and P8'l}chotria. In the first the f.ruit is a 

many-seeded, two-celled, and two-valved capsule. 

Psycho tria has forms somewhat like the fossil, which 

probably represents some Wilcox member of the 

Ixoreae or Psychotrieae-which tribe it is impossible 

to determine. . 

A large species from the Oligocene of the Panama 

Canal Zone. has been, referred by me to Rubiacites, 

otherwise it has not been hitherto recorded from North 

America. Perkins 80 has proposed the generic term 

Rubioides for what are apparently rubiaceous seeds 

from'the Eocene lignite of Brandon, Vt., but these 

are quite different from the Wilcox forms. 

Occurrence: Holly $prings sand, Mill Creek, 

Hardeman County, Te:Q,n.; 100 yards east of, Bell 

City Pottery pit, Calloway County, I(y. 

Rubiacites sphericus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 45, ,figures 9-11 

Relatively large two-celled, two:.seeded, indehiscent 

or tardily dehiscent cap$ules, approximately spherical 

in form, ranging from about 8 to 13 milli~eters ~n 

80 Perldns, G. H., Vermont State Geologist Rept. 1903-4, p. 193;" 

1904. 
134 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

diameter, slightly narrowed to a stout peduncle. Wall 

relatively thin but ligneous, thickened toward the 

base. The large seeds are flat 011 the inner side, 

wflere they abut against the partition, otherwise 

rather symmetrically rounded and nearly smooth, 

slightly more tapering proximad than distad. 

These fruits differ frOln Rubiacites wilcowensis in . 

. their much larger size and spherical form. They appear to be definitely referable to the Ixoreae or Psychotrieae of the family Rubiaceae, but beyond this it 

is unsafe to suggest their generic affinity. Although 

nowhere individually abundant they occur at four different localities near the top of the Holly Springs 

sand. Moreover, they are a readily recognizable element in this flor,a and therefore deserve to be made a . . 

part of the published record. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear and Bradley pit, 2.7 miles south of east of Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn.; Huckleberry Schoolhouse, 2lh miles 

south of McLemoresville, Carroll County, Tenn.; Bell 

City Pottery pit, Calloway.County, I{y. 

Rubiacites? pellicieraformisoBerry, n. sp. 

Plate 49, figure 19 

A two-seeded nut or unilocular indehiscent capsule. 

Somewhat lenticular in shape with a broad decurrent 

base and a prominently rostrate and slightly curved 

pointed apex. Length about 2.1 centimeters; width 

1.1 centimeters; thickness about half the width. Shel1 

ligneous, slightly less than it millimeter in thickness. 

Surface with rounded contours, faintly and irregularly 

longitudinally fibrously striate. 

Seeds two, apparently borne on a central placenta, 

pointed distad and slightly bilobed proximad, slightly 

curved, and approximately circular in cross section. 

This species, based on the single specimen figured 

and its counterpart, suggest at first sight some species 

of Hicoria and in a superficial way greatly resemble 

the Jackson species lIiooria rostratafoTmis Berry.S! 

In H. rostrata,for7nis, however, it is the husk. which is 

rostrate, and this husk incloses a more or less spherical 

nut, which shows normal H ico1'ia kernels inside. In 

the present for~ the nut is rostrate and the seeds are 

fusiform and quite unlike Hicoria. 

Its botanic position is uncertain, but I have referred 

it tentatively to the form genus Rubiacites and given 

it a specific name in allusion to its superficial resemblance to the fruits of the genus Pelliciera Triana and 

Planchon, a Central American genus of the Ternstroemiaceae, in which, however, there is but a single seed. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs 'sand, big cut at Pine 

Top (just above Midway contact), Hardeman County, 

Tenn. 

82 Berry, E. W .. U. S. GroI. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 25-7, pI. 5-6, 

1924. 

POSITION UNCERTAIN 

Genus CARPOLITHUS 

Carpolithus delicatulus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figure 9 

A small delicate inflorescence with a central axis 

and irregularly spaced lateral bra.nches about 3 millimeters long and at nearly right angles to the axis. 

These branches bear at their ends delicate oblong 

.ribbed fruits or concrescent calices about 3 millimeters long and 1.5 millimeters in maximum diameter. 

Botanic affinity not determinable. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

I-Iardema~ County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus aggregatus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figure 10 

A small racemose inflorescence bearing numerous 

nearly orbicular nutlike fruits about 2 millimeters in 

diameter, on a stout peduncle. Botanic affinity not determinable. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 

Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus banistel'oides Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figures 5, 6 

A narrowly compressed, ovate, asymmetrically 

winged fruit or seed. Essential part small and narrowly elliptical at the pointed proximal end. "\Ving 

expanded, margined all around, one margin wider and 

thicker than the other and containing the trunk lines 

of the vascular system. The veins recurve froJIl. this 

margin, anastomosing freely, and end in the opposite 

margin at approximately right angles to it. Length 

about 1.6 centimeters; maximum width~ about midway 

between the apex and the base, 6.5 millimeters. The 

essential part is but slightly thickened, and the wing 

part is membranous or scarious. 

The botanic position of this specimen can not be 

positively determined, although I am inclined to consider it referable to Banisteria or some allied genus of 

the family Malpighiaceae. A somewhat similar but 

clearly distinct alate for~ was described from the 

"\Vilcox in 1916 as Banisteria; fruotuosa.S 2 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus malpighiaformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figure 33 

A somewhat woody, indehiscent, asymmetric winged 

carpel, about 1.5 centinleters in length. The carp~l is 

somewhat triangular in outline and convex, the proximal point oblique with respect to the long axis of the 

82 Berry. E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. PI1PI'1" 1)1, p. 257, pI. G6, 

figs. 8, 9, 1916. 
OARPOLITHUS 135 

whole. The thickened proximal nucleus continues 

distad as a gradually dlminishing axis of the wing 

w hose free limbs are narrow and pointed. 

This fruit shows some resemblance to a Li1'iodendJron 

carpel but differs in its asymmetry, and, although its 

botanic position remains uncertain, it very likely represents some member of the family Malpighiaceae, 

especially the genus Banisteria, leaves of several spe·· 

cies of which have been recorded from the Wilcox. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus ailanthioides Be .... y, n. sp. 

PIn to' 32, figure 9 

Apparently a winged fruit or samara, much compressed, elliptical in outline. Margin thickened all 

around. Near the middle of the thicker mal;gin there 

is attached a large, flat, nearly orbicular seed. The 

whole is obscurely reticulate veined. Length about 1.5 

centimeters; maximum width, 8.5 millimeters. " 

The single specimen figured is the only one that has 

been found, and its features do not permit a definite 

determination. It might represent some indehiscent 

or tardily dehiscent single-seeded legume, but seems 

more like the samara of some species of Ailanth!us, 

although nothing more than a suggestion of reseni.-

blance is implied by t.he specific name proposed. The 

genus A ilatnt hws , of the family Simarubaceae, comprises about seven existing species of large trees native 

in eastern Asia and the East Indies, but it is not unCOIlUllon throughout the Tertiary of Europe and is 

present in the middle and upper Eocene and the middle ~1iocene of western North America. Whether or 

not the genus was ever represented in southeastern 

North America is problematic. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, 

:Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus alatus Berry, n. sp. 

PIn te 25, figure 30 

Small single-winged fruits or seeds of undeterminable botanic relationship. Essential part elliptical, 

about 4.5 millimeters in 'length and 2 millimeters in 

width. 'Ving oblique, with linear sides and inequilaterally rounded tip, about 6 millimeters long and 3 

millimeters wide, thin. 

Alate seeds or fruits of this character are present in 

a variety of botanic families, such as the Meliaceae, 

Bignoniaceae, Malpighiaceae, and Proteaceae, and in 

the present form there are no features warranting a 

decision. The species is, therefore, referred to the form 

genus Of11rpolitluuJs, although it is strikingly like the 

winged seeds of the genus EmbO'thrriwm; of the Proteaceae. For the same reason comparison with recent 

forms or with described fossils of similar appearance 

is of little worth. The species is obviously new and 

unlike previously known members of the Wilcox flora, 

in which several-other winged seeds have already been 

described. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Center Church, 

about 5 miles north of Grand Junction, Hardeman 

County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus shandyensis Berry, n. sp. 

PIa te 25, figure 1 

An ovate, nutlike fruit, narrowed at the base and 

acuminate at the apex. About 1.5 centimeters in 

length and 8 millimeters in maximum diameter at a 

point below the middle. The surface is roughened by 

tiny irregular longitudinal ridges. The botanic nature, other than that it is carpologic, is conjectural. 

It might represent a nutlike fruit or it might be one 

valve of a two-valved capsule. It would require the 

destruction of the type and single specimen to determine this point. On the other hand, it possibly represents the stone of some drupaceous fruit. 

The specimen is, however, a perfectly characteristic 

object in both form and surface markings, and doubtless similar material will be present in future collec .. 

tions, which may enable its true affinity to be determined. It bears some resemblance to the smoother 

fruits of OhrysobalUlnus and is likewise like the essential part of certain lauraceous fruits. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2Y2 

miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus gronovii Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figures 2-5, 20 

Ovate or orbicular fruits which are single-celled 

stones of sonle drupaceous fruit. They vary somewhat 

in size and outline and are luuch compressed, averaging about 6 millimeters in length, 4 millimeters in 

width, and 1 millimeter in thickness. The surface is 

rough and indistinctly and somewhat irregularly 

longitudinally ribbed. 

These stones are exceedingly common in the lignite 

band at the Taylor farm and at once suggest comparisons with those of the genus Nyssa. I have yielded to 

this suggestion to the extent of naming the species in 

honor of Gronovius, the pre-Linnean describer of 

Nyssa. They are less bulky and less distinctly ribbed 

than is usual in Nyssa, although a considerable number 

of fossils that have been supposed to represent Nyssa 

are not unlike the present fossils. They may also be. 

matched by the stones of certain existing species of 

V iburnru111 and doubtless by those of many other and 

unrelated genera, so that their true botanic position 

if; probably undeterminable. 

Among previously described fossil forms the only 

one to which it seems pertinent to call attention is 
136 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Nyssa jacksowiana Berry,83 a common species in th~ . 

Fayette sandstone of Texas, of Jackson age. Nyssa 

jacksoniafna is somewhat stouter, somewhat larger, and 

with decidedly more definitely developed and prominent longitudinal ribs. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, lignite seam, Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn.; gully 

on old Bolivar-Somerville road ( ?), west of State 

hospital, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus silertonensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figures 6, 7 

A lenticular nutlet, seed, or ligneous berry, some-

,vhat compressed and circul~r in outline, about 4 millimeters in diameter and 2 millimeters in thickness, with 

a somewhat roughened surface .. 

These fruits are suggestive of those of the genus 

Myrica but are not botanically determinable. What 

appears to be the same form as that in the lignite band 

at the Taylor farm occurs in the clays at Mill ·Creek. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, lignite seam, Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn.; Mill 

Creek, 2~ miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman 

County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus taylorensis Berry, n. sp. 

PIa te 25, figure 8 

Seed believed to be leguminous but of entirely uncertain botanic affinity. Relatively small, compressed, 

elliptical in all sections, with a smooth surface. 

Length about 3 millimeters; width about 2 millimetel's; thickness slightly under 1 millimeter. 

This fossil much resembles the seeds of the Old 

World genus Oysti8UJ8, as well as numerous other leguminous genera in which the seeds are small. It may 

also be matched in various other plant families, and 

nothing is gained by comparisons with either recent or 

known fossil forms. The prominent longitudinal 

mark in the illustration is a shrinkage. crack. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, lignite seam, Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus chesterensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figure 9 . ' 

This is possibly a less elongated form of the associa~ed fruit referred to Oinnmmomwm ovoides Perkins. 

It'~s almost circular in outline, compressed; separated 

i~lt~ low, scarcely perceptible ridges by wide, shallow 

l~ngitudinal depressions. Length 7 millimeters; 

w;idth 6 millimeters; thickness 2 millimeters. Of undeterminable botanic affinity, having the appearance 

of being a stone of some drupaceous fruit. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, lignite seam; Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

88 Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 92, p. 192, pI. 65, 

fig. 7, 1924. 

I 

Carpolithus longepedunculatus Berry, n. sp.· 

Plate 25, figures 16, 17 

Somewhat compressed ovate, nutlike drupaceous or 

capsular fruits, with a mucronately pointed tip. Base 

decurring to a long, stout striated peduncle. Surface apparently somewhat ligneous, with fine longitudinal striations, with two apparent broad ribs ·on 

the exposed face, which may be contours caused by the 

pressure of the sediment and compression of the fruit 

wall over two falcate fusiform hard seeds or stones. 

Both specimens, which are from different localities,. 

are somewhat unsymmetrical, but whether this is normal or due to compression can not be determined, although it seems probable that the latter explanation 

jf·: correct. Length about 1.25 centimeters; maximum 

width about 8 millimeters. Length of the peduncle 

2 to 2.5 centimeters. 

No opinion regarding ,the botanic position of these 

eharacteristic . fruits can be hazarded at the present 

time. (} 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2~ 

miles north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus rotundalatus .derry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figures 4-7 

An orbicular compressed fruit or seed, with an ·inequilateral thinly lenticular nucleus, which is reticulately veined, about 16 subparallel longitudinal veins 

being the most prominent, the surface between them 

~lightly thickened, forming very low, incipient ribs. 

Very slightly pointed distad and prominently recurved to the point of attachment proximad, surrounded by a thin meridional wing which shows no 

veins and has a scarious appearance. Dimensions over 

all ranging from 5.5 to 8 millimeters in .diameter at 

right angles to the axis and from 5 to 6.5 millimeters 

in diameter along the axis. 

A well-marked type, readily recognizable but of uncertain botanic relationship. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek and 

west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.; Bradley 

pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus bolivarensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 45, figures 4, 5 

Compressed· seeds or capsules, ovate in outline, 

about half of the proximal lateral margin on one side 

truncated and thickened. l\1argin entire and elsewhere full and evenly rounded. Length about 1.25 

centimeters; maximum width about 6 or 7 millimeters. 

Somewhat thickened centrally, with what is the seed 

or the essential part of the seed, if the whole object 

is a seed. This thickened portion is .obovate in outline and faintly longitudinally lin~.d. The way this 

central portion merges with the scarious winglike 
CARPOLITHUS 137 

margins suggests comparisons with various samaras, 

.and I believe the whole is not capsular in nature, 

but a winged seed, or at least a seed in which 

two-thirds of the margin is extended as a keel. This 

margin was not lnembranous nor does it show any 

traces of venation, so that it is not comparable to suclh 

winged fruits .a,s those in the Malpighiaceae, for exampl~. The present species is superficially much like 

OcurpO'UtlllU8 sorne1"villensis Berry, but the two are 

clearly distinct, O. s0'l7w1"Villensis lacking the truncated thickened margin on one side, the contrasting 

central swelling, and marginal keel and being marked 

with oblique wrinkles. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn.; west of Bolivar, H,ardeman County, 

Tenn. 

Carpolithus somerviJIensis Berry, n. sp. 

P1nte 45, figures 6, 7 

An obliquely obovate or subelliptical compressed 

seed, somewhat ligneous texturally. Hilum at the 

more narrowed end; broadly rounded at .the apex. 

Sllrface m~Fked by oblique veins, which start at the 

base and ai'e In'assec1, along the more curved latera) 

margin, from whi9h they diverge and cross the surface obliquely' to th~ 9ther margin. Length about 11 

01' 12 millimeters; maximum width about 5.5 milli .. 

meters. 

This form is superficially like OarpoZithtus bo"livarensis Berry, being about the same size and outline. 

It lacks the keel, the truncated side, and central swelling of O. boZivarensis and differs also in the oblique 

veining. Botanic affinity unknown. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, about 1 mile north 

of Somerville, north of Loosahatchie River, Fayette 

County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus collinsi Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figure 10 

This species is represented by what appears to be a 

small ligneous 0 stone of some drupaceous, fruit. It is 

somewhat fusiform, compressed, minutely apiculate at 

the apex, and extended and bluntly pointed at the, 

buse. About five or six low, rounded, somewhat obscure ribs, separated by shallow rounded sinuses. The 

surface is smooth. Length about 6 millimeters; maximum width about 4 millimeters. Thiclmess about 1 

millimeter but probably twice this in life. Botanic 

nffinity unknown. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, lignite seam, 

Silerton road, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus puryearensis Berry 

Plate 25, figure 11 

OwrpoUtll1Us pu1"yeu1'cns'is Berry, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

91, p. 351, pI. 104, fig. 8, 1916. 

The present forn1 is slightly different in outline from 

the type, which came from Puryear, Henry County, 

Tenn., qeing about 11 millimeters in length and 5 

millimeters in maximun1 width. It shows the same 

axial sinus and coriaceous texture and is believed to 

be part of a capsular fruit of the same plant. Its 

botanic relationship can not be suggested. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Whiteville gully, 

south of negro schoolhouse and west of Nashville, 

Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway, Hardeman County, 

Tenn. Grenada formation, about 1 mile north of 

Somerville, north of Loosahatchie River, Fayette 

County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus sapindoides Berry, n. sp. 

Plate '25, figure 14 

A specimen that appears to be an obovate capsular 

valve suggestive of some species of Sapindaceae. It 

is broadly rounded distad and on one side, pointed 

proximad, and nearly straight along one side, compressed, with a feebly rugose surface. Length about 

9 millimeters; maximum width about 5 millimeters. 

Distinct from the numerous other carpellary reo mains 0 fOlLlnd in the Wilcox but of uncertain botanic 

relationship, although it may be referable to the Sapindaceae, a fanlily abundantly represented by a variety 

of leaves in the Wilcox and by several fruits. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, near Center 

Church, 5 miles north of Grand Junction, Hardeman 

County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus burseraformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 6 

Seed or stone somewhat compressed, elongate-elliptical, w~dest medianly, with a rounded base and a 

cuneate and truncate apex. Texture coriaceol!-s. Surface with longitudinal impressed lines. Length about 

1.5 centimeters; maximum width about 4 millimeters. 

The botanical affinity of this form is entirely problematic, and the specific name emphasizes a resemblance which may be purely superficial. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus fagaraformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 31 

Carpels two, borne on a stout', curved peduncle. 

Circular, ligneous: about 4 millimeters in diameter, 

somewhat compressed. Peduncle about 6 millimeters 

long. Based upon a single specimen with the features 

mentioned. An alternative interpretation would be 

that the supposed pair of carpels represent the two 

val ves of a capsule. 

The botanic affinity is entirely problematic, and the 

specific name emphasizes a re~emblance to the carpels 

of the genusFagaJra, of the family Rutaceae, a resemblance which may be entirely illusory. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 
138 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

Carpolithus poaformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figure 12 

This specimen represents the inflorescence of some 

species of grass or the two-valved capsule of some 

member of the family Salicaceae. As the fruits of the 

Salicaceae are pedunculate and as no member of this 

family has been recognized in the Wilcox flora, the 

evidence points to the former interpretation, but nevertheless it is entirely inconclusive. 

The single specimen shows a pair of divergent ovate, 

acutely pointed tiny glumes or valves, about 3 millimeters long n.nd 1.5 millimeters in width, the surface 

finely longitudinally striate, and the outer margin, or 

keel, thickened. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, on the road to 

Bolivar near Center Church, about 5 miles north of 

Grand Junction and just east of Illinois Central Railroad, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus juncaformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figure 18; Plute 49, figure 20 

The two specimens figured appertain to the same 

species and appeal' to represent some lower Eocene 

relative of the Juncaceae. The first specimen shows a 

stalk about 1.75 centimeters long, dichotomously divided about halfway up into two divergent branches, 

",rhich expand at their ends into a turbinate receptacle, 

bearing a low, rounded central carpel (?), surrounded 

by divergent pointed segments of a perianth, of which 

three can be clearly seen in the left-hand fruit. As 

preserved the details are obscure and the fruit is about 

4.2 millimeters in width. 

The second specimen shows a shorter forked stalk 

with three lanceolate bracts at the fork. The right 

branch is 'somewhat shorter than the left and expands 

into a terminal fruit exactly like those of the first 

specimen. Four lanceolate· perianth segments are 

clearly seen, and there is an obscure trace of a fifth. 

The left branch is slightly longer than the right and 

more expanded distad and appears to have borne an 

entirely normal carpel and a second one of the same 

length but only one-half the width of the normal one. 

Around the margin of this receptacle there are several 

pointed perianth segments to be seen; that at the right 

is apparently longer than the others and sigmoid, but 

the others may be foreshortened by flattening in the 

clays. , 

These interesting objects represent a plant that is 

obviously new to thIS flora. Unfortunately the character of the material does not permit a complete elucidation of their nature, but they are strikingly similar 

in appearance to fruiting specimens of the J uncaceaea family of supposed reduced Monocotyledonae whose 

geologic history is very obscure. There would be no 

point in enumerating the supposed fossil J uncaceae 

that have been described, as most of them are more or 

less uncertain. Heel' has described some remains of 

this sort from the Tertiary of Switzerland which seem 

rather convincing, and 'which also are superficially 

similar to these '"\Vilcox remains. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, at 

western edge of town, west of road and south of Southern Railway, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Cal'polithus hiraeaformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figures 19, 20 

A small inequilateral obovate samara, evenly rounded 

distad, narrowed proximad to a blunt base. The seed 

or seed cavity is slightly more than halfway above 

the base and is circular or elliptical, of considerable 

consistency and about 1.75 millimeters in diameter; 

it IS connected with the hilum by a relatively stout 

vertical vascular strand. The scarious wing is netted 

veined, encircling the compressed seed or seed cavity 

as a wide, evenly rounded border on one side and the 

I apex but narrowed and straightened on the other side. 

The whole specimen is about 7 millimeters long and 

B.75 millimeters in maximum width. The central region has the appearance of a seed cavity containing a 

single compressed elliptical seed about one-half the 

diameter of the cavity, as shown in Plate 48, Fig- c 

ure 20. 

Among previously described fossil forms this one 

is superficially much like Carpolith'llS dictyolO1noides 

Berry 84 from the upper part of the Holly Springs 

sand at Puryear, Tenn. This resemblance is purely 

superficial, as O. diotyolo'17voides is falcate 'and acute 

at one end, with a larger nucellus and a more finely 

reticulate veined wing, which is absent on one side of 

the nucellus. Oarpolithus dictyoZovmoides appears conclusively a winged seed, and its comparison with the 

genus Dictyolo1'l1a of the Rutaceae seems most approI)I·iate. The present form is clearly not a winged seed 

but a winged fruit, and the only comparisons that seem 

legitimate to me are with the genus VvrJUws of the 

Ulmaceae a~d various genera of the Mal pighiaceae. 

As no leaves· of the former type have been found in 

the Wilcox and as leaves of the latter are not uncommon at this horizon, it would seem, that the second 

assumption was more likely to be correct. The two 

genera of Malpighiaceae represented by leaves in the 

""Vilcox are Banisteria and Hiraea. In B('Jj'j1iste"lia 

the fruits are more like maple (Acer) keys. Hiraea 

has similar fruits, which are generally more symmetrical and have a relatively and lnore uniformly 

wider wing. Thus the fossil departs in the same re-

& Berry, E. W., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 353, pI. 111, 

figs. 2, 3, 1916. 
CAHPOLlTHUS 

bPCc.:ts from both Ulmus and Hi'J'aea, and its affinity 

l'('mains unsettled. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, north of Somerville, about one-half mile north of Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway, at fork of road leading to 

Yum Yum, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus plumosus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 15 

A plumose ft'u'it, or more probably a group of small 

achenes with an elongated filiform tail. The whole 

specimen is about 1.3 centimeters long and 3 millilneters wide at the rounded and inequilateral base, 

which suggests that the peduncle of the receptacle was 

oblique. The appendages curve upward and ,are flat 

and narrow, with n, maximum width of 0.5 millimeter, 

narrowing distad to filiform points, and about a centimeter in length. The details of the basal part are 

obscure, but the plumes preserve their identity proximad; whether or not they swell into smull seeds or 

nchenes can not be determined. The fact -that these 

plumes are of unequal length suggests that they represent an aggl'egation of plumed seeds or achenes of 

Rl11nU size rather than a single plumose carpel. 

From the illustrations it might seem that this form 

was the same as what I have called Oalycites puryea'J'ensis, but t.he two are obviously different despite 

theil' superficial resemblance. Oalycites pU'J'Yemrensis 

is plainly five-sepalous, with a distinct central peduncle, a,nel certainly represents a calyx. 

The botanic nature of OaTpolithus plwrrhOS1tS is 

problematic; the only comparison which seems fruitful is with existing species of Ole1natis and its allies. 

Occurrence: lIolly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus biseminatus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 49, figure 17 

Fruit apparently a bilocular stone or indehiscent 

capsule, prolate spheroidal in shape, possibly somewhat compressed in life, for it is much compressed as 

fossilized .. Elliptical in outline, about 1.2 centimeters 

in length and 6 millimeters in maximum width. Wall 

about 1 millimeter thick. Seeds elongated, two in 

number, smooth, rounded proximad and somewhat 

narrowed and bluntly pointed distad. 

It is impossible to decide whether this form represents a capsule such as charactel~ized, among others, 

the family Rubiaceae; 01' whether it is a two-celled 

stone such as characterizes, among others, the genus 

001-nUS. A somew~lat similar but considerubly larger 

and more ligneous form was described by me 85 from 

the Gatun formation of the Panama Canal Zone and 

8!l Berry, m. W., TIle fossil higher plants from the Canal Zone·: U. S. 

Nat. Mus. Bull. 103, p. 43, pI. 18, figs. 9-12, 1918. 

refel'l'ed to the fOrIn genus Rubiacites of the Rubiaceae, and it is my impression that the present fossil 

should be referred to this family. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Bradley pit, 2.7 

miles south of east of Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus leitneriaformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 49, figure 10 

This form, unfortunately based only upon the single 

specimen figured, represents a characteristic object 

and is markedly distinct from the numerous other cal'-

po10gic remains that have been found in th0. Wilcox. 

The features exhibited do not permit a decision regarding its botanic affinities. It may be incompletely 

described as follows: Fruit fusiform, or possibly somewhat compressed in life, widest above the middle, oblanceolate, tapering downward to what appears to be 

a persistent receptacle. The specimen has the appearance of having been somewhat fleshy in life, but not 

soft, and of considerable consistency. Length 1.1 to 

1.2 centimeters; maximum width about 4 millimeters. 

Peduncle stout, curved, about 5 millimeters long. 

The species is named from its resemblance, perhaps 

purely superficial, to the dry drupes of the monotypic 

American family Leitneriaceae, which occurs rather 

sparingly along the northern coasts of the Gulf of 

Mexico in the existing flora. The presence in the 

fossil of what appears to be a sepaliferous receptacle, 

if the interpretation is correct, precludes a relationship with Leitneria. Schenk 86 has figured the fruits 

of an existing species of Fi()U8 which appears to be 

exceedingly close to the present fossil, and it is quite 

possible, I might even say probable, that we are dealing with a fossU fig. However, as I can not satisfactorily convince myself that it is a Fi()U8, I prefer to 

refer ·it to the noncommital form genus Omrpolithus. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 2lj2 

miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus bicapsulis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 26 

Fruit capsular, double; consisting of a stout peduncle about 5 millimeters long, carrying two apparently subglobular capsules, which are about 4 millimeters long and 2 millimeters in maximum diameter 

and are crowned by persistent styles that account for 

about one-fourth of the length. 

This speci~s is based upon the single specimen figured, and this suggests comparisons with certain Rutaceae and Rubiaceae, but the preservation is such 

that complete certainty is impossible. Another possible interpretation is that the specimen represents a 

single two-valved terminal capsule, the two valves of 

which have been rotated upon one another to the 

60 Schenk, August, Pnlaeophytologle, p. 470, figs. 283-288, 1890. 
140 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

orientation sho·wn in the fossil. There is no evidence 

of this having occurred, and I do not regard it as 

probable. I have no suggestion to offer as to its botanic nJfinity. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. . 

Carpolithus inequilateralis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figures 27, 28 

Fruit apparently an indehiscent capsule, elliptical 

in outline and presumably prolate spheroidal in life, 

although it may have been somewhat compressed. 

Length about 5 millimeters; maximunl width about 3 

millimeters. Borne upon a stout peduncle about 3.5 

millimeters long, which is continuous with one side 

(presumably the ventral) of the capsule, which is 

somewhat flatter than the opposite side. The illustratjon does not show this feature very accurately. 

I have no conjectures to offer regarding the botanic 

affinity of this form, which ,is, based upon the single 

specjmen figured. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

Carpolithus kentuckyensis Berry, n. sp.' 

Plate 49, figure 16 

Fruit a stone, apparently single seeded, compressed' 

ovate and nearly equilateral in outline, thin except 

around the margin, smooth in life, hilum at one end. 

Length about 9 millimeters; maximum width about 5 

millimeters. 

This form is clearly distinct from the other carpologic remains that have been described from the WilCOA, but there is no basis for determining its botanic 

affinity., It is not related to Oornw8, Oinn(J)momurn, 

Nyssa, or V~burnum, to mention the names of genera 

to which have been assigned fossils that are superficially similar to the present fossils. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, pit of the Bell 

City Pottery, Calloway County, Ky. 

Carpolithus callowayensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figures 29, 30 

Fruit a bilocular capsule or a pair of septicidal capsules, varying considerably in size and length of 

peduncle, circular or elliptical in outline as preserved, 

and apparently more or less compressed in life. Surface tuberculate. Length 9 millimeters to 1.3 centimeters; maximum width 8 millimeters to 1.1 centimeters. Peduncle stout, varying from 5 millimeters 

to 1.2 centimeters in length. 

This species is based upon five specimens, which are 

more or less ferruginized replacements. At first sight 

the smaller and longer pedunculate forms appear to be 

distinct from the larger and shorter pedunculate forms, 

but both dehisce in the same manner and have a simi1arly ornamented surface.· Superficially they resemble 

fossil forms which are figured in the literature of 

paleobotany and which have been referred to the genus 

Fagus, but they are clearly not related to that genus. 

I have no conjectures to· offer regarding their real 

botanic affinity. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, pit of the Bell 

City Pottery, Calloway County, Ky. 

Genus ANTHOLITHES 

Antholithes mimosaformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 25, figures 23-25 

A single imperfect specimen represents this fossil 

flower. It shows parts of both the calyx and corolla. 

with a single exsert pistil and numerous exsert stamens 

with slender filaments and large two-celled anthers 

united at the tip of the filament. The stamens appear 

to have been more or less coalescent proximad and 

appear to be in two groups of fi ve or six each, although 

most have lost their anthers. There were probably 

10 or 12 stamens in life, more or less coherent. The 

whole flower is about a centimeter in length. 

In so far as its features can be made out, this flower 

appears to represent one of the Mimosaceae, and it 

shows a striking resemblance to the modern flowers 

of, the genus Pithecolobium, leaves of three species of 

which have been recognized in the Wilcox. 

Occurrence: Holly Spring~ sand, 1\1i11 Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Antholithes ternstroemi"oides Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 42, figures 5, 6 

This large flower is represented by the two specimens figured, one flattened parallel with the peduncle 

and the .other at right angles to the peduncle. As 

imperfectly preserved it does not afford features for a 

positive determination, but its resemblance to the 

flowers of several genera of the Ternstroemiaceae and 

the abundance of the leaves of Ternstro'e1nites associated with it at Puryear suggest that it should be referred to this family and also suggest the sp'ecific name 

t ernstroe1nioides. 

As nearly as the material can be interpreted, . it 

l'epI~esents a polypetalous flower with five large 

obovate petals, seemingly of delicate texture, but sufficiently durable to be fossilized. The sepals, of un-

, known number, appear to have been about one-third 

the length of the petals and relatively narrower. The 

stamens and pistil, obviously present,' are so mashed 

that no definite statement can be made regarding their 

features. The peduncle is stout and about a centimeter 

in length. The petals, variously folded and distorted 

in the specimens, are about 2.5 centimeters in length 

and 1.5 centimeters in maximum width; they are very 
ANTHOLITHES 141 

delicately veined, with reticulated, much elongated, 

narrow :meshes. The specimen preserved in profile is 

considerably smaller than the other specimens, its most 

nearly complete petal being 2.25 centimeters in length 

and 1.1 centimeters in maximum width. The larger 

flower has a diameter of about 6 centimeters (estimated). 

This flower appears to belong to the Ternstroemiaceae; in fact, it is very similar to those of both species 

of the genus Go?ylonria indigenous in the present. flora 

of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, especially the larger 

flowered Gonf)onia; lasi(unth~l8 Elliott, which occurs in 

shallow swa~nps :fr0111 southern Virginia to southern 

peninsular Florida and westward along the Gillf coast' 

to the Mississippi niver. The genus G01'donia, so far 

as I know, has not been recorded in tJle fossil state. 

It contains 10 or a dozen existing species in the region 

noted above and in tropical Asia and the Malay 

Archipelago.8oa 

Occurrence: lIolly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Antholithes iliciformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figures 8-10 

Flowers small, pedunculate, about 4 millimeters in 

diameter. Only one set of floral envelopes can be made 

out, but these could readily represent the corolla, and 

the calyx could be present in the material, although it 

has not been observed. Petals six in number, ovate in 

form, widest medianly, with rounded tips; apparently 

un it(~d proximad to a disldike or cuplike central portion, :faintly longitudinally veined, of considerable 

consistency .. The material is flattened and consists of 

two specimens. One of these is flattened along the axis 

and the other at right angles to it. The former shows 

a relatively stout peduncle about 3 millimeters long. 

There is little beyond the six-parted corolla (01' 

cnlyx) to furnish a clue to the botanic relationship of 

these flowers. A.s the specific name indicates, they suggest the Ilicaceae to me, although somewhat similar 

f01'lnS from the Baltic amber have been referred to 

SamtOu'(]W8 by Conwentz. In this family the calyx and 

corolla are four to six parted and the flowers small and 

pcdunculate and closely comparable in these respects 

with the fossil. In the genus fZer» two of our native 

species, f. deairl;u;a and f. monticola, commonly have 

the flower parts in sixes. The family is not a prominent element in the Wilcox flora, and it is quite 

possible that these flowers are not related to it. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

SOn Leaves and seeds of Goraonia from the late Miocene of Idaho 

und Washillgton huve been described recently (Berry, E. W., Am. Jour. 

Scl., 5th ser., vol. 18, pp. 429-432, 3 figs., 1929). 

63757--80--10 

Antholithes pruniformis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figures 11, 12 

This small flower, of which the specimen figured is 

the only one known, is different from any of the other 

flowers found in the Wilcox. It is about 4 millimeters 

in diameter and shows five rather delicate obovate 

petals, a cast of a central single pistil (style) and 

traces of numerous stamens, at least twice as many as 

the petals, and probably more. . 

It is not possible to arrive at any conclusive results 

as to affinity, but it appears to be almost certainly 

referable to the Rosaceae and is very much like the 

various existing smaller flowered species of Prunu.s. 

As characteristic pits of Pru1UU8, both plum and cherrylike, are not rare in the Wilcox, there is some justification for considering this flower to have represented 

some lower Eocene .species of cherry resembling those 

of the existing Prwnws demissa, P. se?'oCina, P. aflaba.-

'Inensis, or P. sp'h~ae1'ocarp·a. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Bradley pit, 2.7 

miles south of east of Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

Antholithes wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 50, figures 6, 7 

A small ganlOpetalous flower represented by only 

the single inconlplete specimen figured. This specimen shows the under side of the flower and furnishes 

the accompanying proximal and lateral views. The 

flower is detached from the peduncle, which has left 

H prominent scar at the apex of the receptacle. The 

receptacle is of considerable consistency as if it inclosed a partly developed hard fruit, for it stands 

llP in the impression as a hemispherical mound with 

striated sides. The persistent calyx is gamosepalous 

and divided about halfway to the base into five equal 

conical obtusely pointed lobes. A.t one side a part of 

the corolla appears to be represented by a single flat 

conical rounded lobe, which is about twice the size of 

the calyx lobes. If this lobe is what it appears to be, 

the corolla was gamopetalous and divided about halfway to the center into five equal petaloid lobes. The 

calyx is about 1 centimeter in diameter and the corolla 

a.bout 1.5 centimeters in diameter. The calyx alone 

shows considerable reseInblance to the corolla described 

as Solanites pusillMs Berry, but its lobes lack the 

prominent veins and pointed tips of that species; the 

receptacle, if it is a receptacle and not the cup-shaped 

central part of the calyx pressed down over the sphBri-

'cal ovary, is more hemispheric and less turbinate· in 

form than in the Solaniteg,,- and if the 'petaloid lobe 

is in organic union with the calyx, as it appears to 

be, there can be no question of the distinctness of the 

two forms. The botanic a~nity of this species appears 

to me to be entirely conjectural, for many of the sym-
142 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

petalous families contain some forms which have 

flowers of this general plan. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

Antholithes amenliferus Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 44, figure 23 

These objects represent stout catkins that are several 

centimeters in length and about "{ millimeters in 

diameter as preserved in the clay. The details are 

obs~ure, but a great many anthers can ,be made out. 

These are grouped in individual flowers, but no bracts 

or other flower parts can be made out, and there is no 

trace of pistillate parts, so that 1 conclude that the 

catkins preserved are wholly staminate. 

They are not referable to the Salicaceae but might 

represent some member of the Juglandaceae or 

Ji'agaceae-the genus Dryophyllum of the Fagaceae 

being a prominent Wilcox type. Until better material 

comes to light or a definite correlation with foliage 

can be made, their botanical position .must remain 

uncertain. 

Catkins have been found fossil at several localities 

and horizons in the Wilcox, but none of the other remains of this nature are identical with the present 

form. 

Occurrence: Grenada' formatio'n, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

Antholithes grablensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 45, figure 15 

It is difficult to decide whether the object figured 

represents a flower or a bilocular capsule with the 

crushed contents preserved in the center. The first is 

the interpretation 'which I have given it. The specimen shows an elongated and relatively stout peduncle 

that is about 8 millimeters in length. On either side 

at its apex is shown a pair of rounded, reticulate 

,,:"eined petaloid parts, and these are either thickened 

along a keel or the petaloid parts are subtended by 

stout lanceolate sepals or bracts. In the crushed central mass there is seen an axial median extension 

. which ~ight be considered to represent a single cen-. 

tral pistil, and this is surrounded by an indefinite 

shorter group of superimposed parts which might 

represent stamens. The whole is vaguely defined in 

the specimens, of which there are two, but it has a definiteness that stamps it as something new to this flora 

and not to be altogether ignored, even though its 

botanic affinity can not be determined at the present 

time. 

Occurrence ': Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Genus CALYCITES 

Calycites milanensis Berry, n. sp. 

Pia te 49, figures 6-8 

I have figured three of. the five specimens of this 

form coiIected. The form is a large gamosepalous 

calyx divided for one-third to one-half the distance 

inward toward the round hole representing the receptacle into five parabolically ~ounded lobes. The diameter of the larg~st specimen is 2.6 centimeters, the 

texture is coriaceous, and the transverse profile is 

gently curved as though it was accrescent and had subtended a subspherical fruit. No traces of venation 

. are visible. 

·1 have no very definite conjectures to offer regarding the botanic affinity of this form, except to point 

out that it might possibly represent some species of 

Diospyros in which the .calyx was five-parted. This 

calyx occurs in some species of Diospyros, and similar 

objects have been referred to that genus, but in the 

absence of any conclusive clue to relationship I prefer 

to refer it to the form genus Oa,Zycit'es. Since describing this form I have seen a number of accrescent 

calices of various genera of palms which greatly resemble this fossil. None are exactly like it, and those 

I have seen are either six-lobed or entire. However, 

1 believe that these fossils are more likely to represent, 

palms than any other type with whieh I am familiar. 

Doubtless eventually more perfect material will come 

to light, which will enable its botanic affinity to be 

determined beyond reasonable doubt. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 1 mile west of 

Milan, Gibson County, Tenn. 

Calycites puryearensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 48, figure 4 

Calyx persistent, with a peduncle about 2:5 millimeters in length; rounded proximad; deeply divided 

into five erect, lanceolate lobes, which are slightly over 

1 centimeter in length and about 3 ·millimeters in maximum width at the base, of considerable consistency. 

This form is a distinctive type of unknown botanic 

relationship. It is ~uperficially like Oarpolithus 

plwmosits in the figures but is clearly distinct and is 

~onc~usively a calyx and not a quinquelocular capsule. 

It may well have been accrescent, however,and have 

contained a carpel of some kind, but no traces of such 

are indicated in the two specimens. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Calycites rhizophoroides Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 45, figure 12 

This species is based upon a single specimen, but 

it i~ impossible to determine conclusively whether this 
PHYLLITES 143 

specimen represents a calyx or a corolla. It is believed 

to represent a calyx, largely because of certain resemblances which it appears to show and also because 

of its coriaceous nature, alt~ough that is recognized 

as a not very convincing reason. A canvass of its 

possible botanic relationship appears to point to the 

genus Rhizophora. It is certainly not., in my judgment, referable to Diospyros, to which paleobotanists have referred somewhat similar remains. There 

appear to be traces of a single pistU and of one short 

stamen, but these points are not at all certain and 

may be a false interpretation of the crushed receptacle. What can be made out positively is a fourparted coriaceous calyx 2.4 centimeters across, deeply 

divided into nearly linear lobes 2.5 times as long as 

wide, rounded distad to an abrupt point. These lobes 

are united with the crushed receptacle. 

It is of ,about the same size as the calyx of our common existing Rhizophora mangle Linne, differing in 

that the calyx lobes are linear rather than conical. 

In comparing the fossil with the flowers of the existing species one is easily led to see the turbinate tube 

with the partly inferior ovary, the bracts, and traces 

of the central pistil ,and short stamens, although these 

may be subjective. The petals are caducous in 

Rhizophora and not likely to have been preserved. 

The actual points of agreement between the fossil and 

a R7~izoplwra flower are the greatly thickened and 

deeply four-parted calyx on a turbinate tube. The 

botanical relationship can not therefore be proved, and 

I h~ve indicated my own preference by the specific 

name rldzophoroides. No traces of foliar remains 

have been found in the Wilcox which can be attributed 

to RhtizophrYra, but it is present in this same area in 

the overlying Claiborne (middle Eocene), and it is 

therefore not improbable that it was present in the 

lower Eocene, as various mangrove associates, such 

as .A vicen'flJia, 0 onocarpus, and 0 omb'J'etwm, have been 

r,ather definitely recognized in the Wilcox. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn. . 

Genus PHYLLITES 

Phyllites grenadensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 45, figures 13, 14 

A tiny leaf or bract, broadly lanceolate, slightly 

falcate, widest medianly, and about equally pointed 

at both ends. Base flat, without a petiole, and apparently appressed in life. Margins entire. Texture relatively coriaceous for so small an object. Veins thin, 

all of a size, diverging dichotomously in the base, six 

to eight in number above the initial forking; usually 

forked a second time about halfway up, the second 

forks in some places anastomosing, all arched inward 

distad to join the adjacent vein subtended. 

This form may possibly represent a distinct species 

of Wilcox plant, but it is more likely of the nature of a 

bract. Its affinities have not been determined, but it 

is perfec~ly distinct and should be readily recognizable 

in future collections. 

Occurrence: Grenada formation, Cottage Grove·, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

Undeterminable leaf 

Plate 25, figure 21 

This fragment of a leaf can not be satisfactorily 

determined. It is figured because it is an additional 

and distinct member of the Wilcox flora. The single 

specimen indicated a small elongate elliptical or lanceolate leaf, of delicate texture and acrodrome venation. The venation comprises a flat mid vein and two 

pairs of lateral acrodrome primaries with irregular 

cross veinlets. 

I~ appears to me to represent some monocotyledonous 

plant, and may well represent a species of Po'ta'mOgeton,. which it not only resembles but which would 

agree with the indicated environment at the locality 

where it was found. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, 2 miles southeast 

of Bolivar, on the Oak Hill road (Murrell property), 

Hardeman County, Tenn. 

Flower petals 

Plate 48, figures 15-17 

There are numerous specimens in the collections 

from Puryear which seem to be clearly those of petals 

of some fairly large polypebilous flower. Those figured range from 1.4 to 1.8 centimeters in length and 

from 6 to 14 millimeters in maximum width toward 

the apex. They are emarginate or retuse at the tip 

and either spatulate or with a more expanded limb, 

narrowing abruptly or gradually to the truncated base. 

They are of considerable consistency, but this is by 

no means incompatible with their supposed nature. 

In the past attempts have been made to determine 

their botanic affinity, and somewhat similar objects 

have been identified as petals of a magnoli~ceous 

flower. The present form is by no means incompatible 

with such a relationship, but there are a great many 

other things which it might equally well represent, 

and I have no conjectures to offer as to its probable 

affinity. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry 

County, Tenn. 

Bracts 

Plate 48, figures 24, 25 

Small oyate-Ianceolate foliar appendages occur at a 

number of localities in the Wilcox, and these evidently 

• 
• 

144 THE LOWER EOCENE WILCOX FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES 

represent bracts or bud scales. They are abruptly 

rounded and slightly inequilateral at the base with a 

subcentral scar of attachment, which seems to preclude 

considering them to represent stipules. ,They range 

in: length from 1 to 1.75 centimeters, and from 3 to 

7 millimeters in maximum width. They have pointed 

tips and fine parallel venation. Their botanic position is problematic. 

Occurrence:' Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry' 

County, Tenn. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn. 

OSTRACODA 

Cypris wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. 

Plate 33, figure 11 

Species based on the single specimen figured. This 

is as far as I know the first ostracode to be encountered 

in the Wilcox, although several species have been described from the early Eocene' of Maryland~87 The 

shell is unusually large, being 4 millimeters long and 

2 millimeters high. The surface is entirely smooth 

and nonpunctate, and the. margins are entire. The 

general outline is elongate reniform, the dorsal margin 

being n10re curved than the ventral, and, the shell 

tapers forward and downward. It is rather evenly 

arched but wider behind the middle, the posterior 

margin being slightly flattened. 

The visible characters are insufficient for any proper 

specific diagnosis, but there is little doubt that it represents the genus Oypris; and as animal remains are so 

rare in the leaf-bearing areas of the Wilcox, a large 

and presumably fresh-water species is an item of considerable interest. 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

87 Ulrich, E. 0., Maryland Geol. Survey, Eocene, pp. 116-122, pl. 16, 

1901. • 

NEUROPTERA 

Generically undeterminable 

-Caddis lly larval cilsesusually referred t9 the pSEmdogenus 

~ndusia 

There are two specimens in the collections from Mill 

Creek that can hardly represent anything but the 

larval cases of some Wilcox species of caddis fly. The 

larger specimen is 1.4 centimeters long and not quite 

3 millimeters in diameter as preserved. The other is 

1.1 centimeters long and slightly over 2 millimeters in 

diameter. Both are straight and apparently tubular, 

,truncated 'at the, ends, approximately of equal diameter throughout, the smaller one slightly tapering. 

They are both composed of similar materials, apparently selected sand grains approximately 0.5 millimeter in diameter and of quartz and small plates of mica. 

The remains are 'too incomplete for naming or 

framing any, adequate specific diagnosis, but their 

character and the fact of their occurrence in a finegrained plastic clay lacking either quartz sand or mica 

precludes assigning them to anything but an organic 

agency, and so far as they show characters they agree 

absolutely with the tubes formed by the aquatic larvae 

of some of the Trichoptera, and from a rather limited 

knowledge of this group I should say represent some 

species of the family Sericostomatidae or Leptodoceridae. Fossil caddis flies are not rare throughout the 

Tertiary in various parts of the world, and Fritsch 88 

has described what appears to be a larval case from the 

Upper Cretaceous of Bohemia, so that their presence 

in the lower Eocene of the Southeastern States is not 

especially remarkable. I have also described specimens 

from the Wilcox 89 and from the Miocene of the western United States.90 

Occurrence: Holly Springs sand, Miil Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

88 Fritsch, A., and Bayer, E., Naturwi~s. Landesd. Bl)hmcn Arch,,", 

Band 11, No.2, p. 169, fig. 10, 1900. 

89 Berl'y, E. W'o U. S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 71, art. 14, '1027. 

00 Berry,' E. W., Washington Acad. Sci. JOllr., vol. 18, pp. GO-61, 

'1928. 
----~-~~-------- ------- -- ----.-~---.-----.-----

PLATES 7-50 

-' .. -.- - . -:.:..::-. :.=:::=::=:::;:=:======== ===============================:.-================================== , 145 
PLATE 7 

Page 

1. Eq1lisetum sp.., Berry. Fragment of rhizome or underground stem with three tubers. Holly Springs sand, gully 

mile west of Laconia, Fayette County, Tenn _____________________________ r ______________ :...__________ 47 

2, 3. Salvinia preauriculata Berry. Photograph and drawing of a floating leaf. Holly Springs sand" Jackson-Bolivar 

road north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn ________________________ ~ _________ ~___________ 47 

4. Lygodium hastataformeBerry, n.' sp. A single pinna. Carrizo sandstone, Nueces River north of La Pryor, Zavala 

County, Tex ____________________________________________________ ~______________________________ 50 

0. Lygodium trilobatum Berry, n. sp. A single trilobate pinna. Holly Springs sand, 27~ miles north of Shandy, Hardeman 

County, Tenn ________________________________________ ~_________________________________________ 50 

6. Phanerophlebites knowltoni Berry, n. sp. Fragment of a pinna, illustrating the usual poorly preserved method of 

occurrence. Holly Springs sand, gully on Jim Davenport property, Fayette County, Tenn_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 48 

7-9. Glyptostrobus europaeus (Brongniart) Heer ______________________________________ .:. __________________ ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 52 

7. Twig preserved in clay. Holly Springs sand, road west of La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn. 

8, 9. Fragments of twigs washed out of the lignite, seam 'in the Holly Springs sand on Taylor farm, Chester 

County, Tenn. ' 

10-12. Taxodium wilcoxianum Berry, n. sp. Characteristic seeds washed out of the lignite seam in the Holly Springs sand 

on Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn____________________________________________________________ 53 

13. Poacites sp. Photograph of a specimen of clay from the Holly Springs sand to show the abundance of grasslike 

foliage. Gully 1 mile west of Laconia, Fayette County, Tenn_______________________________________ 53 

146 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 7 

3 

2 

7 8 x 2 

1 

, 

9 X2 

X2 

X2 

6 

FOSSIL PLA TS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE S 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 8 

1. Spargani~tm? sp. Betry. Pistillate head from beds near the top of the Holly Springs sand at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn __________________________________________________________________ ~--------------- 54 

2,3. Arali(t? semina Berry, n. sp. Seeds from pit of Bell City Pottery, Calloway County, Ky ______________________ 124 

4:. Platan~l.s nobilis Newberry. Fragment of a leaf showing characteristic venation. Upper plant horizon, big cut at 

Pine Top, Hardeman County, TelllL _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ ____ _ _ ________ ________ ___ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ ______ _ _ _ 62 

5,6. Pal11tOCaq)On syagntsioides Berry, n. sp. Nuts of a new species of palm_____________________________________ 56 

5, Atkins pit, Henry County, Tenn. . 

6, Bolivar-Jackson road north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

7. Acorus heeri Berry, n. sp. Spadix from road west of La Grange, Fayette' County, Tenn________________________ 5f; 

All from Holly Springs sand .. 

147 

PROPERlY OF ~BUREAU OF MiNES 
PLATE 9 

1-3. Artocarpus pungens (Lesquereux) Hollick ________ "_"_" __ -_-_______________ " __ " ________________________ " _________ _ 

1. Small leaf of breadfruif 

2, 3. Basal parts of leaves to show venation. Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

4:. Juglans occidentalis Newberry. A "complete leaflet of" this "Wilcox -species of walnut. Murrell place, Hardeman 

County, Tenn _________________________________________________________________________________ _ 

All from the Holly Springs sand. 

148 

'Page 

63 

. 58 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

3 

.-1 

i 

~ 

I 

FosSrL PLANTS OF T.HE WILCOX GHOUl' 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 9 

2 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 10 

3 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 10' 

Page 

1. Platamts nobilis Newberry. Basal lateral lobe of a large leaf, showing the character of the margin and the characteristic 

tertiary venation. Big cut' at Pine Top, Hardeman County, Temi___________________________________ 62, 

2. 111 enispermites hardemanensis Berry, n. sp. - Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn ______________ :... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 69 

3. Smilax wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. Complete leaf, showing characteristic venation. La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn__ 57 

All from the Holly Springs sand. 

149 
PLATE 11 

1-4:. Menispermites american1ls Berry, n. SIL-- ___ .:. _____________________________ - _ - - - _ - - - __ -- __ - - - - - - -- __ ~ - - _ -- __ _ 

1-3. Drawings of various sized leaves of this species. 

4:. Photograph of a fourth specimen. Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

5, 6. Pisonia fructifera Berry, n. sp _________________________________________________________ :.. __________________ _ 68 

5. Photograph of a characteristic fruit of this species. 

6. Drawing of same, enlarged.· Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

7. Platanus nobilis Ne"rberry. Fragment of a leaf showing typical tertiary venation. Murrell place, Hardeman County, Tenn ________________________________________________________________________________ _ 62 

AU from the Holly Springs sand. . 

150 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSION AL PAPER 156 PLATE 11 

4 

FOSSIL PLA 'TS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 12 

U. S . GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

4 

1. 2 

3 

7 

9 

1J 

10 13 

12 

FOSSI L PLA TS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 12 

1. A:lnuodal71s wiicox£ana Berry,n. sp. A typical corrugated stone of this species. Grenada formation, 2.9 miles 

southwest of Somerville, near Moses HaU, Fayette County, Tenn ____________________________ ~ _______ _ 

2-4. CII1'ysobalanus eocenica Berry. Stones of the Wilcox cocoa plum ____________________________________________ _ 

2, 3.- Reproduced froin U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 91, showing mode of preservation in clay. 

4. More characteristic specimen washed from lignite seam in Holly Springs sand on Taylor farm, Chester County, 

Tenn. 

5. Ca?tavalia aC1tminala Borry. A small loaflet from tho Holly Springs sand at Mill Creek, Hardeman County, TelllL_ 

U. Mimos'iles va1'iabilis Beny. Leaflet from the Holly Springs sand at Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Te1111 _______ _ 

7. Cassia wilcoxiana Berry. A small pod of this species from the Holly Springs sand at Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn ___________________________________________________________________________ ~ ____________ _ 

8. Cassia fayettensis Berry. A small leaflet from the Holly Springs sand at Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Te1111 ___ _ 

9. Par1cinsonia eocenica BeITY, n. sp. Fragment of the moniliform pod of this species from the Holly Springs sand at ]~fi Grange, Ffiyette County, TelHL _____________________________________________________ .,. ________ _ 

10. Pan'olia c1tneala (Newberry) Berry. A large leaflet of this species from the Wilcox formation in sec. 10, T. 14 S., 

R. 21 'V., Nevada County, Ark _______________________________________________________________ ' __ _ 

U,12. LeO'U?ninosiles clrepanocarpoicles Berry, n. sp. Leaflets from the Holly Springs sand at Mill Creek, Hardeman qounty, Tenn _____________________________________________________________________ ! ___ ~ ________ ~------

12. Enlm'ged to show venation. ' 

13. Cassia 1)1t1'yearensis Berry. Leaflet from the Holly Springs sand at Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Te1111 ________ _ 

151 

Page 

72 

73 

86 

73 

79 

79 

77 

71 

86 

81 
PLATE 13 

Puge 

1. Hymenaea eocenica Berry, n. sp. Bifoliate leaf from the Holly Springs sand at Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn_ 82 

2. Hymenaea candolleana Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kunth. Nature print of a leaf of a modern species from Colombia 

introduced for comparison with Hymenaea eocenica Berry. 

3. Leguminosites shandyensis Berry, n. sp. Leaflet from the Holly Springs sand, 2}{ miles north of Shandy, Hardeman 

County,Tenn _________________________________________________________ ~________________________ 88 

4,5. Leguminosites .andiraformis Berry, n. sp. Leaflets from the Holly Springs sand" road west of La Grange, Fayette 

County, Tenn__________________________________________________________________________________ 87 

G,7. Leguminosites c9llinsi Berry, n. sp. Fragments of pods from the Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn ___________________ ~ ________________________ ~____________________________________________ 89 

8. Leguminosi~es ingafructoides Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, 'renn______________ 87 

152 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SUHVEY PHOFESSIONAL PAPEH 156 PLATE 13 

3 

4 

6 7 8 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX CROUP 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 14 

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

2 3 4 5 

13 17 

20 

19 

7 8 10 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
" 

PLATE 14 

Page 

1. LegU1ninosites /wnlemanensis Berry, n. sp. A. seed of some leguminous plant. Holly Springs sand, Young farm, 

northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn____________________________________________________ 89 

2-6. Leg1/.'/I~inosites arachioides minO?' Berry, n. var. Leguminous fruits of the Holly Springs sand____________________ 89 

2, a. Gully along old State line road, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

4:-6. Big cut at Pine Top, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

7-10. Le(J'tl.lII:inosites chesterensis Berry, n. sp. Seeds washed out of the lignite seam in the Holly Springs sand at the Taylor 

farm, Chester County, TelHL ________________________________________________ ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 89 

11,12. 111anihot eocenica Berry, n. sp. Photograph and drawing of same specimen to show venation. Holly Springs sand, 

Mill Creek, :Elardeman County, Te1111- _______________________________________ .:_ _ _ _ _ _______ _ _______ 95 

la-ln. Hetcrocalyx sa1JOrtana. Berrl Calices or fruits from Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, TelllL _ _ _ 96 

17. Celast?·us minor Berry. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Te11lL____________________________ 97 

18. A.nacanW,es eoceniC11S Berry, n. sp. Leaflet from Wilcox formation in sec. 10, T. 14 S., R. 21 'V., Nevada County, 

Ark___________________________________________________________________________________________ 96 

19. S(1)-indw'J linea1'1)olills Berry. Ali anomalous constricted leaf of this species. Holly Springs sand, Holly Springs, 

Miss ______________ ~-~---------------------------------________________________________________ 101 

20,21. Celasl?'1Is veatchi Hollick. Holly Springs E'and, old Murrell place, 2 miles southeast of Bolivar, Hardeman County, 

Tenn_~ ______________ ~-------------~------------------- _____________________________________ ~- 97 

(13757-30--12 153 
PLATE 15 

.Page 

1-3. Grewiopsis tennesseensis Berry. Fragments of large leaves of this species _______________ .________________________ 106 

1. Extended acuminate tip. Grenada formation, about 1 mile north or" Somerville, north of Loosahatchic 

River, Fayette County, Tenn. .. 

2. Median portion of a large leaf with characteristic margin and venation. Same horizon and locality as '1. 

3. Basal part of leaf. Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn, 

154 
l'HOFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PI"ATl'] 15 

u. S. G]~OI .. OG1CAT .. SUltVEY 

3 

FOSSLJ.. PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GHOUP 

PROPERTY OF ~.BUREAU OF MINES 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 16 

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

2 4 

FOSSIL PLA TS OF TI-lE WILCOX cnoup 
PLATE i6 

1':-4:. Grewiopsis ten:nesseensis Berry. Showing variations in" this species __________________ :.. _________________________ _ 

1. A very small leaf. Grenada formation, about 1 mile north of Somerville, north of Loosahatchie River, 

li'ayette County, Tenn. 

2. A large leaf much less acuminate than that shown in Plate 15, Figure 1. Same horizon and locality as 1. 

:J~ 4-. Holly Springs sand, in Fayette County, Tenn., 1 mile southwest of Grand Junction, Hardeman County. 

155 

Page 

'106 
o 

PLATE 17 

Pnge 

1-6. Cissites collinsi Berry, 11. sp. Showing the variations in outline and venation of this species. Holly Springs salld, 

Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tellll ____________________________________________________________ _ 102 

." 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLA'l'E 17 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF T HE WILCOX GROUP 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 18 

2 

4 5 

FOSS IL PLANTS OF T H E WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 18 

l. CrY1)tocarya 'Wilcoxiana Berry, n. sp .. A complete leaf of this species from the Holly. Springs Eand, Illinois Central Railrottd, north of Shandy, Hardeinan COUl?ty, 1'e11lL ______________ ~ __________________________________ _ 

2. CluSi(1)hylh(,m, eocenicum, Berj'y, n. sp. Fragment of a large leaf from Wilcox formation in sec. 10, 1'. 14 S., R. 21 'V., 

Nevada Count)~ Ark _____________________________________ ~------------- _______________________ _ 

3. Sterculia zavalana Berry, n. sp. Probably an anomalous leaf form. Carrizo sandstone, Nueces River, north of La 

Pryor, Zavala County, 1'ex _______ . ___ ~ _____________________________________ -- ___________________ _ 

4:. ]3uettneri(£ eocenica Berry, n. sp. Holly' Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, 1'e11lL ______________________ _ 

5. Gl'e'Wiopsis elegans Berry·, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, 1'eI11L ______________________ _ 

157 

Page 

113 

113 

107 

107 

105 
·1 

PLATE 19 

.Page 

1. Cinnamomum ovoides Perkins. Fruit washed out of .lignite seam in Holly Springs sand on Taylor farm, Chester 

'County, Tenn_________________________________________________________________________________ 114 

2. Laurus collinsi Berry, n. sp. Fruit of some lauraceous plant. Holly. Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn~________________________________________________________________________________________ 117 

3. Law'us hardemanensis Berry, n. sp. Proximal view of a cupule of some laurllceous fruit. Holly Springs sand, big . cut at Pine Top, Hardeman County,. TelllL _____________________ ._ _ _ _ _____ __ __ _ _ _ _____ _ _ _ _ _ ___ __ _ _ _ 117 

.4:, 5. Melastomites ovatus Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, western edge of La Grange, Fayette County, TelllL_______ 118 

5. Drawing of same specimen shown in 4:, to indicate the characteristic venation. 

6-8. Nyssa wilcoxiana Berry. A species of gum of the Holly Springs sand ________________ -"_______________________ 126 

6. Large form of stone. Bolivar-Somerville road, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

7, 8. Narrow stones from Saulsbury, Hardeman 'County, Tenn. 

9. Nyssa tennesseensis Berry, n. sp. Gum leaf from Holly S,prings sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, TelllL _ _ _ _ _ 125 

10. Nyssa curta Perkins. Stone washed out of lignite seam in Holly Springs sand on Taylor farm, Chester Coun~y, 

Tenn_________________________________________________________________________________________ 125 

11, 12. Bumelia americana (Lesquereux) Berry. Holly Springs sand, Bolivar-Jackson road north of Clover Creek, Harde- man County, Tenn ______ : ____________________________________ ~ _______________ ~_________________ 128 

13,14:. ApocynophylltmL sapindifolium Hollick~ _________________________ ~_______________________________________ 129 

13. Holly Springs sand, near Cloverport, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

14:. 'Vilcox formation, sec. 10, T. 14 S., R. 21 W., Nevada County, Ark. 

15. Apocynophyll1tm mississippiense ovatum Berry, n. val'. Grenada formation, Whiteville gully, Hardeman County, Tenn ________________ ~ ________________________________ ~_______________________________________ 129 

16, 17. Acerates w"2lcoxiana Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tel1lL_..: _______ :..___________ 131 

17. Part of leaf enlarged to show the characteristic venation. 

158 
• U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 19 

X2 

1 3 

7 2 8 

6 

4 

13 14 16 In 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF T HE WILCOX GROUP 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 20 

U. S. GEOLQGICAL SURVEY 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 20 

Page 

1-5~ OreOl)(LnaX 'Wilcoxensis Beny, n. sp. Showing the variations in the highly characteristic digitately lobed leaves of this 

species________________________________________________________________________________________ 122 

1-a. Holly springs sttncl, Mill Creek, Httrdeman County, Tenn. 

4. CIU'rizo sandstone, Nueces River Jlorth of La Pryo'r, Zavala County, Tex. 

5. Holly Springs sand, 27~ miles north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

159 
PLATE 21 

Page 

1-4. Oreopanax wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. Extremes of variation in the small digitately lobed leaves of this species. Holly 

Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn____ _ ___ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ ___ _ _ _ i22 

5,6. Ficus pandurifolia Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn __ ~ ______ '_________ 64 

7. Negunclo knowltoni Berry;n. sp. A lateral leaflet. Grenada formation, about 1 mile north of Somerville, north of 

Loosahatchie River, Fay~tte Coun.ty, TelllL _____________________________________________________ ~ _ 98 

8. Liquiclambar wilcoxiamml, Berry, n. sp. A leaf of the Wilcox red gum. Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Harde- ma~ County, Tenn ______________ ~ _______________ ~ __________________________ ~___________________ 72 

160 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 21 

u. S. GEOJ,OGICAL SURVEY 

l. 

2 

5 

j<'OSSlL PLANTS OF T IIE WILCOX GROUP 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 22 

:FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 22· 

Page 

1-4:. Inga law'inajolia Berry. Showing the variation in the leaflets of this species at the locality 6 miles north of Scottsville, Harrison County, TeL __________________________ - _ - ___ - __ "- __ - _________ - _ _ _ _ ________ _ _ _____ 76 

5. Legmninosil,es collinsi Berry, n. sp. Pod supposed to be related to the genus Cercis . . Near top of Holly Springs sand, 

northwest of Pattersonville, Fayette County, Tenn ___________________________________________ ~_'____ 89 

6. P'ithecolobi~t7n? tennesseense Berry, n. sp. Leaflet from bed near the top· of the Holly Springs sand, northwest of 

Pattersonville, Fayette County. Te1111 __________ ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ ___ 75 

7. Simar'uba eocenica Berry. Part of the apex of an odd-pinnate leaf. Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn ___________ - ________ .____________________________________________________________ 93 

8. Leg~t7ninosites andirajormis Berry, n. sp. Leaflet from bed near the top of the Holly Springs sand, northwest of Pattersonville, Fayette County, Tenn- - ______________ - __ - '- __ - _____________________________________ .___ 87 

9. Coccolobis uvifm'ojolia Berry. A nearly complete leaf of this species from the Wilcox formation 6 miles north of Scottsville, Harrison County. Tex ______ . ________ .:. __________________________________________________ ~--- 67 

161 

637m -30--13 
PLATE 23 

Page 

A large and nearly complete leaf of Ficus mississippiensis gigantea Berry, n. var., from clay ironstone in the Grenada formation, 17~ miles southwest of Somerville, Fayette County, TeI1ll_______________________________________ 64 

162 
u. S. agOLocnCAL SUHVl~Y PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 23 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER ]56 PLATl<J 24 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 24. 

Page 

A nearly complete leaf of Ste~c1tlia pllryearensis Beri·y from the Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn ______________________________________________________________________ ~__________________ 109 

163 
PLATE 25 

Page 

1. Carpolithus shandyensis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tel1TI________________ 135, 

2-5. Carpolith'us gronovii Berry, n. sp. Lignite seam in Holly Springs sand, Taylor fann, Chester County, Ter1l1__ _ _ _ _ _ 135 

6,7. Carpolithus silertonensis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand _____________________ ~____________________________ 136 

6. Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

7. Lignite seam on Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn. 

8. Carpolithus taylorensis Berry, n. sp. Lignite seam in Holly Springs sand, Taylor farm, Chester County, Tenn __ .'_ _ 136 

9. Carpolithus chesterensis Berry, n. sp. Lignite seam in Holly Springs sand, Taylor farm, Chester County, TemL _ _ _ 136 

10. Carpolithus collinsi Berry, n. sp. Lignite seam in Holly Springs sand, Taylor farm, Chester County, Ter1TI________ 137 

11. Carpolithus puryearensis Berry. Grenada formation, Whiteville gully, Hardeman County, Tel1TI_________________ 137 

12. Carpolithus poaformis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Bolivar road near Center Church, about 5 miles north of 

Grand Junction and just east of Illinois Central Railroad, Hardeman County, Tenn____________________ 138 

13. Euonymus? fructescens Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, old Murrell place, southeast of Bolivar, Hardeman 

County, Tenn_~------------------------------------------------ _________ ~_____________________ 98 

14. Carpolithlts sapindoides Berry, n. sp. Fruit supposed to represent the genus Sapindlts. Holly Springs sand, Bolivar 

road near Center Church, about 5 miles north of Grand Junction and just east of Illinois Central Railroad, 

Hardeman County, Te11l1~ ________________________________________________________________ ~ __ _ __ 137 

15. Leguminosites monospernwides Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, TemL._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 90 

16,17. Carpolithus longepedunculatus Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand _____________ '_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 136 

16. Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

17. 2% miles north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn, 

18. Carpolithus juncaformis Berry, n. sp. Fruit supposed to represent a rush ,(Juncus). Holly Springs sand, La Grange, 

Fayette County, Tenn _____________ ~ ____________ ~-----------------------~_______________________ 138 

19. Sterculiocarpus sphericus Berry, n. sp"Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Te11l1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 109 

20. CariJolithus gronovii Berry. Holly Springs sand, gully on old Bolivar-Somerville road, Hardeman County, Tenn_ _ 135 

21. Undeterminable leaf. Holly Springs sand, old Murrell place, southeast of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Telm _ _ _ _ _ _ 143 

22. Cassia fayettensis Berry. A somewhat abnormal leaflet frOlll the Holly Springs sand at La Grange, Fayette 

County, Tenn __________________ ~ _______________________________________ ----------------------- 79 

23-25. AnthoWhes mimosaformis Berry, n. sp. Flowers supposed to represent some mimosaceous form. Holly Springs 

sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Ter1TI ____ ~_ . _________________ ~_______________________________ 140 

. 23. Photograph of speciInen, natural size. 

24. Photograph of a specimen, enlarged. 

25. Drawing of specimen shown in 24. _ 

26-29. CelastrocarpltS eocenicus Berry, n. sp. Fruit of some member of the family Celastraceae. Holly Springs sand, just 

south of Saulsbury, Hardeman County, Tenn______________________________________________________ 97 

30. Carpolithus alatus Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Bolivar road near Center Church, about 5 miles north of Grand 

Junction and just east of Illinois Central Railroad, Hardeman County, TemL_________________________ 135 

31. Solanites sarrachaformis Berry, n. sp. Flower or calyx. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tel11L 131 

32. Diospyros as per Berry, n. sp. Rough calyx of a Wilcox species of persimmon. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, 

Hardeman County, Telm _____________________________________ . ________________________ ,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 127 

33. Carpolithus malpighiaformis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn_________ 134 

34-36. Solanites crassus Berry, n. sp. Showing the variable flowers or calices of some member of the family Solanaceae. 

Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, TeI1l1___________________________________________ 131 

164 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSION AL PAPER 156 PLATE 25 

X 2 

8 X 2 4 3 6 x 2 2 5 9 

1 

X2 

10 

11 12 

13 

14 15 

18 

17 

19 

16 

20 23 

21 22 

24 X2 25 

G ()" 31 

29 30 

28 

27 

26 

32 33 34 35 36 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF T ilE WILCOX GROUP 
U. S. G}JOJ"OGICAL SUHVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 I'LATE 26 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 26 

Page 

A hLl'ge leaf of Slm'wlia wilcoxcnsis Berry from the upper plant bed in the big cut in the Holly Springs sand at Pine Top, • Hn.l'cieman County, Tel1lL ____________________________________________ ~ __ "__ _____ _ _ __ _________ _ ___ 107 

165 
PLATE 27 

Page 

1. Canavalia awniinata Berry? Holly Springs sand, northwest of Pattersonville, Fayette County, TemL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _86 

2. Leguminosites robertsi Berry, 11. sp. Holly Springs sand, in Fayette County, Tenn., 1 mile southwest of Grand Junction, 

Hardeman County ________ ~_~-------~----------------------------- ____________________________ -- 88 

3. Oreopanax wilcoxensis crenulatus Berry, n. val'. An anomalous leaf considered to be a variety of the common Oreopanax 

wilcoxensis Berry. Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn____________________________________________ 122 

4:. Diospyros eolignitica Berry, n: sp. Leaf from the Wilcox formation of sec. 10, T. 14 S., R. 21 W., Nevada County, Ark_ _ 126 

5. Sterculia wilcoxensis Berry. Leaf from the upper plant bed in the big cut in the Holly Springs sand at Pine TOl'>, Harde- man Count)~ Tenn ___________________________ ~_________________________________________________ 107 

6. Hiraea wilcoxiana Berry.- Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn__________________________ 95 

166 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 27 

3 

5 

4 

6 

]<'OSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SUHVEY 

PHOFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 28 

1 

2 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 28 

Page 

1-3. 'l'crnstroemites crassus Berry, n. sp. A remarkably lar.ge and coarse new species from the. Holly Springs sand_.!______ 110 

1. Showing basal lamina and extraordinarily stout petiole. Locality in Fayette County, Tenn., 1 mile southwest of Grand Junction, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

2. West of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Teml. 

3. Restoration of a complete leaf. 

167 
PLATE 29 

Page 

1. Legmninosites ingafructoides Berry, n. sp. Proximal part of a pod showing the peduncle. Holly Springs sand, west 

of Bolivar, Hardeman County, TeI1l1___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 87 

2. Celastrus bolivarensis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardema,n County, Tenn. ______________ ·__ 97 

3, 4. Combretmn leve Berry, n. sp. An elongate, coarse species from the Holly Springs sand, Smiths Church, northwest 

of Pattersonville, Fayette County, TemL __________________ ~ ____________________________________ ._ _ _ 118 

5. Potamogeton incertus Berry, n. sp. A floating leaf of a' Wilcox species of pond'veed. Holly Springs' sand, 27~ miles 

north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Term_ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ ___ __ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ 54 

6. Simaruba.eqcenica Berry. A leaflet from the Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tel1lL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 93 

7. A nacai-dites ineq1tilateralis Berry, n. sp ______________________________________________________________ - - - _ _ _ _ 96 

8, 9. Oreodaphne intermedia Berry, n. sp. Showing the limits of variation of this species. Holly Springs ·sand. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 116 

. 8.' Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

9. West of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

168 

••••••• w 

. ., 
U. S . GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL P APEH 156 PLATE 29 

4 8 9 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GnO Ur 

PROPERTY OF U. S. BUREAU OF MINES -
U. S. GEOLOGICAl, SU RVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 30 

5 

7 

9 

8 

6 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 30 

1-4:. Cupanites formos1ts Berry, n. sp ______________ . ____________________________________________________________ _ 

1. A detached Interal leaflet from bed near the top of the Holly Springs sand, Smiths Church, northwest of 

Pn,ttersonville, Fayette County, Tenn. , 

2. A nen.rly complete cOlupound leaf. Grenada formation, northwest of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

3. A lnteralleaflet from ironstone float in the ·Grenada formation, southwest of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

4:: A lateral leaflet. Grenada forination, 5 miles southwest of Williston, Fayette County, Tenn. 

5-8. Nfimosites acaciafoli11.S Berry. Holly Springs sand, Bolivar-Jackson road north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, . Tenn _____________ ~ __________________ ~ ____________________ ~-----------------------------------

5, 7. Leaflets. 

6, 8. Same, enlarged to show the. detailed venation. 

9-12. SchejJlem formosa Berry, n. sp. ~howing the variations in the leaflets of this species. Holly Springs sand, west of 

Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tel1lL ______________________________________________________________ _ 

Cl37G7-30--14 169 

Page 

98 

74 

123 
PLATE 31 

Page 

1. Zygophyllum? eocenic1l1n Berry, n. sp. Leaflet. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn __ .:. __ .. _ _ _ _ 94 

2. Combret1l1n wilcoxense Berry. Leaf showing the characteristic stout petiole of this species. Holly Springs sand, west 

of Bolivar, Hardeman County, TelllL__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ ____ _ _ 119 

3. Fragment of clay from the Holly Springs sand from locality west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn., showing the 

abundance of the leaves of Banksia tenuifolia Berry_________________________________________________ 66 

170 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

1 

2 3 

I!'OSSIL PLANTS OF THE \VILCOX CROUP 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE:)! 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 32 

6 

4 

1 

2 7 

5 

3 

9 

10 

8 

• 

11 12 13 

FOSSIL PLA 'TS OF THE WILCOX GRO P 
PLATE 32 

l-a. S01)horct '/Jl,u'crO'nata BeITY. Showing the limits of variation of the leaflets, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, TeI1lL_ 

4:,5. Cassict bolivarensis BeITY, n. sp. Leaflets from west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tel1IL ______________________ _ 

6. LeglL'lninos'ites 1)Onga1l~ioides Beny, n. sp. Pod from west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn ___________________ _ 

7. A1im,osites variabilis Berry. ' Showing the terminal part of a compound leaf from Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn_ 

8. Zamia tennesseea'na Beny, n'. sp. A detached pinnule of a Wilcox species of cycad from west of Bolivar, Hardeman 

County, Tenn ____________________________________ ~ _______________________________ ~ __ ~ _________ _ 

9. CCU'1)Olithus a:ilctnthioicies Berry, n. sp. Winged fruit possibly related to the Ailanth'us from west of Bolivar, Harc,leman County, Tcnn_~ _______________________________________________________________________________ _ 

10. Pithecolobium eocenicmn BeITY. Leafiet from Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn _________________________ .", ___ _ 

11. Ca'ltavalia ac'Uminata Berry. Leafiet from bed near the top of the' Holly Springs sand at Smiths Church, northwest of Pattcrsonville, Fayette County, Tenn _____ :- _______________________________________________ _ 

12. Cwnavalia eocenica Bcrry.' Leafiet shovl'ing the inflated petiolulc. La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn ______ .", ______ _ 

13. ]i"icus myrt1"jolia a1n1)la Berj·y, n. var. Showing the characteristic venation of this variety. Smiths Church, northwest of Pattersonville, Fayettc County, TC1111 ____________________ :... ________________________________ _ 

All thc specimcns figured on this platc are from the Holly Springs sand. 

171 

Page 

86 

81 

88 

73 

51 

135 

75 

86 

86 

65 
· PLATE 33 

Page 

1-4:. Dodonaea parvula Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn__________________ 100 

1, 3. Small fruits of this species. 

2, 4:. Same, enlarged,. showing details of venation and peduncle. 

,5, 6. Carpolithus banisteroides Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tel1lL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 134 

5. Photograph of the type, supposed to represent some member of the family Malpighiaceae. 

6. Same, enlarged to show details and venation of the wing. 

7,8. Ceratophyllum incertum Berry, n. sp. Grenada formation, northwest of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn________ 71 

7. Photograph of the type. 

8. Same, enlarged. In this drawing the spines should have been shown as variable in length and the apical one 

should ·be larger than the others. 

9. Carpo.lithus delicatulus Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tel1lL_____________ 134 

10. Carpolithus aggregatus Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn.: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 134 

11. Cypris wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. Carapace of an ostracode. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, 

Tenn ________________ ~---------------------------------________________________________________ 144 

12-14:. Berchemia eocenica Berry, n. sp. Showing the limits of varia'tion of the leaves of this species. Holly Springs sand, 

·Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ ___ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ 104 

15. Citrophyllum bifoliatum Berry, ·n. sp. Grenada formation, about 1 mile north of Somerville, north of Loosahatchie 

River, Fayette County, Tenn:.. ______________________________ - - _ - - - _ - _ - __ ---- _ - ______ - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ __ _ 91 

16. Sapindus fructiferus Berry, n. sp .. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn ____________ ~_______ 102 

17. Perseafructifera Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn_______________________ 115 

18,19. Ficus timnesseensis Berry, n. sp. Showing limits of variation of the leaves of this fig of the Grenada formation___ 63 

18. Nortll'\vest of Somerville, Fayette County, Tenn. 

19. About 1 mile nor.th of Somerville, nort.h 'of Loosahat"chie River, Fayette County, Tenn. 

172 
U. S. GEOLOG I CAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 33 

3 5 

7 

2 

4 6 8 

9 

oJr$ -v{ 0," 

10 11 

15 

13 

12 

16 

17 

18 19 

FOSSI L PLANTS OF T H E WILCOX GROUP 
U . S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 34 

1 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF TilE WILCOX GnOUp 
PLATE 34 

Page 

1-5. IJico1"i(t c1'escen/,ia Knowlton. Grenada formation, about 1 mile north of Somerville, north of .Loosahatchie River, 

Fayette Cou nty, Tel111- _______________________________________ -: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 59 

1. A united terminal and lateralleafiet. 

2. A terminal and two latern,} leaflets. 

:I. A single terminal leaflet. 

4. A tenninal and two latcrallcaflets. 

5. A vcry In.rgc lateral lcaflct. 

173 
PLATE 35 

Page 

1-5. Cissites asymmetricus Berry, n. sp. Grenada formation, 2.9 miles southwest of Somerville, near Moses Hall, Fayette County, Tenn __________________________________________ ~_______________________________________ 103 

1. Parts of three small leaflets. 

2-4:. Larger leaflets and characteristic venation. 

5. Restoration of a large leaflet of this species. 

6. Cyperacites minutus Berry, n. sp. Fruit of a sedge from lignite seam in Holly Springs sand on Taylor farm, Chester 

County, Tenn__________________________________________________________________________________ 53 

7. Cyperacites wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. A more typical fruit of a second species of sedge from same horizon and locality as the preceding _________________________ ~ ______________________________________________ ~_______ 53 

174 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

5 

, X2 

6 

7 

FOf;SIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 

PROFESSIO~ AL PAPER 156 PLATE 35 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 36 

u. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

FO~SJL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GIlOUP 
PLATE 36 

Page 

1,2. 'Taxites (?) sp., Berry. Near the top of the Holly Springs sand, Holcomb property, 2 miles south of Paris, Henry 

County, Tenn__________________________________________________________________________________ 52 

1. A leafy twig of this coniferous tree. 

2. A leaf enlarged to show the decurrent base and the two stomatiferous bands of the under surface. 

3. MYl'ciCt vera Berry. An unusually large leaf of this species showing the· characteristic venation. Holly Springs sand, 

Thompson & Barksdn,le prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, TC!11L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 118 

4,5. Cam)(tl'is eocen'icct a'lnpla Berry, n. val'. Showing variation in form. Holly Springs sand _____________________ ~____ 71 

4:. Jim Tomphson farm, 3X miles northeast of Jackson, Madison County, Tenn. 

5. Will Brooks.fn,I'm, 2.1 miles northeast of Mercer, Madison County, Tenn. 

o. Dtospyl'OS 1nadison(msis Berry, n. sp. Showing the cOl~crescent calyx of a persimmon fruit from bed near the top of 

the Holly Springs sand, one-fourth mile south of Mandy, Madison County,' Tenn_ ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 126 

7. S(1)ind'l/.s jonnOSltS Berry. An unusual specimen showing the distal part of a leaf with nine leaflets preserved, illustrating the even-pinnate habit. Holly Springs sand, one-fourth mile south of Mandy, Madison County, 

Tenn_________________________________________________________________________________________ 101 

8. BO'lnbacitcs .eocenic'l/.s Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Bell City 'Pottery pit, Calloway County, Tel1lL____________ 106 

175 

Q 
• 

PLATE 37 . Page 

1. Apocynophyllllm craSSllm Berry, n. sp. A nearly complete leaf, showing the characteristically enlarged mid vein and 

venation. West of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn______________________________ ________________ 130 

2. 111 agnolia leei angusta Berry, n. val'. A nearly complete leaf of this narrow elongate variety, showing characteristic 

venation. Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 milesvSouth of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn__________ 70 

All from the Holly Springs sand. 

176 
u. S. GJoJOJ"OOICA]~ SUnVl~Y 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 37 

1 2 

FOSSlL PLANTS OF THE WlLCOX GROUP 
PROFESSIONAL PAl'ER 156 PLATE 38 

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

7 

6 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 38 

Page 

1. Dalbergia atten'l.lata Berry, 11. sp. The slender, single-seeded pod of this species from bed near the top of the Holly 

Springs sand, Grove pit, Henry County, Tenn_____________________________________________________ 85 

2. :Magnolia ang'l.lst1Jolia Newberry. A characteristic leaf. Atkins pit, Henry Count)~, Te111L_______________________ .70 

~. 'Pernstroemites CraSS'l.lS Berry, ll. sp. An abnormal leaf of this species from locality west of Bolivar, Hardeman Cot~nty, 

Tenn. Compare with the normal leaves shown in Plat<;} 28__________________________________________ 110 

4:,5. Fic'/.(,s myrtifolia ovata Berry, 11. var ________________________________ .:. _______________________ .,.________________ 66 

4:. One-fourth mile south of Mandy, Madison County, Tenn. 

. 5. Jim Tomphson farm, 3}~ miles northeast of Jackson, Madison County, Tenn. 

6-8. }'1 imosites 'Wilcoxensis Berry, 11. SIL ______________________________ ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . 74 

6, 8. Pods from Bolivar-Jackson r.oad north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. ' 

7. Mill Creek, 2~ miles northwest of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

All from the Holly Springs sand. 

63757--80----15 177 
PLATE 39 

Page 

1-3. Mimusops praenuntia Berry, n. sp. Showing the variations in form and venation of this Wilcox species of dilly_____ 128 

1 •. Bradley pit, Henry County, Tenn. . 

2. Will Brooks farm, 2.1 miles northeast of Mercer, Madison County, Tenn. 

4. Cassiajayettensis Berry. A leaflet from the Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn___________________________________ 79 

5. Caesalpinites mississippiensis Berry. A leaflet from the Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn_________________________ 79 

6. Leguminosites astragalijormi~ Berry, n. sp. Inflated pod of this species from 1 mile west of Milan, Gibson County, Tenn ___________________ ~ ___________________ ~ ___ ~ __________________________________ ~__________ 87 

7. Pithecolobium? tennesseense Berry? A leaflet from the Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, 

Carroll County, Tenn ________________________ ~ __________________________ ~----------------------- 75 

8,9. Nyssa wilcoxian~ Berry. Stones of this species from the Bell City.Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky______________ 126 

10. Carapa eolignitica Berry. A medium-sized leaf from La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 95 

11. Ficus mississippiensis cordata Berry, n. var. A mutant from Huckleberry Schoolhouse, 27~ miles south of McLemores- . ville, Carroll County, Tenn ________________________ ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ 65 

All from the Holly Springs sand. 

178 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

1 

10 11 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 39 

4 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 40 

6 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF T H E WILCOX CROUP 
PLATE 40 

Page 

1. Caesal1)inia wilcoxiana Berry. A unique specimen showing an even-pinnate leaf or a branch of a large decompound leaf. 

Holly Springs sand, 2% miles north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn______________________________ 78 

2. Grcwiopsis wadii Berry. Showing the distinctive features of venation and marginal undulations. Holly Springs sand, 

Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn____________________ 105 

3,4:. A.1)Qcynophyllu1n mississippiense Berry. Holly Springs sand___________________________________________________ 129 

3. Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. [' 

4:. A more eUipticalleaf showing the characteristic decurrent base and stout petiole. Atkins pit,Henry County, 

Tenn. 

0,6. N ectandr(£ wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp __________________________________________ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 116 

o. A small narrow leaf. 

O. A larger lanceolnte form. Both from the Grenada formation. Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn. 

179 
PLATE 41 

Page 

1,2. Cedrela mississippiensis minor Berry, n. val'. Characteristic leaflets from the Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

County, Tenn____________________________________________________________________ ______________ 95 

3. Cedreia mississippiensis major Berry, n. val'. A lateral leaflet from the Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn ___________________________________________________________________________ ,'_____ 95 

4:. Ptelea eocenica Berry, n. sp. Winged fruit from the Holly Springs sand; in Fayette County, Tenn., 1 mile southwest 

of Grand J unc~on, Hardeman County _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 92 

5. Hym,enaea wilcoxiana E'erry, n. sp. Characteristic bifoliate leaf from the Holly Springs sand, Bolivar-Jackson road 

north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn _____ ~_____________________________________________ 84 

6. Apocynophyllum parvulum Berry; n. sp. ' Holly Springs sand, 2>~ miles north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tel1lL__ 129 

7., Cassia robertsi Berry; n. sp. Leaflet from the Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry C<:nmt);, Tenn_~_~_____ 80 

D. Cassia nictitanioides Berry, n. sp. Pod from the Holly Springs sand, 2>~ miles north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn _____ ~ ______________________________________ ~ ____ ~ ____________ ~ ______ ~ _______________ ~___ 'SI 

9. Leguminosites hoffmansegg1'afonnis Berry, n. sp. Pod from the Holly' Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardeman 

1 County, Tenn ________________________________ ~ ____ ~ __________ ~_--------~----~--------- -------~ 87 

10. Scheiflera? elliptica Berry, n. sp. Leaflet from the Holly Spriilgs sand, Grable pit, Henry County, TeIUL __ '______ 124 

11 •. Parkinsonia eocenica Berry" n. sp. Pod from the Holly Spririgs' sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Teim·_: _ _ _ _ 77 

12. Cladrastis eocenica Berry, n. sp. Pod from the Holly Springs sand, 2>~ miles north of Shandy, Hardeman County, Tenn - ________________________________________________________________ , _______ ~ _____________ ~ _ _ 84 

13. Cassia glenni Berry. Leaflet from near the top of the Holly Springs sand, Atkins pit; Henry County, TemL _ _ _ _ 82 

14:-18. Anona robertsi Berry, n. sp~ ____________ ~ __ ~ __ · ___ ~ ___ ._~ ________ · __ ~ __________ ... _______ ~ ____ ~_. ____ ~ ___ .______ 70 

14:. Holcomb property, 2 miles south of Paris, Henry County, Tenn. 

15. 1 mile west of Milan, Madison County, Tenn. 

16. Jim Tomphson farm, Madison County, Tenn. 

17. Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn. 

18. Bell City Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky. 

14:, 15, 16, 18 from the Holly Springs sand; 17 from the Grenada formation. 

19. Reynosia praenuntia Berry. Holly springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn_______________________________ 104 

20. Leguminosites collinsi Berry, n. sp. Pod supposed to represent the genus Cercis. Grenada formation, Cottage 

Grove, Henry County, Telin ______________________ -_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ ___ _ ______ 89 

180 

'. 
• 

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSION AL PAPER 156 PLATE 41 

1 

3 

4 

5 6 

2 

8 

7 

13 

9 12 

10 

o 15 

14 

16 17 18 

19 

20 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF T HE WILCOX GROUP 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 42 

OSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
,1, 2. Apocyn01Jhylht?n 1Jreplumiera Berry, n. sp. Fragmentary specimens of this characteristic species. Holly Springs sand_ 

t. West of Illinois Central Railroad, 27~ miles north of Shandy,' Hardeman County, Tenn. 

2. West of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

3. lluta1Jhyllmn tr1'joliat~tm Berry, n. sp. Nearly'complete. trifoliate leaf. Grenada formation, about 1 mile north of 

, Somerville; north of Loosahatchie River, Fayette County, Tenn ______ -: ___ . __________________________ :._ 

4:. Ficus pand~tr1'jolia Berry, n. sp. An unusually large leaf of this speci~s. ' ~olly .Springs sand, Bolivar-Jackson ,road 

north of Clover Creek, Hardeman County, TemL __________ :- __ :-:-:-_:- _____________________________ · __ 

5, O. Antholithes ternstroemioicies Berry, n. sp. Later:;tl and distal views of flowers believed to belong to the family Ternstl'oemiaceae. Near top of Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. _______________ :. _______ _ 

7. Neg~tndo knowltoni Ben;y, n. sp. An unusually lobate leaflet of this sp.ecies. .Grenada formation, about 1 mile north 

of Somerville, north of Loosahatchie River, Fayette County, Tenn _________________________________ _ 

'181"" 

• 

Page 

130 

92 

64 

140 

98 
PLATE 43 

1, 2. Cupanites amplus Berry, n. sp. In'complete leaflets of this large species ___________ ' ___________________________ :.:,_ 

1. Thompson & Barksdale prospect 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn. 

2. Huckleberry Schoolhouse, 2}~ miles south of McLemoresville, Carroll County, Tenn. 

3. Bignonicapsulajormosa Berry, n. sp. Large capsule showing some of the contained large, flat, winged seeds ______ -' __ 

4:-6. Legu,minosites phyllocarpoides Berry, n. sp. Large characteristic pods showing contained seeds, believed to be related 

to the genus PhyllocarpuL _____ ---------- - - - - - ------- - - - ----- -------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -'7-- ___ _ 

4:,6. Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

5. Jim Tomphson farm, Madison County, Tenn. 

All from: the Holly Springs sand. 

182 

• 

, • .' • ~ ... ,t 

. Page 

99 

132 

90 
U. S: GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 43 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 

PROPERTY OF U. S. BUREAU OF MINES 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIO AL PAPER 156 -PLATE 44 

, 

2 X 2 

3 

4 

5 7 

6 

18 

8 9 

10 

1)? 

~ 11 

12 X6 21 

22 

20 

13 

X 3 

14 

17 23 

15 16 

24 

FOSSIL PLA TS OF T HE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 44 

Page 

1,2. P'ithecolobi1tm eocen'iC1tm anomal1tm Berry, n. val'. Holly Springs sand_______________________________________ 75 

1.. Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

2. Thompson & Barksdn,le prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn. 

a. Le(Jmninosites emar(Jinat1tS Beny, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Will Brooks farm, 2.1 miles northwest of Mercer, Madi- son County, Tenn. ______________________________________________________ -: ______________________ . 89 

!l-7. CanJOlithus ?'otmtclalat1ts Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand__________________________________________________ 136 

4:. West of Bolivt'\,r, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

5. Bradley Pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

6. Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

7. Enlargement of 5. 

8-10. A.nthoZ'ithes il-ic?jormis Beny, 110 sp. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry County, TelllL_________________ 141 

8, 9. Two aspects of these small flowers. 

10. A flower enln.rged. 

11, 12. A.nthol'itli.es 1J?'un?jormis Berry, n. sp.____________________________________________________________________ 141 

11. Flower' from the Holly Springs sand, Bradley pit, Henry C~)Unty, Tenn. . 

12. l~nln,rgement. 

13, 14:. Potamo(Jelon (Jlflcki Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, one-fourth mile south of Mandy, Madison County, Te11n_ _ _ 54 

14:. Enlargement, showing venation. . 

15, 16 •. Si'lnCt?'ub'ites eocenicus Berry, n. gen. and n. sp. Fruit from Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn_ _ 94 

17. A complete and large leaflet of SchejJlerajormosa Berry, n. sp., from the Holly Springs sand, west of Bolivar, Hardenlan County, Tenn_____________________________________________________________________________ 123 

18. An unusually broad leM of rpernst?'oemites lanceolatus Berry from bed near the top of the Holly Springs sand, Atkins 

pit, Henry County, Teim _________________________________ :______________________________________ no 

19. An anoll'.\fl,lous leaf of A.1JOcyno1Jhyllum SalJindijoli,tt1n Hollick from the Holly Springs sand, Atkins pit, Henry Comity, Tcnn ____________________ J_____________________________________________________________________ 129 

20. ]3mnelict 1)Seudolycioicles Berry, n. sp. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn________________ 128 

21,22. Caesal1Jinites wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand__________________________________________________ 79 

21. Small leaflet from the Bradley pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

22. Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

23. Antholithes amentijents. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn ___________________ ._________ 142 

24:. Sophora 1n1tc?'onata Berry. An unusually pointed leaflet from the Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry County, 

Tenn_________________________________________________________________________________________ 86 

183 
PLATE 45 

Page 

1-3. Ouratea eocenica Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand _________________________ .:._______________________________ 112 

1. A complete leaf from the Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn . 

. 2. Detail of 1. to s.how the venation~ enlarged: . 

3. A leaf with proliferated marginal teeth from the Foundry Church pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

4,5. Carpolithus bolivarensis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand ______________ ·_____________________________________ 136 

4. Specimen from Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

5. Specimen from locality west of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. 

6, 7. Carpolithus somervillensis'Berry, n. sp. Fruits from the Grenada formation, about 1 mile north of Somerville, north 

of Loosahatchie River, Fayette COl,lnty, Tenn ______________ .:. _______________________________ :.._____ _ _ 137 

8. Rubiacites wilcoxensis Berry, ~. sp. Holly Springs sand. Photograph of the type enlarged. 100 yards east of Bell 

City Pottery pit, Calloway County; Ky ___________________________ ~ _._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 133 

9-11. Rubiacites 'sphericus Berry, n. sp. 'HollySprings sand______________________________________ ________________ 133 

9. ]~radley pit, HeriryCounty, Tenn. . 

10. Bell City Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky. 

11., Puryear, Henry .County, Tenn. 

12. Calycites rhizophoroides Berry, n. sp. Calyx of a mangrovelike form from Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry 

. County, Tenri ______________ ~--~---------.:.-----~----------------________________________________ 142 

13; 14.' Phyllites grenadensis -BerrYin. ·sp .. Grenada formation,' Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 143 

15. Antholithes grablensis·Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn_______________________ 142 

16.' Leguminosites copaif<?ranus' Berry, n: sp. Pod possibly representing ·the genus Copaifera. Holly Springs sand, La 

Grange, Fayette County, Tenn ___________ ~_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ ___ _ _ _ _ ____ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _______ 91 

17. Banara eocenica Berry, n. sp. A characteristic complete leaf from bed near the top of the Holly Springs sand, Puryear 

Henry County, Tenn___________________________________________________________________________ 110 

184 
U. S G ., EOLOGICAL SU RVEY 

1 

2 

U) 

4 5 

9 

13 

14 

PROFESSIONAL 

mOD 10 \,J. 

11 

15 

t;l 

lUI 

6 

FOSSIL PLAN TS OF 3 THE WIL COX GROUP 

PAPER 156 , PLATE 45 

7 

12 

16 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 46 

5 6 

10 12 

}'OSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 46 

1. l?eynosia 1Jmenuntia longepetiolata. Berry, n. var. Heilly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn _____ :.. _____ _ 

2. Pisonia pmejaclcsoniana Berry, n. sp. Photograph of a leaf washed out of the clay and preserved in balsam. Holly 

3, 4:. 

5, 6. 

I 

7, 8. 

9, 10. 

11, 12. 

Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn ____________________________________________________ _ 

N ectanclra 1JarV1tla Berry, n. sp. Showing the limits of variation of this small-leafed new species~ Grenada formation, 

Cottage Grove, Henry County, TelllL ____________ ~ ___________ ~ __________________________________ _ 

C01JQ/I:jera? wilcoxiana Berry, n. sp. Extremes of variation of the leaflets of this species. Holly Springs sand, Grable 

pit, Henry County, TemL ______________________________________________________________________ _ 

Cassia jayettensis Berry. Holly Springs sand ______________________________________________________ ~ ______ _ 

7. Specimen from Mill Creek, Hardeman .County, Tenn., showing a large terminal and a small lateral leaflet 

attached to the stipe. 

8. Specimen from Puryear, Henry County, Tenn., showing a portion of the stipe with several attached leaflets. 

Sterc1tlia lcnowltoni Berry, n. sp _________________________________________________________________________ _ 

9. Bell City Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky. 

10. Will Brooks farm, 2.1 miles northeast of Mercer, Madison County, .Tenn. 

P araengelharcltia eocenica Berry _____________________ . ____________________________________________________ _ 

11. A fine specimen from bed near the top of the Holly Springs sand at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn., showing 

the details of venation, the llut having become detached before fossilization. 

12. A distorted specimen from the Grenada formation at Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn., showing an 

unusually large nut. 

185 

Page 

105 

68 

116 

7~ 

79 

108 

60 
PLATE 47 

Page 

1. Anemia eocenica Berry. A fine specimen of part of a large frond. Puryear, Henry County, Tenn____________________ 51 

2. Bombacites jormosus Berry. Specimen showing variations in marginal character. Puryear, Henry County, Tenn_ _ _ ___ 106 

3. Diospyros wilcoxiana Berry. An unusually large and complete leaf of this Wilcox species of persimmon, showing all of its 

features admirably. Puryear, Henry County, Tenn____ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 128 

All from the Holly Springs sand. 

186 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 47 

1 

2 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 

, 
u. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 48 

(J) 

1 2 

3 4 

,V 

5 

10 15 Q 

7 

8 

11 16 

17 

12 

13 14 19 18 

23 x 2 

X 2 

Q 

22 

24 31 x 2 

32 

25 

1 30 

27 X 2 28 X 2 29 

X 2 

33 34 36 38 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 

I 
PLATE 48 

Page 

1,2. Legwminosites sp. Berry. Leaflets from the Holly $prings sand at Puryear, Henry County, Tenn_______________ 91 

3. Car1Jolithus plmnosns Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Puryear,' Henry County, Tenn ______ .______ ____________ 139 

4:. C(Llycites 1ntryem'ensis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn________________________ 142 

5. Ji'ic1l.s jr'Uct'tLs rostrat(t Berry, n. sp. Fossil fig from Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, TemL___________ 66 

6. Ca1'1wlith'us b'ttrSemj01'mis Berry, n. sp. Fruit thought to represent the genus B'l.lrsera. Holly Springs sand, Puryear Henry County, TelllL ___________________________________________ ~_ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _____ ___ __ __ 137 

7. Leg'l.tminosites 1Ja1Uhtrijo7'1nis Berry, n. sp. Leaflet from the Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn_ _ _ 90 

8. Ji'ic'Usjntct'tts 1Jed'icellata Berry, n. sp. Long-peduncled fossil fig from the Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn _______________________________________ ~_________________________________________________ 66 

. n-l4:. Sterc1(,l'ioca1'1nts S1Jheric'tts Berry,' n. sp __________ . ______________________________ :.. _________________________ ._ _ _ 109 

9. A small fOl;m from the Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

10. A broken specimen from same locn,lity showing the compartments of the capsule. 

11. Specimen from the Grenada formation at Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn. 

12. Outline of a specimen from the_Holly Springs sand, Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

13, 14:. Two views of fi specimen showing the' stigmatic surface and better.. preservation. Holly Springs sand, Atkins 

pit, Hemy County, Tenn. 

15-17. Petals of some polypetalous flower. Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, TemL_______________________ 143 

18. Dryo1Jhyll1tmj'uvenalc Berry,.n. sp. Probably a· juvenile leaf. Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, TelllL _ _ 62 

19, 20. Cm'1Jolith'tlS hiraeajormis Berry, n. sp. Grenada formation about 1 mile north of Somerville, north of Loosahatchie 

River, Fayette County, TemL ________________________________________________________ ~ ___ __ _ _ _ _ _ 138 

21-23. Solanite3 1J1lSill'tl.s Berry, n. sp. Oblique and distal views of flower or calyx. Holly Springs sand, Grable Pit, Henry. County, TelllL ________________ . _____________________________________________________ .. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 132 

24:, 25. Bracts. Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn ________________________________________________ , 143 

26. CaT1Jolitlms bica1JS1tlis Berry, n. sp~ Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn_____________________ 139 

27,28. Cm'polith1tS inequilateralis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Te111L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 140 

29, 30. Cm'politlms callowayensis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Bell City Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 140 

31. C(trpolitlms jagamjo7'1nis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Will Brooks farm, 2.9 miles northwest of Mercer, Ml1dison County, TelllL __________ ~ __ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _____ _ _ _ _ _ ___ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 137 

32. Leg'twtinosites contortus Berry, n. sp. Small pod from'the Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn_ 90 

33. Cassia jayettensis Berry. A lel1flet showing an insect-cut margin. Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, 

Tenn__________________________________________________________________________________________ 79 

34:. Dalbergia 'lvilcoxiana Berry. Showing the stipe of the complete leaf. Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn ______________________ ~__________________________________________________________________ 85 

35. Cheilanthes eocemca Berry,·n. sp .. Holly Springs sand, Puryear, Henry County, Tenn__________________________ 50 

36-38. Myrica puryearensis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand_____________________________________________________ 62 

36,3S. Thompson & Barksdale prospect, 2 miles south of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tenn. 

37. Puryear, Henry County, Tenn .. 

187 
PLATE 49 

Page 

1-5. M eniphylloides termesseensis Berry, n. sp. Various sized fronds or pinnae. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, 

Henry County, Tenn___________________________________________________________________________ 49 

6-8. Calycites milanensis Berry, n. sp. Calices from bed near the top of the Holly Springs sand, 1 mile west of Milan, 

Gibson County, Tenn___________________________________________________________________________ 142 

9. Laurus collinsi Berry,n. sp. A lauraceous fruit from the Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, TelllL 117 

10. Carpolithus leitneriaformis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 139 

11-15. Potamogeton'l fructus Berry, n. sp. Lignite seam in Holly Springs sand on Taylor farm, Chester County, TelUL _ 54 

16. Carpolithus kentuckyensis Berry, n. sp. . Holly Springs sand, Bell City Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky ______ ..: _ _ 140 

17. Carpolithus biseminatus Berry, ri. sp. Holly Springs sand, Bradley pit, Henry County, Tenn __________________ ·__ . 139 

18. Leguminosites monospermoides Berry, n. sp. Holly.Springs sand, Mill Creek, Hardeman County, Tenn_________ 90 

19. Rubiacites'l pellicieraformis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, big cut at Pine Top, Hardeman County, Tel1lL ___ . 134 

20. Carpolithus juncaformis Berry, n. sp. Holly Springs sand, La Grange, Fayette County, Tenn ______ · ____ ..:________ 138 

21-27. Terminalia vera Berry. Characteristic winged fruits from bed near the to'p of the Holly Springs sand ____________ . 119 

21. Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

22-24:. Puryear, Henry County, Tenn. 

25. 100 yards east of Bell City Pottery pit, Calloway County, Ky. 

26. Upper part of a fruit from Puryear. . 

27. Lower part of a fruit from locality 100 yards east of ,Bell City Pottery pit. 

18S 

., ...... ,,,.,. , .1 .f' J! ..... '.#. "1' •• r ,.',J ~\,t ~ . .,.- .. 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

6 

9 10 

16 

17 

I 

22 23 

2 

7 

6 x 2 

11 

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 49 

3 

4 

5 

0" 8 

12 

20 X 2 

26 X 3 

19 

21 

24 25 27 

FOSSIL PLA TS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 

PROPERTY OF U. S. BUREAU OF MINES 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 156 PLATE 50 

1 

2 

3 

4 

<jp 

7 

5 

9 

. - -

" ~ - ~-

\f~ . .. ,. ~:I / 

12 13 

FOSSIL PLANTS OF THE WILCOX GROUP 
PLATE 50 

Pnge 

1. SaZvin'ia 1J1'ea~I,1''iwlala Berry. A nearly complete plant, sho\ving the floating leaves, the plumose submerged leaves, 

n.lId the supposed sporocarps. Holly Springs sand, one-fourth mile south of Mandy, Madison County, Tel1lL 47 

2-4:. Glel.l'its'iaY mississilwiens'is (Berry) Berry. Indehiscent, few-seeded pods, formerly referred to the gen{ls Cassia____ .82 

2. Holly Springs sn.ncl, in Fayette County, Tenn., l}f miles west of Grand Junction, Hardeman County. 

:I. Grenada formation, Grenada, Grenada County, Miss. 

4:. ]:[01ly Sprillgs sand, Grable pit, Henry County, Tenn. 

5. Equ:isetmn sp. Berry. Specimen showing two nodes with sheaths, a.nd part of three internodes on an aerial stem. 

Holly Springs sand, one-fourth mile south of Mandy, Madison County, Tenn__________________________ 47· 

H, 7. AnUwZithes wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp. Grenada formation, Cottage Grove, Henry County, Te11ll_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 141 

G. Side view of a flower or calyx. 

7. Proximn.l view of the same. 

8-10. Pods of the existing Gledits1:a aquatica Marsh, showing the variations in form, acumen, and length of the pedicle, 

for cOlnparison with 2-4:. Collected at Wickliffe, Ky. 

·U-1:l. N'i1wcl-ites sp. Berry. Specimen collected by the late J. M. Safford. Locality and horizon unknown but probably 

from the Grenada formation of Fayette County, Tel11L_____________________________________________ 56 

1:l. Side view. 

12. Proximal view, showing hilum. 

l:J. An inked impression of a median transverse section. 

63757-30--17 189 

'II 

INDEX 

A Page Pnge Acncia bOIlSqIlOtl ________________________________________________________ "___ i8 Asplollium ooligniticllm ______ ~: ___ " _________________________ ; _________ 21,25,32,41 

iIlicllloidos (Clwnllilles) 'I'relcIISo_ _ _ _____ ________________ ________________ i4 haguoL ____________________ ~ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ 50 

tOI'l;IIOSI\ Willdonow _ _ _ ___ _____________ __________________________________ ii hllrloyense _________________________________________________________ 20,21,27,41 

wilcoxolIsis ______________________________ . __________________________ 20,22, 27,43 primoro Knowlton_ _ ____________________________________________________ 11 

A eorntos c .. otncon Bo .... y _ _ ___ _ __ __ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ ___ _ __ _ 16 Athrotaxis? eolignitica _________________________________________________ 20,22,27,41 

vot;ornna rroo .. ___ ____ _ __ _ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ 13 L Avicenuin ooconicn ____________________________________________________ 21,22,23, 4G 

wilcoxinlJn Bo .... y, n. sp __________________________________ 16,22,28,46,131, pI. 19 nitidaCormis __ , _____________________________________________ , __________ 22,26,46 

Acke .. mon fo .. mntion, flom or. ____________________________________________ ;__ 2L 

Aco .. opsis minor COllwOlltz ________________ ,~_________________________________ 5.5 13 Aco .. us colomus Linn()___________________ __________ __________________________ 5.5 

hoori Borr'Y, II. sp_ _ _ ________________ ___ _____ __________ ___ 20,22,27,41, .5.1. pI. S 

Ae .. ostichlllll sp __________________________________________________________ 20, 2fl, 41 

Acunn lllil1oiollsis (1Hichnux) Kuntze________________________________________ 81 

, Alllygdnllls grncllis LOSqllO .. OIlX______________________________________________ i3 porogor Ungo .. _________ ~_ _____ _ __ ___ _ _ _ _ __ _ __________ ____________ ________ 72 

platycorpa (Docnisllo) _________ __ ____________________________________ __ __ i3 

p .. isca 'V'ntolot_ _ _ _ _________________ _________ ___________________________ _ i2 

wilcoxinna Be .. ry, 11. sp _______________________________ 5,6.23,25,43, i2-iJ, pI. 12 

A IIncorditos eoceniclls Bo .. ry, II. sp ______________________________ 22,25,44,96, pI. 14 

fnlcotus ____________________________ ~ _________________________________ 22,27,44 

gl'evillonfolia Berry ________________________________________________ 10. 23, 25, 44 

inoqllilntornlis Bo .... y, II. sp _______________________ 6,21,23,25,27,44,96-97, pI. 29 mnrshnllcnsis _________________________________________________________ 22,27,44 

1Il0topifolia ]}orry _________________________________________________ 22,27,44,97 

lnino .. Bol'I'y _______________________________________________________ 6,23,27.44 

puryonrollsis ___ . _____________________________________________________ 22,25,44 

sorl'll tus ________________________________________________________ 20, 2L, 22, '27, 44 

Allomin oocollica Bel'l·y _______________________ ~ ___________ . ___ 22,25,32,41,51, pI. 47 

occidentolis Knowlton____ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ ___ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ __ __ ____ _ _ _ _ .~1 

A ngiospel'llls, origin of___________________________ ________________ ____________ II 

A n01l1\ nmphl ]Jerl'~' ___________________________________________________ 10,23,25,42 

eoligniticil BOITy _____________________________________________ 4.10.23,25,32,42 

.. obo .. tsi Be .. ry, II. sp ____________________________________ 5,23,27,42,70-71, pI. 41 

wilcoxilllll\ ____________________________________________________________ 23, 25,42 

A ntholithos oll1ontifo .. us Barry, n. sp ___________________________ 23,25,46,142, pI. 44 /II'und itos _____________________ . _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ __ __ ____ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ 46 

grnblonsis ]jeIT~', II. sp ________ . __________________________________ 46,142, pI. 45 

ilicifOl'lnis ]Jo .... y, n. sp _____________________________________ 23,2.1. 4ti. 141. pI. 44 

mn .. shnllollsis__ _ _____ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 46 

milllosnfol'lnis Bc .. ry, II. sp __________________________________ IIl. ___ 46,140, pI. 25 • 

p\'lIniforlllis Be .... y, u. sp _________________ ~ ________________________ 46,141, pI. 44 

Banorn eocouicn Berry, n. sp _______________________________ 22,28,45,110-111, pI. 45 

reticulata Grisobach____ ___ __ __ ____________ ____ _______ ___________________ 111 

vunderblltii Urbnu ______________________________________ " ___ ,__ __ ___ __ __ __ 111 

Bunistoria Cructllosa Borry __________________________________ " _____ 21,22,27,44,134 

psoudolnuriColin Berry ____ . ________________________________________ 19,23,25,44 

~:~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~:~ ~~~: ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ -:~~ ::' ;~: :: Ounksin puryearonsis Berry ___________ ' ___________________ " _____________ 10,22,25,42 

snlTordi (Lesquercllx) 130rry _________________________________ 19,23,25,42, 6G, 67 

tonuiColia Berry _______________________________________ 19,23,27,42,66-67,1)1. 31 

Borchomia eoconicn Berry, n. sp ________________________________ 23,28,44,104, pI. 33 

mllltinervis (Aloxandor Braun) Heer.___________________________________ 104 prisca Saporta_. _____________________________________ - _ - _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ ___ __ _ 104 

sClludens (Hill) 'l'rolcase _______________________________ -___ _ ___ __ __ ___ __ _ 104 

Bignonieapsula Cormcsa Berry, n. sp ____________________ 21,22,28 46,132-133, pl. 43 

Bombacites ooconicus Borry, n. sp ______________________________ 22,28,45,106, pI. 36 

formoSlls Berry _____________ : _______________________________ 22,26,45,106. pI. 47 

wilcoxianus Berry ________________________________________________ 22,26,45, lOG 

Bombnx glnucescons__ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ __ __ ____ _ __ _ __ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ 106 

Bracts _____________________________________ ~ ________________________ 143-144, pI. 48 

Bucttnoria oocouiea Borry, n. sp __________________________ 20,21,.22,28,45,107, pI. 1~ 

jacksoniann_________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ __ __ ___ __ __ ________ ___ _ _ 65 

Bumelia amoricana (Lesqllerellx) Berry ______________________ ~_ 23,26,46,128, pI. 19 

grenadensis ___________________________ " _____________________ 20,21, 23, 25, 46, 128 

hurleyensis ___________________________________________________________ 21,28, 4G 

Iycioides G.aertner __________________________________________ ._ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ 128 

prewilcoxiana ,Berry __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ ___ _ _ __ _ ____ 16 

pseudolyeioides Berry, n. sp ______________ ~ ______________ 21,22,28, 4G, 128, pl. 44 

pseudohorrida _____________ , ___________________________________ 21,22,28,46,128 

pseudotenax ________________________________________________ . _____ 21, 211, 46, 128 

wileoxiana Berry _______________________________________________ lG, 23, 28, 32, 46 

ternst .. oomioidos lIe .... y, n. sp _____________________________ 46,110,140-141, pI. 42 

wilcoxensis ]Jo .... y, n. sp ___________________________________ 23,25,141-142, pl..50 C 

A pocynophyllUlIl conllt .. ictum _______________________________________________ 26,46 Cadrlis fly larval eases _______________________________________________________ , 144 

crnssulll Be .... y, n. sP ______________________________ 16,20,21,22,28,46,130, pI. 37 Caenomyees snnulats ______ ~ ________________________________________________ 27,41 

gignlltoulll Ber .. y _______________________________________________________ 16, 130 cassiae ___________________________________________________________________ 27,41 

Iillifolinlll Knowltoll _________________________________________ 28,32,46,130-131 lauril1ea _________________________________________________________________ 27,41 

mississippienso Be .... y _____________________________ 5,6,7.19,23,26,46,129, pI. 40 Dlyrtae __________________________________________________________________ 27,41 

mississippionso ovntllm Bo .... y,lI. vllr _______________________ 28,46,129,p1.19 pestalozzites __________________________________________________________ 23,41, 27 

mlssissippionsis Be .. ry ___ __ _ _ _ _ ____ _ ___ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 12\1 sapotae _____________________________ ~ ____________________________________ 27,41 

porvulllm Herry, n. SP ______________________________ 21,22,23,46,129-130. pI. 4L Caesalpinia obliqua VogeL ________________ " ___ ~ _________ :_ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ ___ _ 78 

p .. eplullIiem Berry, n. sp _______________________________ 21,22,28,46,130, pI. 42 wilcoxiana Berry ___________________________________ ' _________ 27,43,78-79, pI. 40 

.. Iployonso Ber .. y _ _ _ _____ ___ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ 16 Caesalpinites bentonensis ___________________________________________________ 20,43 

snpindiColium Holliek __ . _________________________ 4,5,19,23,26,46,129, pIs. 19,44 mississippiensis Berry _: ___________________ . _________________ 22,27,43,79, pI. 39 

tabellorunl ___________________________________________________________ 22,26,46 pinsonensis ____________________________________________________ . _______ 22, 27,43 

wilcoxenso BeITy ______________________________________ 4.16,19,22,26.32,46,130 (Psrkil1souia?) aCllleatafolia Berry _______________________________________ 77 

Arneenoltes Criteli BeITy _______________________________________________ 20, 2G,41, 55 ' ,wilcoxeusis Berry, n. sp _____________________________________ 22,27,43,79, pI. 44 

po .. isiensis FriteL _ ___ __ ___ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ ___ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ .55 Calatoloides eoceniculll ___________________________________________________ 21,26,44 

A mlill neeri Chlla __________________________________________________________ 23,25, 2G Calycites davallaCormis ______________________________________________ ._ _ __ ___ _ 46 

dakotona __________________________________________________________ 28,30,32,46 milanensis Berry, n. sp __________________________________ ~ ________ 46,142, pI. 49 

jorgensoni Boor _____________________ . _____________________ 21,23,25,28,32,46,122 ostryaCormis _____________________________________________________________ 26,46 

1I0tntll ____________________________ . ___________________________ • ________ 2G, 32, 46 puryearensis Berry, D. sp _____________________________________ 4G, 13!), 142, pI. 48 

('I) semina Be .... y, n. sp __________________________ . _______ 21,28,46,124-125, pI. 8 rhizopho.oides Berry, u. sp ___________________________________ 46,142-143, pI. 45 

A .. istolochia wilcoxillllll ________________________________________________ 20,22,27,42 Calyptrnnthes eocel1iea ___________________________________________________ 22, 26,45 

Artocllrpoidos bnlli ]}0"1'j' ______________________________________________ 4,23,25,42 Cannvalia acuminata Berry ______________________________ 22,27,43,86, pIs. 12, 27, 32 

wlleoxollsis ___________________________________________________________ 22,25,42 eooenica Berry ________________________________________ 16,19,23,25,43,86, pI. 32 

A .. tOClll·PllS dubill_ _ _ _______ _________________________________________________ 42 Canna eoceniea Berry _________________________________________________ 10,23,25.41 

lossiglllnn _______________________________________________________ . ______ 26,32,42 Capparis eocenica Ber .. y ________________________ ~------------- 16,18,19,23,27,43,71 

pllngons (Losquo .. oux) Holliel, _________________________ 4,5,23,25,32,42,63,I:l.!J eoeenica ampla Berry, n. var. __________________________________ 27,43,71, pI. 36 sP ___ . _______________________________________________________ ' _________ 27,42, 6a preeocenica Berry _ _ ___ ____ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ lG 

Asirnillil 0000111011 J.,esquol'ollx__________________________ __ ____ ________________ 11 Carapa eoliguitica Berry ________________________________________ 22,27,44,95, pI. 39 

lelocnl'pn __________________________________________________________ 20,21,27,42 Carpolithes provincialis Saporta ____________________________________________ • 50 

191 
192 INDEX 

Page Page 

Carpolithm aggregatus Berry, n. sp _______________________________ . ___ 46,134, pI. 33 Cinnamomum affine Lesquereu:L __________________________ 11,16.26,32,45,114-115 

ailanthioides Berry, n. sp _________________________________________ 46,135, pI. 32 buchii Heer ___________________________________________________ 113,26,32,45,]]5 

alatus Berry, n. sp ______________________________________ . ________ 46,135, pI. 25 camphora Nees and Ebermaier._________________________________________ 115 

banisteroides Berry, n. sp ________________________________________ 46.134, pI. 33 newberryi Berry _______________________________________________________ 113,114 

bicapsulis Berry, n. sp ________________________________________ 46,139-140. pI. 48 oblongatum Berry __________________________________ " ______________ 19, 22, 213.45 

biseminatus Berry, n. sp ______________________________ . __________ 46. 139,pI. 49 obovatum ______________________________________________________ 20,21,22,28. 4fi 

bolivarensis Berry, n. sp ______________________________________ 46.136-137. pI. 45 ovoides Perkins ___________________________________ 3,22,28,32,45,114, ]313. pI. ]() 

burseraformis Berry. n. sp_c ______________________________________ 46.137, pI. 48 postnewberryL--- _______________________________________________________ 26,45 

callowayensis Berry, n. sp ________________________________________ 46,140, pI. 48 praespectabile Berry ___________________________________________________ 113.11.5 

chesterensis Berry, n. ·sp ________________________________________ ._ 46,1313, pI. 2.'5 sezannense vVateleL ____________________________________ ~ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ ]]5 

collinsi Berry, n. sp ___________ ~ ________________________________ 3,46,137. pI. 25 spectabile Heer ______ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ]] 5 

delicatulus Berry, n. sp __________________________________________ 47,134, pI. 33. vera Berry _ _ _ _______________________________ ___ ____ _____ __ __________ __ __ 1]8 

dictyolomoides Berry __________________________________________________ 47,138 Cissites asymmetricus Berry, n. sp ________________________ 23,28.44,103-104, pI. 35 

fagaraformis Berry, n. sp _________________________________________ 47,137, pI. 48 collinsi Berry, n. sp ____________________________________ 22,28,44,102-103, pI. ]7 

grenadensis ________________________________________ " __________________ 23, 25,47 Citharexylon eoligniticum ________________________________________________ 23,28, 4() 

gronovii Berry, n. sp _____________ ' __ .. _ .. _____________________ 3,47,135-1313, pI. 25 Citrophyllum bifoliolatum Berry, n. sp ________________ 20,21,22,27,43,91-92. pI. 33 

henryensis----- __________________ ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _____ __ __ _ __ 47 wilcoxianum ___________________________________________________ 20,2].22.27,43 

hiraeaformis Berry, n. sP _____________________________ 6,23,25.47,138-139, pI. 48 Cladrastis amurensis Bentham______________________________________________ 8.') 

hyoseritiformis- _ ______________ __________ ______ __ ________________________ 47 eocenica Berry, n. sp __________________________________ 2],22,27.43,84-85, pI. 41 

inequilateralis Berry, n. sp ___________________________ · ______ ~ _____ 47,140, pI. 48 Climates, Eocene, problem oL _______________________________ ~ ______________ 33-40 

juncaformis Berry, n. sp. _____________________________________ 47,138, pIs. 25,49 Clusiaphyllum eocenicum Berry, n. sp ______________________ 20,2],26,45,113, pI. ]8 

kentuckyensis Berry, n. sp _______________________________________ 47.140, pI. 49 Coccolobis eolignitica __________________________________________________ 20 22, 27,42 

leitneriaformis Berry, n. sp _______________________________________ 47,139. pI. 49 uviferafolia Berry ___________________________________________ 22,42,137-138, pI. 22 

longepedunculatus Berry, n. sp ___________________________________ 47,136, pI. 25 Cole pit, near Puryear, Tenn., heavily bedded plastic clay at. _______________ pI. 4 

malpighiaformis Berry, n. SP _________________________________ 47. 134-135,'pI. 25 section in____ ___ __ _ __ ___ _ __ __ ___ _ __ ___ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ ___ _ 8 

pilocarpoides Berry _________________________________________________ 13,23,25,47 Combretanthites eocenica ________________________________________________ 22, 28, 41i 

plumosus Berry, n. sp ______________________________ ~ _________ 47,139,142, pI. 48 Combretum leve Berry, n. sp ______________________________ 23.28,45,118-119, pI. 29 

poaformis Berry, n. sp _______________________________ " ____________ '47, 138, pI. 25 obovale Berry _______________ : __________ ' __________________________ 23,213,45, 118 

prangosoides Berry _____________________________________________________ 47,119 ovale ___________________________________________________________ 21,23,213,32,45 

proteoides _____________________________________________ .. _________________ 47,67 wilcoxense Berry ___________________________________________ 23,213,45,119, pI. 31 

puryearensis Berry, n. sp _____________ ~ ______________________ 13,23,47.137. pI. 25 Concillas Creek, Webb County, Tex., section near mouth oL _______________ ]0-11 

rotundalatus Berry, n. sp _________________________________________ 47,136, pI. 44 unconformity within Wilcox near mouth oL____________________________ pI. 3 

sapindoides Berry, n. sp __________________________________________ 47,137, pI. 25 Conocarpus eoligniticus __________________________________________________ 22, 213,45 

shandyensis Berry, n. sp ________________________________________ c 47.135, pI. 25 Copaifera langsdorfii Desfontaines__ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ ___ _ _ _ ___ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ 78 

silertonensis Berry, n. sp _______________________________________ 3,47,136, pI. 25 (?) wilcoxiana Berry, n. sp _______________________________ 20,22,27,43,78. pI. 413 

somervillensis Berry, n. sp _______________________________ 6,23,25,47,137, pI. 45 Cordia eocenica ___________________________ ~ ______________________________ 22, 28,413 

sophorites ____________________________________________________________ 23, 25,47 10wiL _______________________ ' ____________________ ~ ____________________ 2]. 26,46 

taylorensis Berry, n. sp _________________________________________ 3,47,136, pI. 25 Crotonophyllum appeI?-diCulatum __________________ -' _____________________ 21.27,44 

tennesseensis_ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ 47 eocenicum ____________________________________________________________ 21, 27, 44 

Cassia bentonensis Berry, n. sP ___________________________________________ 26,43,74 Cryptocarya eolignitica Hollick ______________________________________ 20,26,4.5,114 

bifoliata_ _ _ _ __ _ __ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 75 

bolivarensis Berry, n. sp ________________________________ ·_ 20,22,27,43,81, pI. 32 

wilcoxiana Berry, n. sp _________________________________ 23.28,45,113-114, pI. 18 

Cupanites amplus Berry, n. sp _________________________________ 28,44.99-100, pI. 43 

emarginata ___________________________________________________________ 22, .27,43 eoligniticus ___________________________________________________________ 22, 25. 44 

eolignitica ____________________________________________________________ 22, 2.5, 43 formosus Berry, n. sp _______________________________ 6,23,28.44,98-99, ].00. pI. 30 

fayettensis Berry _____________________ 19,23,25,43,79-80,116, pIs. 12, 25, 39, 46, 48 loughridgii ___________________________________________________________ 23, 28.44 

glenni Berry -----c------------------------------------- 19,20,23,27,43,82, pI. 41 nigricans (Lesquereux) Berry ____ _ _ _ _ _ _____ _ _ __ __ _ ___ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ _ _ _ 99 

glenni major ----------------c ____________________________________________ 27,43 parvulis Berry _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ ___ _ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ 99 

10wiL __________________________________________________________ 20,23.25,27.43 Cupressinoxylon calIL. ______________________________________________________ 20,41 

marshallensis Berry ____________________________________________ 10,22,25,43,81 wilcoxense ____________________________________________________________ 26,39,41 

mississippiensis Berry __________________________________ ,--- ______________ 82 Cyperacites min~tus Berry, n. sp __________________________ 3,20,27,41,53-54, pI. 3.5 

'nictitanioides Berry, n. sp ________________________________ 20,22,27,43,81, pI. 41 wilcoxen sis Berry, n. sp ___________________________ ' _____ 3,20,22,27.4],53, pI. 3.5 

nictitans Linno________________ __ __ __________ __ _____ _____________________ 81 sp ______________________________________________________ . _________________ 26,43 

puryearensis Berry _________________________________ Hl, 22, 23, 27,43,81-82, pI. 12 Cyperites sp. Hollick ________________________________________ . ________________ ]0, ii3 

robertsi Berry, n. sp ________________________________ 20,23,25,27,43,80-81, pI. 41 Cypris wilcoxen sis Berry, n. sp __________________________________________ 144, pI. 3[ 

tennesseensis _____________________________________ , ______________________ 25,43 

. wilcoxiana Berry ______________________________________________ 27,43,79, pI. 12 

Cedrela mississippiensis _______________________________________________ 22,27,44,95 

. . mississippiensis major Berry, n. val'. ________________________ 21,27,44,95, pI. 41 

D 

Dalbergia attenuata Berry, n. sp _____________________________ 21.22,27,43,85, pI. 38 

minor Berry, n. val'. _______________________________________ 27,44,95, pI. 41 eocenica Berry __________________________________________________________ , ]6,86 

.: ,od.oratifolia ___________________________ " _______________________________ 23,27,44 

puryearensis----- _____________________________________________________ 22,27,44 

monospermoides Berry ______________________________________ 21,22,27,43,85,86 

perryana Berry ____________ ~ _________________________ ~____ ___ ____ __ ____ __ 16 

p~~\Y.ilcoxiana Berry ,__ _ __ ___ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ 16 prewilcoxiana Berry ___ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ ___ __ _ ___ __ _ _ ]6 

wilcoxiana Berry----------------------------------------------- 16,19.23,27.44 puryearensis----- _____________________________________________________ 23, 27. 43 

Ceia'st'rocarpus eocenicus Berry, n. sp _________________________ 22,27.44,97-98, pI. 25 tennesseensis ______________________________________________________ 21, 22, 27, 43 

Celastrus"bolivarensis Berry, n. sp _______________________ .. ___ 21.22,27.44.97, pI. 29 wilcoxiana Berry ______________________________________ 16,22,27,43;85-86, pI. 48 

bruckmannifolia ________________________________________ --------7-- 21,22,27,44 Dalbergites ellipticifolius _________________________________________________ 25,27,43 

,i . eolignitiQa ___ .------------------------------ ---------- -- ----- --------- 23,27,44 

: 11l,inor Berry--~------,--------------------------------------- 23,27,44,97, pI. 14 taurinensis Ward ___________________________________________________ 4, 25, 32. 44 

ovatus _________________________________________________________ 2],23,25,27,43 

Dillenites microdentatus _________________________________________________ 22, 26,45 

ovatus Berry ____________________________________________________ 5, 21, 23, 26,45 

(. veatchi Hollick _____________________________________________ 23,25,44.97, pI. 14 

,Gef~tobhyllum incertum Berry, n. sp _________________________ 20.22,27,42.71, pi. 33 

~ii~~~;~:r~nE~~-~~:~:~:~~~~~«L~H~~~~~Z~~:::;~;:: ::: E 1<;'11~!I,~~t1~es eocenica Berry. n. sp ____________________________ 20,22,27,41.50. pI. 48 

{~~: .~(·i~~fii~~~~~;;~~:~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~: ~~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ :~ ,~hrysobalanus eocellica Berry _____________________________ 3,23,27,43,73-74, pI. 12 

serratus ___________________________________________________________ 2], 22, 28. 45 

tetracerafolia _________________________________________________________ 23,28.45 

texensis ______________________________________________________________ 23, 26, 45 

Diospyros as per Berry, n. SlL _______________ ~ ________ 20.2],22,28,46, ]26, 127, pI. 2,5 

brachysepala Alexander Braun ____________________________ 23,26,32,46,114,126 

eolignitica Berry, n. sp _____________________________________ 22,26.46,126, pI. 27 

lanceolata Roxburgh __________________________________ ~_ _ _ __ __ __ ___ _ __ _ _ 127 

madisonensis Berry, n. sp ________________________ 21.22.28,32,46,126, ]28, pI. 36 

mirifloriana Berry __ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ 126 

primaeva Heer _______________ ~ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ ___ _ 126 

rugosa Saporta_ _ _ _____ _ _ _ _ __ _ ___ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ ___ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ ___ _ __ 127 

i': .. ljc~~~ .. L.!nne------------- ----- -- ---- --- ----------------------------------- 73,74 .Ie inaequalis (Lesquereux) Berry - - __________________________________ 23,25,43,74 

Chrysophyllum ficifoliul1l ________________________________________________ 23,28,46 

virginiana Linne. _____________________________________________________ ]27,128 

wilcoxiana Berry __________________ 7 _______________________ 22,26, 4(), ]28, pI. 47 

SlL _______________________________________________________________ 21, 28,46, 127 
I~DEX. 193 

Page 

])odonnoll Imowltoni Borry ______________________________________ 21,22.28,100-101 

pnn'ulu Borry, n. sp _________ ~ _________________________ 21,22, 2S, 44,100, pI. 33 

viscosn .LinIl6______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 101 

wilcoxin nn. Borry _________________________________________________ 22,28,44, 100 

Doliohltos c1oussoni Borry _ _ _ ______________________________________ __________ 11 

Dropnnoonrpus forox l\~rnrtius _______________________________________________ : 87 

DI'ynnril\ Irrogulnris_ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ 49 

rogllinris_______ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ 49 

Dryophylltlll1 nmplulll ________________________________________________ 20,22,26,42 

nnolllnlulll _________________________________________________ . ___________ 22,25.42 

juvonnlo Borry, n. sp ________________________________________ 20.27.42,62. PI. 48 

11l00riL ____________________________________________________________ 21,25,32.42 

pmyonron80 Borry _______________________________________________ 4.19,23,27,42 

tonlJOSSocuso 13ol'l'Y _________________________________________ 4,5. 19. 23, 25, 42, 62 

])r),optoris clndophloboid(;8 ____________________________________________ 20.26.32,41 

])rypotos prokoyonsis _____________________________________________________ 22,27,44 

\lrchltorl!lom ___________________________________________________ 20,21,22,27.44 

G Page 

Goologic history, genernl features oL________________________________________ 2 

plnut locnlities illustrating_____ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ __ _ __ __ ___ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ 3-11 

Gloditsia nQuatica Mnrsh____________ ____ _ _ ___ _ _ _ __ __ ___ _ __ _ _ ____ _ _ __ ___ _ _ _ __ 82 

('?) mississippiensis (Berry) Borry ___________________________ 23,27,43.82, pI. 50 

Gloditsiophyllum cOllstrietllI11 _________________________________________ 20.22,27,43 

olliptieum ________________________________________________________ • 20, 22. 27,43 

ontndaformo _______________________________________________________ 20,22.27,43 

ooceuieuI11 Bcrry ______________________________________ 16.19,23,25.32.43,82,83 

fructuoSUI11 ___________________ c ________________ : _________________________ 25,43 

hilgardiallllI11 _____________ c ______________________________________ • _ 20. 21, 27, 43 

minor ________________________________________________________________ 22,27.43 

ova tum Berry ____________ : ______________________________________ 16.20,22,27,43 

prcovatulll Borry ____ __ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ ___ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ ___ _ __ __ _ ___ _ __ __ __ 1.6 

proeocenicum Berry ___ _ ___ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ ___ __ ___ __ _ ___ __ _ 1G 

Glyptostrobus europneus (Brongninrt) Heor ___________ 3,5,23.25,32,41,52,114, pI. 7 

Glyptostrobus pent, plallts from _____ -_ -- __ -_ -------_ -----------------_ -_ -_ -_ 3-4 Go~phia firmifolia Engelhnrdt._____________________________________________ 113 

Gordonia lasianthus Elliott_. ______________________________ ~ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _______ _ 141 

Greuada formation, flora of.. ________________________________________________ 23-25 

Enrlo, ~I.'ox., fossil plnnts from loc!'llitics nOIll· _________________________________ 11-12 

EchitonillUl lnnooolntlllll Ettingshnllson ____ ~ ______________________________ 5,28.46 

north of Loosnhatehie Hi\'or, 'roun., plnut-bonring olay of,_______________ pI. 3 

Grewia ponloi Ward. ___________________ • _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ 105 

sophino O. A. Wobor ___________________________________________________ ~ 131 Growiopsis claiborniann Berry ________________________________________ .______ 105 

Ecology of Wilcox pond, viow of Nolulllbo luton nlong mnrgin of Hce)foot ologans Berry, n. sp ________________________________________ 22,28,44.105. pI. i8 

Luko, ~I'onn., iIlustl'llting ________________________________________ pI. 6 platauifolia Wnrd ___________________ .____________________________________ 105 

Embothrilllll gl'llndlflonun ]:'nmnrck_ _ _ _______________________________ ______ 132 populifolia Wnrd_ __ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ ___ _ __ __ 105 

Ellgolhnrdtin ottlngshnllsonl Borry ______________________________ 19.23,25.32,42,60 tounosseousis Borry ___________ " _______________ 5,6. 7.W, 23, 26, 44,106, pIs. 15,16 mis$lsslpplonsls Borry ___________________ ~ _________________________ 22,27,42.60 viburnifolia Wnrd___ ______ __ __________________ __________________________ 10.5 

pmyonrol.lsis BOI'l'y _____________________________________________ 22,27.42,60-62 wndii Berry _____________________________________ : _______ 21,28,32,44,105, pI. 40 

Eocouo climntos, problom or. ________________________________________________ 33-40 Guajacum sauctum Linne ________________________ • ___________________ .______ 95 

Eocollo norns, lUodol'llizntion oL ____________________________________________ 13-14 Guottarda eJ1ipticifolia _______________________________________________ • ___ 23,28, 4fi Equisctulll sp ________________________________________________ 22.25,41,47. pIs. 7, 50 GYll1nogrnmmo trifoliata Desvaux___________________________________________ 50 Ellgouin dOl.lsinorvill __________________________________ :. ________________ 20,23,25,45 

grol.lnc1onsls ___________________________________________________________ 23,26,45 IT 

hilgnrc1innn. _____________ • _________ • ____ • __ ._. _________ • ____________ 20,21,21),45 

plll'yonronsis •••• _._. ___ •• _________ • _________ • _________ • _________ 20,21,22,28,45 

ElIouymllS ('l) frllctoscons Borry, n. sp _____ · ______________________ 21,27.44, !l8, pI. 25 

moskon borgollsis E ttingshnuson ••• _________ • ___________________ • __ _ _ _ _ __ 98 

splondons Borry ___ • ____ ._. __ ._· ___ • ___________________ • ___ 4.6,7,19,23,25,32,44 

Euphorbiophylllllll fl\yol;t01lso ______________ • __________________________ 21,22,27,44 

Exostomu pscudocnrlbnoulII __________ • _________ • ____________________________ 28,46 

ITamnmelitos fothergilloides ______________ ~ __ _ ___ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ __ ____ 72 

ITatehee River, Tenu., clay eouglomernto just oast oL _______________________ pI. 1 

ITelictoxylon wilcoxianum __________________________________ • __________ 21. 26, 39, 45 

ITolietta parvifolia Benthnm_____ __ __ __ ___ __ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ ___ __ ___ _ __ 92 

ITenry Oounty, Tenu., plant-bonring beds in _________________________ .______ 7-!J 

ITetorocalyx snportana Borry _____________ . _______________________ 22.27,44,96. pI. 14 

Hicoria antiQuorum (Newberry) Knowltou ______________________ 20,26,27,32,42,60 

F 

Fngnl'l\ oocolllcn_ •• _________ • _________ •• ______ ._ • _________ • _________ 20.21,22.27,43 

hurloyonsls ___ • ____ • ____ • _____ • ___ • ________ • _______________________ 20,21,27,43 

pmyonronsis ____ • _______________________________________________ 20,21,22,27.43 

creseoutia Knowltoll ______________________________ 6.7.23.26,27,42,59-60, pI. 34 

rostratnformis Borry ~ _____ ._ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ _ __ __ __ ___ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ _____ _______ 134 

Hiraoa wileoxinlla Berry: __________________________________________ 25,44,95, pI. 27 

Holly Springs saud, courses of clay in, nt Monroo pit, Honry OOUllty, Tenn __ pI. 1 

flora of. ________________________________________________________________ • 21-22 Ficus IIrtocnrpoidos Lcsqlloroux ____________________________________ 16,23,25,32.42 

currollOllsis Borry _. __ •• ______ ~_ __ __ __ __ __ __ ___ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ __ 15 

cillnllHlOllloic1os Lesquorcux _______________________________________ 16,22,27,42 

cooporonsis Borry __________________ • ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ 15 

don vorlnna Oockorol L __________________________________________ II, 16, 25, 32, 42 

olnstlcn _______ • ____ ._ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ 65 

ooligniticll Horry ____ ._._. ___________ ~ _____________________________ 16,20,26,42 

plnstie clay noar top of, at Foundry Ohurch pit, Henry Oounty, 'reUll __ pI. 4 

HYI11enaea eandolloauu HUI11boldt, Bonplnnd, nud Kuuth __________________ pI. 13 

ooconica Berry, n. sp ___________________________ 20,21,22,27.43,82-83,84, pI. 13 

inaoQualis Velenovsky ___________________________________________ , ___ ._____ 123 

primigeuia Saporta ___ ~ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ ___ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ ___ __ _ 123 

wilcoxinna Berry, ll. sp _______________________ • ________ 20.21,22,27,43,84, pI. 41 

fl'uctus _______ •• _. ______ • ___ ._ _ _ _ ___ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ 20 

fructus podicollnt.n. Borl'Y, II. \'ar __________________________ 23,25,27.42,66, pI. 48 

rostmtll13ol'ry, n. \'111'_. __________________________________ 22,27,42.66, pI. 48 

gl'llnclifolill ____ ._ ___ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _ ____ __ ______ _ _ __ _ __ __ _ ___ _ _ _ _ __ ______ 70 

hnn'isillnll :HoJiick _______________ • ____________________________________ 16,25,42 

mississlppionsis (Losqllol'oux) Borry _ 4,5,6.7,10,15,19,21,23,25,32,42.64,65,108 

misSissipplonsls cOl'dntn BOl'ry, n. "ar ________________________ 15,27,42.65, pl. 39 

gignnton BOl'ry, II. \'111' ____ " ___ •• ___________ (;,15,23.24,25.27,42,64-65, pI. 23 

1Il0nodou (l~osQuorollx) 1301'1')' ______ . _____________________ 16,21,23,24,27,32,42 

IIIy,'Wolin BOI·ry. _________ •• ______________________________ 15,18,19.23,27.42.65 

mYI'Wolin nlllpin BOl'ry, II. vnr ___________________________ 16,27,42,65-66, PI. 32 

ovnta BOI'l'Y, u. vnr _____________________ • ______________________ 16.27,42,66 

occl<iontnlis J.csQlIcrcllx ________________________________________ 11,21,32,42,04 

j)aucllll'ifolia Borry, n. sp __ •• ______________________ ._. 16,22,27.42,64, pIs. 21,42 

))opulnou Willdonow ___ • ___________________ .____________________________ 66 

post·trillorvis Knowltoll __________ .______________________________________ 11 

Icncoroa pl'Opanicll'lnta ____________________________ • _______________________ 22,26,46 

I10x amuis? ___________________ • ______________________________ • ___ -----_ 21,26,32,44 

decidua ____________________________ • __ ____ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ __ __ ___ _ __ 141 

eoliglliticn ______________________________________________________ 20,21,22,27,44 

lnontieola ______ • _______________________________________ • _ _ __ _ _ __ __ __ ___ _ 141 

opnea _____________________________________________________________ .___ _ _ _ ] 12 

sp ____________________________________________________________ -_ -______ -_ 2.5,44 

Inga laurina Willdenow _ _ ___________________________________________________ 77 

lauriunfolia Berry ________________________________________ 23,25,43,76-77, pI. 22 

leptoloba SchleehtondahL ___________________________ -_________________ -_ 77.87 

vomitoriafolia ____________________________________________________ • ___ 22. 27, 44 

mississippieusis _______________________________________________________ 23,27,43 

puryoarensis _______________________________________________________ 20, 22, 27,43 

wicklilTonsis Berry _______________________________________________ • 10,22,25,43 

psoudocllspidntn Borry ____________________________________________ 16,22,25,42 J psoudollllodillfolin BCITy __________ • _________ • _________ • _________ 16.23.25.32,42 

pm)'onronsis BOI'I'y. ____ • _________ • ____________________ 16,19.21. 23, 25, 30, 32, 42 

pllryonrollsis olongatn Bcl'l'Y ______ • ______ • _________________________ 16,24,25,42 

scirimpol'i Losqllcrollx ______________________ • __________ • __ ]6,21.23.25,32.42,04 

stopirousoni Bony ______ • _____________________ --------- ______ -- ________ -_ 10 

tcnnossoonsis Berry, n. sp ___ • ______________ • ________ G, 10.23,27.42,63-64, pI. 33 

t.i1inofolin (Aloxnncior Brnlln) uoor ________ ._.____________________________ 65 

JlIglnus borryi.. ___________________________________________ -_______ ---. 22,25,32,42 

nigella iloor ____ • ____________________________________________ -_ ---. __ -__ - 60 

oceideutnlis Newberry ____________________________ 5.23.26,27.32,42,58-59, pI. 9 

saffordinlla ___________ : ______________________________________ -----_ 20,22,27,42 

schimperi Lesquoreux- ___________________ . _____________ 10,16,19,23,25,32,42,59 

tenuessoensis Borry __________________________________ ---. __ -------_ ------ 16 

::~;~~)~~~::!i~~~·~;':'~\;_~~::::::::::::::: ::: :::::::::::::::::: ::: :::::: -4, ~~: ~~: ;~: !; sp. Bcrry ______ • ____ • ___ ._, ___________________________________________ 11,27,42 

K 

Knightiophyllum wilcoxianllm ___________________________________________ 23.27,42 

\i'lnbollnl'in coeonlcn LcsqllcrOllx_ _ ___________________________________________ 57 

Fossils of .".corklln position __________ • ___ • _______________________ 42,46-47,134-144 

}'olllldry Ch\ll'ch pit;, :nonry COllnty, ~I'enll., plastic day ncar top of Holly Spriugs sand nt __________________________________________________ VI. 4 

Frn~:.'I\·~~~~~:::~_t~~~~~ ~:~ ~~~~ ~~:~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~:~ ~~~~~:~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~_~:' ;~: ~;: ~~: :~ 

L 

Lagllneularia prerncell10sa Borry ______________ ------:-- ______________ 23.28,45,119 rneemosa Gaortnor. _____________________________________________ -_______ un 

Lanrinoxylon branllori. __________________________________________________ 2G, 32,45 

wilcoxinnum ____________________________________________________________ 39,45 
194 INDEX 

Page Page 

Lauropbyllum fiorum ___ -______ --_ -___________________________________ 20,22,28,45 MonocarpeIlites perkinsL _____________________________________________ 21,22. 28,4.5 

juven'ale _______________________ -___________________________________ 20,22,28,45 Monroe pit, '.renn., courses of clay in ilolly Springs sand at. _ _ ______________ pI. 1 preflorum _________________________________________________________ 20,22,28,45 Myrcia bentonensis Borry _______________________________________ 19,21,24,26.32.45 

riployensis Berry ____________ -__ __ _ __ __ __ ___ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ __ ____ __ 16 dubia Borry __________________ ~______ __ __ ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ ____ _ _ __ 16 

Laurus collinsi Berry, n. sp ________________________________ 22,28,45,117, pIs. 19,49 grenadonsis Borry _______________________________________________ 6.16,25,28,45 

hardemanensis Borry _____________________________ 5,20,22,28,45,117-118, pI. 19 havanensis Borry _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ ____ __ _ ___ __ _ _ 16 

verus ________________________ -________________________________________ 20,26,45 parvifolia _____________ • _______________________________________________ 22, 28, 45 

wardi!ina Knowlton___ _____ _ __ _____ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ __ ___ _ _ ___ __ ___ _ ______ 11 puryearensis _____________________________________ ~ ______________ 20, 21, 22, 2,-" 45 

Loaf, undeterminable ___________________________________________________ 143, p1. 25 vera Berry _____________________________________ ~ ________ Hi, 23, 26, 45,118, pI. 36 

Loguminosites andiraformis Berry, n. sp ____________________ 27,43,87-88, pIs. 13,22 worthenL ____________________________________________________________ 22 28,45 

aracbioides ___________________________________________________________ 26,32,43 l\'Iyrica cerifera ________________________________ , ______________________________ : 62 

aracbioides minor Berry, n. var ______________________________ 5,27,43,89, pI. 14 elaeanoides Lesquereux ________________________________ c ________ 21,23,27,42,62 

astragaliformis Borry, n. sp ____________________________________ 27,43,87, pI. 39 gale ____________________________________________________________________ ~ (i2 

canavalioides Berry _________ -_ -__ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ ___ __ ______ 16 puryearensis Berry, n. sp ___________________________________ 22,27,42,62, pI. 48 

cbosterensis Berry, n. sp ___________________________________ 3,5,27,43,89, pI. 14 wilcoxonsis Bcrry _______________________________________________ 10,23,25,42, (i2 

collindi Berry, n. sp ________________ · _______________ 23,27,43,84,89.pls.13,22,41 N contortus Berry, n. sp ___________________________________ 23.25,27,43.90, pI. 48 

copaiferanus Berry, n. sp _______________________________________ 27,43,91, pI. 45 . 

drepanocarpoides Berry, n. sp _______________________________ 27,43. 86-87, p1. 12 

omarginatus Berry, n. sp ____________________________________ 27,43,89-90, pI. 44 

bardemanensis Berry, n. sp ___________________________________ 27,43,89, p1. 14 

hoiImanseggiaformis Berry, n. sp _______________________________ 27, 43,87, pI. 41 

ingafructoides Berry, n. sp ______________________________ 27,43,77,87, pIs. 13,29 

monospermoides Berry, n. sp ______________________________ 27,43,90,pls. 25,49 

panduriformis Berry, n. sp _____________________________________ 27,43,90, p1. 48 

phyIIocarpoides Berry, n. sp ________________ . ___________________ 27,43,90, pI. 43 

pongamioidos Berry, n. sp _____________________________________ 27,43,88, pI. 32 

profoliatus _______________________________________________________________ 25,43 

roniformis ___________________ - ___ -_______________________________________ 27,43 

robertsi Berry, n. sp ___________________________________________ 27,43,88, pI. 27 

sbandyensis Berry, n. sp _______________________________________ 27,43.88, pI. 13 

subovatus _________________ - -___________________________________________ 27,43 

wickliiIensis _________________________ • ___________________________________ 27,43 

Nagoiopsis angustifoIia Fontaine_ _ ____ ______________ __ ________ ______________ ,51 

Nectandra glenni Berry ____________________________________________ 5,24,26,45, 116 

lancifolia (Lesquereux) Berry __________________________ 4,19,21,24,26.32,45, 1l(i 

Iowii Berry ________________________________________________________ ]9,24, 2(i, 45 

parvula Berry, n. sp _________________________________ 20,24,25,28.45,116, pI. 4(i 

pseudoeoriacea Borry _____________________________ 4.5, ]6, ]8, 19, 21, 24, 2(i, 45.11(i 

puryoarensis _____________________________________ ~ ____________________ 24, 26, 45 

wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp ____________________________________ 24,28,45,116. pI. 40 

sp ____________________________________________________________________ 10, 2(i, 45 

Negundo knowltoni Berry, n. sp _________________ (i, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 44, 98, 1)ls. 21,42 

Nelumbo lutea along margin of Heolfoot Lako, Tenn., viow of, illustmting 

ocology of Wilcox pond at Meridian, Miss _______________________ pI. 6 

Nelumbo protolutea Borry ______________________________________ ]8,20,24,25,27,43 

Nipadites burtini umbonatus Bowerbank _______________________ 24,25,27.32.41, 5(i sp ___________________________________________________________ 27,41,56-57, pI. 50 

Nyssa aquatica Marsh ____________________________________________________ 125, 126 

arctioa____ __ _ __ __ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ ___ _ _ __ _ ___ _ __ __ 89 sp _____________ -_______________ - _ -_______ -___________________________ 91, pI. 48 

Liquidambar europaeum Alexander Braun__________________________________ 72 

intogrifolium Lesquereux__ ___ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ___ _ __ ______ __ ____ 72 

styraoiflua _____________________ -_ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ __ __ 72 

wileoxianum Berry, n. sp _________________________________ 5,22,27,43,72, pI. 21 

Loosabatcbie River, Tenn., GrEnada fcrrnatien nertb 01. ____________________ pI. 3 

Lycopodites? eoligniticus ______________________________________________ 20,22,27,41 

Lygodium binervatum (Lesquer€ux) Berry _________________________ 21,27,41,50,51 

hastataforme Berry, n. sp _________________________________ 20,26,41,50,51, pI. 7 

has tatum Desvaux. _________ -_ - _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ __ ______ ___ _ 50 

kaulfussi Heer ___________________________________________________________ 50.51 

trilobatum Berry, n. sp ___________________________________ 23,25,41,50-51,pl. 7 

biflora Walter __________________________________________ " _______________ 89, 12.5 

curta Perkins __________________________________ 3,21,22,28,32, 4(i, ]25-12(i. pI. 19 

eolignitica Berry _____________________________________________ 22.28, 4(i, ]25,126 

jacksoniana Berry __ ______________ ___ _________________ __________ ________ 136 

lanceolata Lesqueroux__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ ___ _ ___ _ ___ _ __ __ __ __ 125 

ogeche Marsb _________________________________________________________ 125, 12(i 

sylvatica Marsb _____________________ ~ ___________________________ .-- ____ 89, 125 

tennesseensis Berry, n. sp. ______________________________ 21,22,28,46,125. pI. 19 

wilcoxiana Berry ____________________________________ 22,26,32,46.126, pIs. 19.39 

o Olneya tesota Gray_____ __________ _ ______ ____________ ________________________ 77 

Omalanthus populifolia Jussiou____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _____ _ _____ _ _____ _ ____ 69 

M Oreodapbne cousbatta ___________________________ ~ _____ ~ _____________________ 2(i.45 

Magnolia angustifolia Newberry __________________ .------- 4,22,25,32,42,70, pI. 38 

laurifolia Lesqueroux. ________________________________________ -'__ ____ __ __ 70 

leei Knowlton _____________________________________________ 21,23.24,25,32,42,70 

leoi angusta Berry, n. vac _________________________________ 27,32,42,70, pI. 37 

l\1:anihot eocenica Berry, n. sp ___________________________ 21,22,27,44,95-96, pI. 14 

Manibotites georgiana Berry ____ -- - ----_ -_ c-- _ ---_ - _ - _____ -_ - ______ :__ ____ __ . 96 

Marcbantites stepbensonL ________ c ___________________________________ 20,26,32,41 

May tenus puryearensis Berry ______ " ____________________________________ 6,23,28,44 

Molastomites americanus Berry ______________________________________ 23,26.45,118 

ovatus Berry, n. sp ___________________________________ 20,21,22,28,45,118, pI. 19 

verus (Berry) _________________________________ . _______________ 19,22,26,45, 118 

MonipbyIIoides ettingshauseni Berry __________________________________ 23,25,41,49 

tennosseensis Berry, n. sp _____________________ ~_ 18,20,23,25,27,41,49-50, pI. 49 

Mcnispormitos americanus Berry, n. sp ______________________ 22,27,42,69':'70, pI. 11 

cobatboides_,, ______________________________________________________ 20,22,26,42 

hardemanensis Berry, 11. sp _______________________________ 5,22.27,42,69, pI. 10 

wilcoxensis Berry _______________________________________________ 20.22,26,42,69 

intermedia Berry, n. sp __________ : _____________________ 22.28,45.116-117. pI. 29 

mississippiensis Berry ______________________________________ 19,2],24.26,45. 1l(i 

obtusifolia Berry _______________________________________ 4,10,19,21. 24, 26. 32, 4.5 

pseudoguial1ensis __________________________________________________ 24,26,32.45 

puryoap.:ensis __________________________________________________________ 21, 26,45 

salinensis _____________________________________________________________ 24,26,45 

wilooxonsis _____________________________________________________ ~ __ 20,22, 28,45 

Oreopanax minor ______________________________________________________ , 21,22. 28, 4(i 

oxfordonsis Berry __________________________________________________ 18,22.26,46 

wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp ____________________________ 22,26.46,122.123, pIs. 20.21 

wilcoxensis crenulatus Berry, n. var ______________________ 28,46, ]22-123, pI. 27 

Osman thus pedatus (Lesquereux) Berry _____ ~ _________________ (i, 21,24.26,28,32,46 

Ouratea castaneafolia Dc Candollo__________________________________________ 112 

eocenica Berry, n. sp ___________________________________ 24,28,45,112-113, pI. 45 

podogyna Donnell Smith________________________________________________ ] 12 

tuerckheimii Donnell Smith__ _______ ______ ____ ___ _ ___ _ ____ __ __ __ ________ 112 

wrightii (Van Tieghcm) Riley _________________________________________ 112, 11~ 

1\1:eridian, Miss., plant-bearing bods at._____________________________________ 3 P 

Mospilodaphne cousbatta Berry ______________________________________ 19,26.45,117 Palaeodendron ammicanum ______________________________________________ .,_ 22,42 

eolignitica (Hollick) Berry _____________________________ ~_ 19,21,23,24 26,45,116 Paliurus angustus __________________________________________________ 20.21,22,28,44 

precousbatta Berry.___ __ ___ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ __ __ _ _ __ __ ___ _ __ __ __ __ 11 mississippiensis _______________________________________________________ 24,28,44 

pseudoglauca Berry _______________________________________________ 19,23,26,45 pinsonensis _____________________________________________________ 20,21.22,28,44 

purycarensis __________________________________________________________ 22,28,4.5 Palmocarpon butlerense Berry _________________________________________ 5,25,32,41 

Motopium wilcoxianum Berry __________ ~ _____________________________ 19, 23, 25~ 44 syagrusioides Berry, n. sp ____________________________________ 22.27.41,56, pI. 8 

Mezoneuron cummingianum Fenzlcr________________________________________ 85 cf. P. sessile Berry _______________ . ____________________________ 20,27.32.41,55-56 

Mimosa sepiaria Bentbam____ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ ______ _ ___ ___ ___ __ __ 89 Paraengelhardtia eooenica Berry _________________________________ 24,27,42.60, pI. 46 

Mimosites acaciafolius __________________________________ _' _______ 22.27,43,74, pI. 30 Parkinsonia aculeata Linne _________________________________________________ 77,78 

cooperonsis Berry ________________ ' ___________________________________ ,____ 16 eocenica Berry, n. sp ______________________________ 22,27,43,,77-78.84, pIs. 12,41 

inaequilateralis Borry ________________________________________________ 27,43,79 microphylla 'l'orrey _ _ _ _ _ __ ____ ____ ____ __ ______ __________________________ 77 

lanceolatus Berry _____________________________________________________ 16,27,43 recta Laurent_ _ _ ______ _ _______ __ _____ ___________________________________ 78 

variabilis Berry ________________________________ 10,19,23.25,43.74,90, pIs. 12,32 Parrotia cuneata (Newberry) Berry ________________________ 4,25,32,43,71-72, pI. ] 2 

wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp __________________________________ 22,27.43,74-75, pI. 38 Porsea fructifera Berry, n. SIL __________________ , ___________ 20,22.28.45,] i5, pI. :n ,Mimusops duplicata Urban _ _ ___ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ _ _ ____ __ __ 129 longipetiolata ____________________________________________________________ 2(i,45 

eolignitica Berry ____________________________________________________ 21,46, 129 wilooxiana __________________ ~ ______________________________________ 24,25,26, 41i 

mississippiensis Berry _____________________________________________ 10, 23, 26, 46 Petals, flower __________________________________________________________ ]43. pI. 48 

prenuntia Berry, n. sp _________________________________ 22,28.46,128-129" pI. 39 Phanerophlebites knowltoni Berry, n. sp _____________________ 24,27,41, 4S-49, pI. i 

sieberifolia ______________________________________________________ 20, 21,22, 28,46 pealei Knowlton___________ ______________ _ __ _ ____ __ ___ _ __ _ __ _ ____ ____ ____ 48 
INDEX 195 

Page' Page 

[,hylJi tos asplonioidos______ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ 48 Snpindlls bontollensis_ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ ____ ___ ___ __ __ ______ __ __ ____ __ _ _ _______ ___ __ 44 

gl'onadonsls Borry, u. sp ___________________________________ 2<J, 28, 47,143, pI. 45 coushatta __________________________________________________________ 20,21,26,44 

sUSpOCtllS _______________________________________________ . _________________ 26,47 eoligniticus ________________________________________________________ 19,24, 25,44 

wllcoxollsls _____________________________________________________ 20,24,25,27,42 forlllosus Berry _________________________________ 6.7,19.24.25,44,101-102, pI. 36 

Pino Top, ~eOlln., lower part of big cut at ____________________________________ pI. 2 fl'Uctifel'lls Berry, n. sp __________________________________ 21,22,28,44,102, pI. 33 

soctiou iu big cut at. __________________________________ "_________________ 4-5 knowlton!. ___________________________________________________________ 22,26,44 

1'i801lia chlorophylloidos _______________________________________________ 21,27,42,69 linearifolius Berry ___________________________________ 10, 19,24,26,44,101, pI. 14 

oocollica E Wngshauson____ __ ___ ___ __ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ ___ ___ _ 68 mississippiensis Berry __________________________________________ 19,24,26,32.44 

eOligllitlca Borry __________________________________________________ 22, 25.42,68 oxfordensis ___________________________________ ~ _______________________ 24,28,44 

fl'llctiforn Borry, Il. sp ____________________________________ 20,22,27,42, 6S, pI. 11 pseudaffinis _______________________________ ~ _____________________________ 22,44 

10llgifo\ia Sargollt.___ __ ____ ____ _ __ _ __ __ __ ___ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ __ _ __ __ __ ____ __ 69 (?) sp. Berry ___________________________________________________________ • 11 

pruojacksoulalla Borry, 1.1. sp __________________________ 20,22,27,42,68-69, pI. 46 Sawfish Bay, Fla., view of, illustrnting probable appearance of a Wilcox 

puryoaronsls ___________ ••• _. ____________________________________ 22,27,42, 6S-69 

rucoll1osa Losquoroux •• _ •• ___ ••.•• _. __ •• __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ __ __ _____ ____ _ 68 

brackish-water lagoon _______ ._________ __ ________ _______ _ ________ pI. 5 

Sayersville, Tex., fossil plants from localities near ___________________________ 11-12 

rudobojllllll (Ullgor) ]~ttillgshausoll_ _ ____ ________________________________ 68 SchefIlera brownel..______ _ ____ __ __ _ _ __ ________ _ _ __ __ __ __ ___ _______ ________ __ 124 

Pistia wi!coxollsls •• _ •• __ • ___ ••• _____ • _. __ • ________________________________ 20, 26. 41 (?) elliptica Berry, n. sp ______________________ ' ____________ 21,22.28,46,124, pI. 41 

Plt.hocolobiulII oocollicull1 Borry ________________________________ 22,27.43,75, pI. 32 formosa Berry, n. sp_._. ____________________________ 24.28.46,123-124. pIs. 30,44 

oocouiculII anomalulll Borry, n. var _________________________ 27,43, 75-76, pI. 44 gaudini. _ _ _____ _____ __ __ __ _ ___ __ __ __ __ ___ _ __ ___ ___ __ __ _ _ __ __ _____ _ __ ____ 124 

oxfordollso._. _. ___ ••• ______ • __________________________________________ 24,27.43 rllbiginosa____________ _ _ ___ __ __ ______ __ ____ __ ___ _ __ ____ __ __ _ _ ____ _ ___ ___ _ 124 

(1) tOllllossoonso Borry, n. sp. __ • _________ • ___________ 20,22.27,43.75, pIs. 22,3U villosa_________________ _______ _ __ __ _ ___ __ __ _ __ __ _ __ __ ______ __ _____ ___ __ __ 124 

Plalloru'l crollata ____________ •• _.: _________________________ 20,24,25,26,27,30,32,42 Soqlloia langsdorfii (Brongniart) HeeL ____________________________________ 52,114 

.Platallus acoroidos latifolia Knowlton________________________________________ 11 sempervirens (Lambert) Endlicher ______________________________________ 52 

Ilobilis Nowborry ___ • ____ ._ •• _________________ 5,24,27.32,42,62-63, pIs. 8, 10, 11 Sideroxylon ellipticum Berry ______________________________________________ 4,28.46 

Poacltos sp. Hollick ___ ._. _____ •••• __________________________________ 25,41,53, pI. 7 premasticbodendron Berry ___________________________ . ______ 20,21,22,28,46,129 

Potalllogoton (1) fl'Uctus Borry, 11. sp •• _________________ 3.20,22,27.41.54-55, pI. 49 Simaruba eocenica Berry ________________________________ 22,25.44,93,94, pIs. 22,29 

glUckl Borry, n. sp _______ • _______________________________ 20.22,27.41,54, pI. 44 glauca De Candolle ________________________________________ • _________ • __ 93 

hotorophyllus Schrobor ___ _ __ __ ___ ___ ________ __ __ __ _ _ ____ _ __ _ _ ______ __ _ __ 54 Simarubites eoceniclls Berry, n. sp ___________________________ 21,22,27,44,94, pI. 44 

illcortus Borry, n. sp __ • ________ • _______ • ____________________ 22,27,41,54, pI. 29 Smilax wilcoxensis Berry, n. sp _______________________________ 22,27,41,57-58, pI. 10 

Pourounla toxalla Borry _____ ._______________________________________________ 11 Solanites brongniarti Saporta ________________________ ._ ____ _____ _ __ ___ _ ______ 131 

l'rosopls juliUorn Do Candollo_______________________________________________ 77 crassus Berry, n. sp _____________________________________ 22.28,46,131-132, pI. 25 

Protooldos wilcoxonsls Bol'I'y ______________________________________________ 4,27,42 pusillus Berry, n. sp __________________________________ 22,28,46,132,141, pI. 48 

Prunus alaball1011sls __ •• __ •••• ____________ • __ _ ___ __ ___ _ _ __ _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ 141 saportanus Berry, n. sp ____________________________ 21,22.28,46.131.132, pI. 25 dOlnlssa. __________ • ________ • _______ _ __ ___ __ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ 141 sarrachaformis Berry, n. sp ________________________ 21,22,28,46,131,132, pI. 25 

l1abortOllsls _________ • _. ___ • _______ • ______________________________________ 25,43 Solanum bonariense Linno _______________________________________________ .__ 132 

sorotilln ________ ••• _____ • ____ • __ ______ ___ __ __ __ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ ___ _ _ __ __ _ ·141 Somerville, '1'enn., outcrop of plant-bearing beds north of.._ _________________ 5 sphaorocar'pa. ____________ ••• _. ___ __ __ __ __ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ __ __ ____ __ ___ _ _ __ __ _ 141 Sophora afIlnis'Torrey and Gray_____________________________________________ 77 

Psoudollllodia ooconlca ___ • _________________________ • ________________________ 27,42 heuryensis ___________________________________________________________ 22,27,43 

Psychotrill grulldlfolia. __ • _______ • ______________________ ~ ___________ 21,22,28,32,46 lesquereu.x!. _________________________________________ • __________ 21.24.25,27,43 

Ptoloa arctica HoOt·._. _______ ••• ________________________ " _. ______ - ___ - _____ -- 93 lllucronata Berry ________________________________________ 22,27.43.86, pIs. 32.44 

oocolllc'n ])orry, n. sp _______ • __________________________ 21,22,27,.43,92-93, pI. 41 palaeolobifolia __________ • ____________________________________________ • 22,27,43 

iutorlllodiu E ttillgshuusoll ___ .________ __ _ __ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ _ ___ ________ __ __ __ 93 puryearensis __________________________________________________________ 22,27,43 

mlcrocarpa E ttillgshauson ____ • _. ___ • _______ • ____ __ __ __ _ __ __ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ 93 repandifolia __________________________________________________________ 22,25,43 

IIlncroptom Kovats ____ • __________ • _. ___ • _ _ ____ __ _______ _ _ ______ _ __ __ __ __ 93 secundiflora De Cand01le__________ __ ___ _ __ ______ _ __________________ ____ 77 

pagosl l\1:nrty __ • _________________ • ________ .__ __ ____ __ __ __ _________ __ ___ __ 93 wilcoxiana Berry ___________ • __________________________ 10,19,24.25,30.32,43,90 

il'ifoliatll Liun6_. ________ ._. __________ • _. __ __ ___ __ _ ____ __ _____ _ _ __ _____ _ _ 93 sp_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ 6 

Ptoris psoudopollllaoformis __ • __ ._. __________________________________ ._ 24,25,32,41 Sparganium ? sp ______________________________________________ 20,22,27.41,54, pI. 8 

Ptorobulullus toxallus •• ___________________ • _________ • _____________________ 21.26,47 Sterculia berryana Knowlton __________________ '_____ _____ __ ______ ____ __ ______ 108 

Ptorospormitos cf. p, millor Wurd __ • ____________________ 21,26.28,30,32,45,109-110 knowltoni Berry, n. sp ________________________________ 24.28.45.108-109. pI. 46 

macropby1la _________________________________________________________ ._ __ 108 

Q minima Berry ____________________________________ .____ _ ____ __ ______ ____ 107 

lllucronata Lesquereu.x ________________________________________________ 107, 109 Quorcus paucidoniuiu •• _._ __ _ ___ ___ _ ____ __ __ __ __ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ __ ___ _ 72 puryearensis Berry ____________________________ • ___ 24,26.45.107,108.109. pI. 24 

R 

wilcoxen sis Berry ______________________________ 4,5,26,45,65,107-108, pIs. 26,27 

zavalana Berry, n. sp ________ • _____________________________ 21,26.45,107, pI. 18 

Roolfoot Lako, Toun., viow of Nolumbo lutou ulong lUurgill of, Illustrntillg ecology 

of Wilcox pOlld at Meridinn, Miss _______________________________ pI. 6 

Uoynosla prnolluutia Borry _____________________ • __________ 24,28,44,104-105, pI. 41 

J)ruonuutiu lougopotiolata Berry, u. vaL ___________________ 21,28,44,105, pI. 46 

. Sterculioearpus eocenicus Berry ______ • ________________________________ ._ 26.45, 109 

sezanneUoides Berry ___________________________________________ 21,22,28,45,109 

spbericus Berry, n. sp ___________ • ______________________ 24,28,45,109, pIs. 25,48 

Studies of the Wilcox flora, review oL______________________________________ 1-2 

wllcoxiaua Borry _______ ••• _._. _____________ • _______________________ 6,24,28,44 

RhaD1uitos borchOllliaformls_._. ________ ••• ____________ • __________________ 21.22,26 T 

knowltoui Borry_. _____ •• _._._. _______ ._. _____ ._. ____________ 4,6,7,19.24,26,32 

Rhamnus cleburnL _____ ._. ___ • _______ • ___ • ___________________________ 24,25.32.44 

coushuttn Borry ___ •• _. ____ •• _______ • ___ • ________________________ 4,10,24,26,44 

ooligllitlcus •• ___ • _. _____ • _. _________ . _______ • ___________________ ~ ______ 22,26,44 

1I1nrginatus. __ • __ • ____ • _____ • ______ ._. ________________________________ 21,26,44 

lIlnrgi11ntus npiculntus Berry ________ • _______________________ 11.21,24,26.32,44 

puryonronsis ________________ • __ • ________________________________ 20,21,22,28,44 

sp. ])orry _______ • ___ • ___________________ • _. ___________ • ________ ~_____ __ __ 11 

Rhlzophorn lllnuglo LiLlIl() __________ • ___________________________ " ____________ 143 

Hlploy florn, rolntioLl of Wilcox florn to ______________________________________ 12-13 

Hubincitos (1) pollicioruforlllis Borry, n. sp ________________ 5,21,22,28,46,134, pI. 49 

sphoriclls Borry, n. sp_._. ______________ • ______________ 22,28,46,133-134, pI. 45 

wilcoxonsis Borry, n. sp ________________________________ 22,28,46.133,134, pI. 45 

Hutnphyllum irifo\int1l111 ]3orry, Ii. sp. _________________ 6,21. 24, 25, 27, 43, 92, pI. 42 

Taxites olriki Heer ___________ ~--------------------------------------------- 52 ('l) sp. Berry ________________________________________________ 22,27,41,52. pI. 36 

Taxodium distichum Richard_ __ ____ __ ____ __________ ___ _ ______ ____ ____ ______ 53 

distichum miocenum Heer _____________________________________ "._______ 53 

dubium (Sternberg) Heer ________________________________ 22,26,27,32,41,53,114 

wilcoxianum Berry, n. sp ___________________ • ______________ 3,22, 27,41, 53, pI. 7 

sp. Berry ______________________________________________________________ ._ 53 

'raylor farm, Chester County, Tenn., section aL ____ ._______________________ 3 

'1'erminalia brownei Fresen___ _ __ ______ __ ____ ________ ____ ______ __ ________ __ __ 120 

ehebula Retz_________ _ __ __ __ ____________ __ ____ __ __ __ __________________ __ 121 

darlingiL ____ .. __ ________ ____ ____________ __ __ ____ __ ______ ____ ___ _ ____ _ _ __ 120 

hilgardiana (Lesqllereu.x) Berry _________________________ 11,21.24.26,32,45,121 

lesleyana (Lesqllereux) Berry ___________________________ 11,21,24,26,32,45,121 

vera Berry _______________________ • _____________________ 22.28,45,119-122, pI. 49 

S 

wilcoxiana Berry _______________________________________ ~ ___ 21.24,25,28,45,122 

'1'ernstroemites crassus Berry, n. sp _________________________ 22,28,45,110, pIs. 28,38 

Sabal gruyallu ]:,osqlloroux_____ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ __ __ __ ___ _ ___ __ _ __ __ ____ __ _ __ ____ _ 57 eoligniticus Berry _____________________________________________ 19,24,26,45, 110 

palnlotto. _________ • ______________ • ______________________________________ 18, 57 lanceolatus Berry __________________________________________ 24.28.45,110. pI. 44 

Sabalitos grnyauus Losqllorollx _____________________________ 5,10,18,19,24,25.41,57 ovatus Berry ________________________ • ________________________ 6,7,24,26,45,110 

Snlvinin formosn Iloor ___ •• ___________ • ___ • _________ .__ __ __ __ ______ ___ _______ 48 preclaibornensis Berry _______________________ • _________ • __________ 16,24.26,45 

Ilatans Ilofl'muun _____ • ___ • _____________________________ • ____________ -_ -- 48 ripleyensis Berry ______ __ ________________________ __ ____ ____ __ ____________ 16 

pronllriculatu Borry_ •• _,. ________ • ____ • ________ ._ 22.26,27,32,41.47-48, pis. 7,50 'Texas, Wilcox formations of southwestern, features oL ____________ ._________ 9-10 

zoi1loril~ritoL _ • ___ • ___________ • __________________ • ______ ____ __ _________ _ 48 Thevetia plumierifolia ____ • ________________________ • _____________________ .___ 130 
196 INDEX 

Pagc Page 

'I~hriuax kcycnsis SargcnL _________________________ ~ ______________________ . ___ 55-56 Wilcox flora, distribution of species of, in other regions and formations______ :l2 microcarpa SargenL _____________________________________________________ 55-56 diversity of development of, on eastern and western shores of Mississippi ~L'rapa wilcoxensis _________________ " ___________________________________ 21,22,28,45 GulL ___________________________________________________________ 25-29 

environmental conditions oL _ _ __ ___ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2!J 

v localities oL _____________________________________________________________ 40-41 

localities of, that carry more than 25 species,,____________________________ 20 

Vantaneawilcoxiana _____________________________________________________ 22.25,44 species of, found at but a single locality __________________________________ 20-21 

Viburnum cuneatum Newberry _ _ _ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ 71 present composition oL ______________________________________ ~ __________ ] 6-Ii 

foetidum Wall var. rectangulum GraebneL_____________________________ 112 relation of Ripley flora to ___ _____________________________________________ ] 2-13 

propinquum Hemsley___________________________________________________ 112 relative abundance of species oL ________________________________________ ]7-]9 

sp. Derry ______ ______________________ ______ ________ _______ _______________ 11 sources oL _______________________________________________________________ ]4-16 

wide-ranging species oL _________________________________________________ 19-20 

W Z 

Zamia floridana De Candolle________________________________________________ 52 

Wakulla River, Fla., view of, illustrating probable appearance of a Wilcox mississippiensis Berry _______________________________________ 20.24,25,27,41,52 

bayou______ ___ _____ __ __ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ ____ __ _____ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ pI. 6 tennesseeana Berry, n. sp ____________________________ ~ 20,22,27,4],5]-52, pI. 32 

Wakulla Springs, Fla., view of, illustrating probable appearance of a Wilcox wilcoxensis Derry _________________________________________________ 22.25.4],52 

fresh-water lagoon_____ __ ___ _ _ _ __ _ ___ _ _ __ __ __ _ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ___ _ pI. 5 Zizypbus falcatus ________________________________________________________ 24.28,44 

Wilcox flora, complete list oL _______________________________________________ 41-47 meigsiL ___________________________________________________________ 21, 28 32,44 

correlation oL ___________________________________________________________ 29-32 Zygopbyllun1 (?) eocenicum Berry, n. sp __________________ 21.22.27.44.94-95. pI. 31 

o