ÆSCULUS SIMULATA n. sp.
Pl. XV, figs. 1, 2.
Leaflets rather membranaceous in texture, broadly
obovate-lanceolate in shape, somewhat unequal-sided, long, wedge-shaped
at base, rather abruptly rounded above to an apparently accuminate apex;
margin minutely and regularly serrate throughout except for a short
distance just above the base; midrib very thick; secondaries numerous,
about 15 pairs, alternate, close, mainly parallel, forking or breaking
up into two or three branches near the margin and ending in the teeth,
occasionally camptodrome, with fine branches on the outside which enter
the teeth; nervilles numerous, thin, mainly percurrent, oblique to the
secondaries; finer nervation producing minute irregular areolae.
This fine species is represented by several examples,
two of the best being figured. As all are separate leaflets, it is
impossible to deter mine their arrangement. They are short-petioled if
not quite sessile. The smaller of the figured specimens has 6 cm. of its
length preserved and was probably between 8 and 9 cm. long when perfect.
It is 4 cm. wide. The larger specimen has above 9 cm. of its length
preserved and is 6 cm. wide. The entire length was probably about 15
cm.
This species seems very close, indeed, to both
Æsculus octandra and Æ. glabra, well-known living
species of the eastern United States.
Locality.White hill one-half mile east
of original Van Horn's ranch locality. Collected by Knowlton and
Merriam, July, 1901 (U. S. Nat. Mus., Nos. 8519, 8520).