Studies on the fossil flora and fauna of the western United States

There is an increasing amount of evidence to indicate a close relationship between certain of the Tertiary floras of the western United States and groups of plants now living in the same general region.Too often the emphasis of correlation in palaeontologic studies tends to result in a disproportionate consideration of the differences between fossil and living groups, and their resemblances pass un¬ noticed.This paper is written with the purpose of pointing out the similarity between the fossil Bridge Creek flora and the living red¬ wood forest.The Bridge Creek flora is found in the Tertiary of the John Day Basin and other parts of Oregon; the redwood forest is limited to the Coast Ranges of California.Once established, such a similarity makes possible the interpretation of the living conditions of the Bridge Creek epoch in terms of the modern forest.Studies in the Great Basin during the past four years have been carried on with the assistance and advice of Dr. John C. Merriam, and for the past two years with his cooperation as president of the Carnegie Institution of Washington.From Dr. Frank H. Knowlton the writer has received assistance of greatest value in connection with the study of Tertiary floras.In the study of modern floras many valuable suggestions have been made by Dr.