1905] Collins, Phycological Notes of Isaac Holden 171 
water algae. In the eastern states there are over 3o species of 
Spirogyra, over 50 species of Oedogonium; not one of these can be 
recognized at sight, or even by inspection with a pocket lens; it 
would be barely possible sometimes to distinguish the genus by the 
lens, and often not even this; if looking for a certain species of 
Oedogontum, recorded from a certain town, perhaps known only from 
that one station, one might spend days wandering about, collecting 
every green thing, examining each in the evening with the micro- 
scope, and finally go away without the desired plant. Details as to 
station that would be unnecessary with flowering plants, that would 
even seem grotesque to botanists generally, may be very useful. It 
might excite mirth to read that Oedogonium Ravenellii grew in South 
Springfield, in the pond in Smith’s pasture, at the place where 
Jones’s cattle come down to drink; and yet, without some such 
detail, one might spend a day in vain in looking for the rare species. 
Of course the cows may change their habits, as everything in this 
world changes; but cows and country residents generally are con- 
servative, and changes in such matters are infrequent. As regards 
the larger marine algae, such full detail is not as necessary, but it is 
a help, and the smaller forms require it only in a less degree than the 
fresh water forms; nearly every species thrives best in some particu- 
lar environment; shallow bay, swift current, exposed to surf, etc. ; 
' the knowledge of this is convenient to the collector. For the inter- 
est of the student who wishes to learn in regard to such preferences 
of environment, but who cannot visit the station, indications of the 
characters of the principal localities here referred to will perhaps be 
useful, Seaside Park, Pleasure Beach, Long Beach, and Woodmont, 
are sandy or pebbly shores open to Long Island Sound; often with 
boulders of various sizes, but at Woodmont is the only exposure of 
solid rock for many miles; several species not recorded elsewhere in 
the Sound are found here. The Gut is a narrow channel, through 
which the tide runs swiftly; Cook's Point is low and marshy, facing 
Bridgeport harbor; Stratford Shoals (or Middle Ground), Penfield 
Reef, and Black Rock, are points in the Sound, marked by light- 
houses or beacons, and nearly or quite covered at high tide. Fresh 
Pond is in Stratford, and is connected with the Sound by a narrow 
channel, which at times is open, at times closed by gates; the water 
varies from slightly brackish to fully as salt as the sea; but in spite 
of the name, is never fresh. Yellow Mill Pond is a shallow muddy 
bay, the bottom bare at low tide, the outlet crossed by Yellow Mill 
