158 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb. 



northern distribution of a number of forms. This surmise was 

 abundantly confirmed by the fact that 28 species were collected 

 last summer in the vicinity of the Experimental Farm itself, 

 and some 40 species are recorded for the district. 



It may be considered, in view of the circumstances of the 

 case, that the publication of even a preliminary list of the species 

 observed is, at this time, premature. This would be a reason- 

 able objection if it were sought to emphasize the amount of 

 information gained, rather than to draw attention to the need 

 for much more extended work before a record approaching 

 completeness can be prepared. The vegetative stage of the 

 plants, consisting of a slimy mass of naked protoplasm (the 

 Plasmodium) is usually concealed in decaying wood, or amongst 

 fallen leaves or other decomposing vegetable matter, and only 

 seeks the light when about to enter upon spore formation. 

 While the fructification is often well exposed in some elevated 

 place, for instance, on a tree stump, it is not infrequently on the 

 underside of a log, amongst leaves, or on small twigs on the 

 ground, and this, taken together with the small size of the 

 sporangia in many cases, makes it necessary to search very care- 

 fully if nothing is to be missed. Furthermore, the sporangia 

 are often so delicate that a heavy rain-storm after they have 

 been formed may render the identification of them almost 

 impossible. All these circumstances make it possible to work 

 over a small area very thoroughly at frequent intervals, and 

 yet enter on another search in the same spot with a reasonable 

 hope of meeting with something new. The main purpose of 

 the writer, therefore, in publishing this article is to secure the 

 interest and assistance of those who may have an opportunity 

 of obtaining specimens. It is hardly expected that mpny 

 persons will collect material systematically, but the knowledge 

 that the local forms are being studied may induce those who are 

 pursuing field-work along other lines, or who are spending a 

 vacation in the country to collect and preserve the specimens 

 they meet with. The country around Chelsea and Kingsmere, 

 for instance, suggests almost inexhaustible possibilities for the 

 collection of these organisms, and summer residents could 

 obtain many specimens with very little trouble. 



With regard to collecting it mav be said that much better 

 results are usually obtained by a thorough examination of a 

 small area than by superficially looking over one of wider extent. 

 Where the material is found on dead wood a note should be 

 made as to the kind of wood if identification is still possible. 

 In many cases it will be found, however, that the logs, stumps 

 and branches apparently most attractive to the Myxomycete 

 are too much decomposed to admit of any opinion as to their 



