MICROSCOPICAL OBSERVATIONS 



SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA 



THE observations here recorded were made during the winter and spring of 

 the years 1849 50, while on a tour as an invalid through the Southern States. 

 Although my researches were pursued under many disadvantages, and amount 

 to scarcely more than a reconnaisance of the places visited, yet some facts 

 of considerable interest were determined ; and as the microscopic productions 

 of these regions have never before been studied, some value must attach to even 

 the most imperfect examinations. With this feeling, I offer the following notes, 

 hoping that if they have no other interest, they may serve to point out to 

 Southern naturalists, and the numerous intelligent invalids who hybernate in 

 the South, how rich a field of amusement and instruction surrounds them even 

 in midwinter. 



Among the most interesting results obtained were 1st. The discovery of an 

 extensive stratum of fossil Infusoria near Tampa Bay, (see page 19). 2d. The 

 existence of vast quantities of infusorial remains in the rice fields and salt 

 marsh formations of the South, (see pages 5, 11, 12, 13 and 20). 3d. The dis- 

 covery of many new species of microscopic plants and animals, (see page 36). 

 4th. The demonstration of the cosmopolite character of many minute beings 

 hitherto only known as European species, (see tables, pages 28, 31 and 33). 



For the convenience of those microscopists who may hereafter visit any of the 

 regions which I examined, I will state in detail the circumstances of time and 

 place under which each observation was made, and give for each locality a list 

 of the species, and then combine these into a general table, to illustrate the dis- 

 tribution of species. 



