250 WOOD^ ON SOME ALGM FROM A 



species of Diatomaceae, as collections might be made in fresh 

 water if it occurs near the hot springs. 



Besides, these forms from the saline as well as from the 

 fresh waters of the Pacific coast should be very carefully 

 compared with those found in the immense deposits so com- 

 mon in that part of the world ; one of which deposits Fremont 

 found on the Columbia River, and others have been detected 

 by the State Geological Survey of California in that state 

 and elsewhere. The origin of these deposits, and all facts 

 connected with them, are of especial importance at the pre- 

 sent time. It must, at the same time, be remembered that 

 the fact as to what constitutes a species in the Diatomacea? is 

 by no means settled, as less really is known of the life his- 

 tory of these minute organisms than of almost any other 

 plants. Moreover, in the study of the Diatomacese and allied 

 families the observer has presented to him extremely advan- 

 tageous opportunities of making himself acquainted with 

 many points in the phenomena of cell-life in simple as well 

 as more complex plants and animals. I therefore ask the co- 

 operation of every one at all interested in the prosecution of 

 science and the acquisition of knowledge to the furtherance 

 of this branch of study ; and to such as are able and willing 

 to collect I will furnish plain printed directions, and to all 

 who desire to pursue this branch of investigation I will gladly 

 furnish all the assistance in the shape of information and 

 specimens in my power. 



Notes on some Alg^ from a Califoknian Hot Spring. 

 By Dr. H. C. Wood, Jun., Professor of Botany in the 

 University of Pennsylvania. — (' American Journal 

 Science,' July, 1868). 



Some time since Professor Lcidy handed me for examina- 

 tion a number of dried Alga>, which he had received from 

 Professor Seidcnsticker, by whose sister, Mrs. Partz, they 

 had been gathered in the Benton Spring, Avhich is situated 

 in the extreme northern point of Owen's Valley, California, 

 sixty miles south-west from the town of Aurora. Afterwards 

 a number of similar specimens came to me directly from 

 Mrs. Partz by mail. The subject of life in thermal springs 

 is one of so much general interest, especially in connection 

 with that of spontaneous generation, as to induce me to 



