DAPHNIA POND. 233 



vicinity of Flathead lake as given by Silloway is 135. One-third of these 

 may be found in the immediate neighborhood of this one small pond, 

 showing the opportunity for study afforded by it. 



Of the smaller microscopic life of the waters no examination has 

 been made. Of protoza, diatoms, desmids, and the smaller worms 

 there is no doubt a large number owing to the abundance of entomos- 

 tracan life which the pond supports. 



Owing to the size and character of the pond it offers an admirable 

 site for detailed study of several forms of animal and vegetable life with 

 respect to environment, with opportunities for experiments in changing 

 the conditions, thus vitally affecting the lives of the inhabitants. In 

 comparison with the waters of Flathead lake Daphnia pond teems with 

 life, although but a short distance from the former, and insignificant in 

 size in comparison. In the large lake there is little protection along the 

 shore, owing to the pebbly nature, almost none in the bottom. The vege- 

 tation is confined to a few areas at either end where shallow water makes 

 a swamp, and where vegetation can have a footing. The water is clear, 

 cold and deep. Receiving a constant influx of cold water from the Swan 

 and Flathead rivers, the lake does not cool rapidly save in the shallow 

 bays where the water has little motion. In Daphnia pond, however, there 

 is abundant vegetation. Great mats of it may be pulled out from almost 

 any portion, from the growing green plants uppermost to the dead and 

 decaying peat below. This mass is alive with living and crawling objects, 

 which here find ample protection. There are no fish to destroy them 

 while in the larval stage, hence they multiply rapidly. Among insects 

 many have been mentioned. As these emerge from the water to the air 

 they prey upon each other, and are in turn preyed upon by birds. A 

 bittern was killed with his stomach full of the dragonfly Aeschna con- 

 stricta. Kingbirds are known to prey upon them also. There can be 

 little doubt but that many species of birds live principally upon the in- 

 sects about the pond, although no examination of stomachs has been 

 made other than as above mentioned. 



Daphnia pond is commended to the students of the station laboratory 

 as an excellent place for securing material for statistical studies in varia- 

 tion, for determining the relationships of hydrophytic and hydrozoic life, 

 and for experiments on both forms of life. It offers to teachers an 

 admirable place for securing material for class use, being one of the 

 best collecting fields discovered in tWs section of the state. 



