only from Cape Cod to New Jersey, abounding chiefly in the shore waters 

 of Long Island sound and New York harbor. 



This alga attains a length of 50 cm. and a breadth of L0 cm., but this 

 is an unusual size. The oi'dinary specimen would not exceed 20 cm. in 

 length and 5 cm. in breadth. 



This plant attaches itself to the piles of wharves, pieces of decayed 

 wood, and rarely grows on stones and shells. It grows most abund- 

 antly i) to 10 feet below low tide mark. It is a dbccious plant, and 

 also has a nonsexual method of reproduction. The antheridia are .small. 

 nearly transparent dots promiscuously distributed in the tissue of the 

 thallus. When liberated, in salt water, the antherozoids are quite active, 

 and while they were not observed fertilizing the female organ, it is safe 

 to affirm that they accomplish a union with the female portion of the 

 plant in the way common to algse. 



The female organ — the cystocarp— is jug shape, with a prominent orifice. 

 The cystoearps are found equally distributed on the surfaces of the thal- 

 lus which is one cell thick. The interior of the cystocarp is very com- 

 plicated. It develops from an apical cell. This further testifies that Dr. 

 Schmitz's theory of the origin of the reproductive organs of the red alga 

 is true — namely, they are terminal growths, or branches of the frond. 



Experiments in germinating spores were quite successful. Carpophores 

 were cultivated for several days in salt water. Cell division was rapid 

 and there were young filaments developed containing l(i to 20 cells. The 

 study of spore termination and the development of the youn.L: plant is to 

 be continued. 



BOTAXICAL FIELD WORK IX WESTERN IDAHO. By D. T. MacDoUGAL. 



As may be seen by reference to the map, a large proportion of the state 

 of Idaho consists of a triangular mountain mass, with its greatest length 

 from north to south, reaching in places an elevation of 14,000 to 15,000 

 feet, and including on its eastern border the Bitter Root, Coeur d' Alene 

 and Rocky Mountain ranges. 



Botanical explorations have been carried on in the valley of Clark's 

 Fork of the Columbia to the eastward in Montana, in the basin of the 



