1897-98-] The Upper Elf Loch, Braids. 369 



X.—THE UPPER ELF LOCH, BRALDS. 



[Second Paper.] 



By Messrs THOMAS SCOTT, F.L.S., and JOHN LINDSAY. 



{Read March 23, Revised to April 30, 1898.) 



In continuation of our investigations with regard to the 

 micro-flora and the micro-fauna of the Upper Elf Loch, we 

 now beg to submit to the Society this second, and concluding, 

 report, the result of gatherings taken at six different dates 

 since the close of our first paper — viz., June 26, July 27, 

 September 11, and November 20, 1897; February 5 and 

 April 23, 1898. Appended to this paper will be found a 

 list, arranged alphabetically, of the motile Algae, Desmids, 

 Diatoms, Ehizopods, Infusoria, Eotifera, and Entomostraca 

 observed in the gatherings taken throughout the whole period 

 of these investigations, from March 1896 to April 1898. 

 These groups have been selected because they include many 

 and varied forms interesting to microscopists ; but it is not 

 to be inferred that the list is an exhaustive one, though it 

 is believed to be accurate, as far as it goes. 



We shall now proceed to select from the groups above- 

 mentioned any forms collected since the close of our first 

 paper which may seem to call for special notice. Before 

 doing so, however, a few words may be given to a rather 

 remarkable circumstance in the history of this little tarn — 

 viz., the large and rapid increase in the growth of rushes, 

 grasses, and other vegetation, which has lately taken place at 

 the north-west part, being the only portion of the loch to 

 which the public have access. This growth began in the 

 autumn of last year (1897), and continued throughout the 

 winter and following spring, with the result that now the 

 total water area is less by fully a third than it was in the 

 spring of 1897. The loch is never cleaned out, and all that 

 keeps rank vegetation in check is the rigour of winter, which 

 usually cuts down much of the growth made during the pre- 

 vious season. The weather in this city, from the middle of 



