102 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



the redeye appeared to be most affected. The carnivorous turtles 

 such as the soft-shelled and the snapper were especially subject to 

 them while the herbivorous species, particularly the painted turtle, 

 were comparatively free. 



Record may here be made of a Bryozoan, Plumatella poly- 

 morpha, possibly related to the Gephyrean worms. Plumatella 

 polymorpha is a compound animal, many individuals budding off 

 from one another, as in plants. The moss-like colonies of this 

 species were very common in the lake among the Chara and other 

 plants. They were noted in the Chara near the depot pier, off 

 Long Point, near Winfield's, and at the south end near the Farrar 

 cottage. Indeed, it appears to be distributed generally through 

 the lake wherever there are patches of vegetation. Among the 

 Charas it forms a brown upright bushy growth. In the Weedpatch 

 it was common on the leaves of Potaniogeton amplifolius. On Oc- 

 tober 23 (1900), it was found to be abundant on Ceratophyllum 

 in rather deep water. A week later (October 29) a good deal was 

 gotten on Myriophyllum. Early in the spring (March 1, 1901), 

 it was seen growing on Potamogetoyi robbinsii, and a little later it 

 was found in abundance in front of Arlington station. It was 

 often found on Chara and other aquatic plants dredged at various 

 times. It was also found growing on tile piles September 1 

 (1906). 



During the autumn of 1900, the statoblasts were frequent in 

 plankton scum along shore, often being present in great abund- 

 ance. They somewhat resemble floating sand grains but are 

 lighter in weight, being minute circular brown discs uniform in 

 shape and size. Under magnification they show series of facets like 

 the compound eye of insects. 



On October 18 (1900), one of the buoys which had been for 

 some time anchored out in the lake was found to be covered with 

 a flat creeping growth of this species. 



As Plumatella polymorpha occurs in this lake it is highly 

 worthy of its specific name, as it shows great variation in form 

 and general appearance. 



The leaves upon which it grows are often eaten by fishes, prob- 

 ably for the sake of the Plumatella. The yellow perch and bluegill 

 are the species in whose stomachs we found it most abundantly. 

 The stomach of a bluegill caught at the Weedpatch October 26 

 (1904), was full of statoblasts. During the autumn of 1904 it 

 was noted as exceedingly abundant. 



So far as we know Plumatella polymorpha is the only Bryozoan 

 in this lake. 



