Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 179 



the southwest shore of the lake at the beginning of Overmyer's 

 woods, and some along shore in front of Culver Military Academy 

 grounds, also in the region of Norris Inlet. 



It is very abundant in Lost Lake. Here great masses of roots 

 occasionally arise to the surface, making a sort of floating island. 

 They have the appearance of having been lifted by some upheaving 

 force. Some have attributed these upheavals to the presence of 

 marsh gas, but it is more probable the soft bottom is unable to hold 

 down the buoyant mass when it has grown beyond certain dimen- 

 sions. These great masses, floating on the surface, impede boat- 

 ing and give a tropical aspect to the sluggish dark water of Lost 

 Lake. This plant also grows in Green's marsh. It is one of those 

 plants of tolerably wide range of environment varying from a 

 marsh plant to one growing in rather deep water with only floating 

 leaves and flowers exposed, and it exhibits a marked response to 

 environment, as do most plants of this sort. The swamp plants 

 have stout stems, with the leaves stifl" and firm, standing at an 

 angle and sometimes with traces of fluting radiating from the 

 base of the petiole, suggesting that of a palm leaf fan. The stems 

 of the water forms are flaccid, and the leaves always horizontal, 

 floating on the surface of the water. The young leaves have a 

 peculiar rich violet coloration which may serve as a protection from 

 the rays of the sun. 



By April 26, 1901, the leaves were up and floating quite in sum- 

 mer fashion, and by May 19, 1901 the plants were in flower in 

 Green's marsh. 



30. WATER-SHIELD 



BRASENIA SCHREBERI Gmelin 



Rather common in the north edge of Lost Lake, and along near 

 the Inlet, and by the green boathouse. It does not appear to blos- 

 som frequently here. The young leaves down close to the rootstock 

 do not die during winter, but remain ready to come up at once on 

 the return of spring. 



Green leaves washed ashore on east side Lost Lake November 

 3, 1904. 



The floating leaves have a beautiful autumnal coloration, turn- 

 ing bright red or purplish. The flower, although not showy, is 

 handsome and attractive. A remarkable feature of the plant is 

 its gelatinous coating which makes it appear as if enclosed in glass. 

 The function of this coating is not clear, and it is absent in its near 

 relatives, the water-lilies. 



