74. PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
The “ swarming” movement of the contents of the fronds 
of many species I have found to be very frequent. Mr. 
Ralfs suggests these moving granules may be analogous to 
the zoospores of other algee, and perform a similar function. 
The movement resembles somewhat that observable in the 
fovilla of pollen. If these granules be zoospores, and even 
a moderate proportion of the same should prove productive, 
should we not expect to find the Desmidiacez in greater 
myriads in the waters they frequent than they really are? I 
have noticed the movement equally active in both the old 
and newly formed segments, and while even yet undergoing 
the process of division. I regret I have only been suffi- 
ciently fortunate to meet with the true reproduction of the 
sporangia in these species. 
Perhaps it may not be out of place if I add, with regard to 
the collection of the Desmidiacez, that I have found the 
most expeditious method of gathering the smaller species 
(which adhere, forming a cloud-like mass round the leaves of 
plants or similar foreign objects) to be, to bring a small phial 
under the water, gently to push the blade of grass or sedge, 
or other such object, into it, snip it off, and thus retain the 
Desmids adhering, rather than to strip the plants with the 
hands, frequently rather a tedious and difficult process. The 
larger species I have found more abundant, not in the deeper 
pools, but rather in shallow water, an inch or two in depth, 
and in which there exists a very slight trickle of water per- 
manently throughout the summer. 
In regard to precise localities for the species mentioned in 
the list, I regret I cannot be more definite. Along the 
“ Piperstown Road to Glencree,” there are a number of 
pools, as well as on each side of the “ Military Road” over 
the “ Feather-bed Mountain,” and these, with the few excep- 
tions mentioned in the list, produced all the species which I 
have had the pleasure to meet with. Most ponds and streams 
produce some species, especially of the genera Closterium, 
Cosmarium, Scenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus, and others. 
LIST OF DESMIDIACEA FOUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF 
DUBLIN. 
Hyalotheca dissiliens (Smith), abundant. 
‘4 mucosa (Mert), * 
Didymoprium Borreri (2a/fs), not uneommon. 
Desmidium Swartzii (4y.), rare. 
Spherozosma excavatum (Ral/s), rare. 
Miorasterias denticulata (Bred.), common. 
Fs rotata (Grev.), bs 
4 papillifera (Bred.), not uncommon. 
Americana 6 (Hhr.), rare. 
