8 MICROSCOPIC FOItMJ' IN FK/SFI WATKR. 



These are the principal forms that have been found here as 

 yet, but the ground has jast been broken. 



There is an excellent field here for the study, as we have 

 fresh, brackish and salt water all within easy distarce. 



Not only can a great many varieties be found, but we have 

 commenced by establishing several small aquaria, in connection 

 with the Association, where opportunity will be had to study the 

 life habits of these minute forms. A journal is being kept, 

 stating where the specimens were found, the appearance, number 

 of species found, and other notes. This is a very necessary 

 proceeding, and marginal notes are made so one can see at a 

 glance what you have and where it was found. 



It does not do always to stick too closely to the books, as, for 

 instance, you will always tind it said that there is no use look- 

 ing for desmids in a swift-tlowing stream, and this is in general 

 true; but yet. passing one day by the bank of a swift-running 

 brook, during a spring freshet, a bunch of algse was noticed 

 sticking to a stone in the middle of the swift current, which, 

 being taken gently off and placed in a bottle, yielded, when 

 brought home and placed under the microscope, the first and 

 finest clusters of closterium Venus ever met with so far, and the 

 brook was followed up and explored and proved a perfect 

 bonanza for desmids of very many varieties. So, also, from a 

 horse trough on one of the principal streets were obtained most 

 elegant festoons of Diatom vulgare in endless numbers. 



Look for yourself, don't take anybody's word, and don't 

 despise the humblest sources as you may and probably will 

 find in some iiorse track specimens which you may look in vain 

 for elsewhere. 



You will rind also matter for thought and speculation, in 

 your own experience, that you may never see mentionetl in 

 books. For instance, two specimens of the cyclops have been 

 found here that were covered with a species of parasite that 

 looked like the epistylus infusoria, as they drew in and expelled 

 each a current of water. In both cases the animal appeared to 

 be sick or suffering, or at least annoyed, as they were tr^ang 

 vigorously to shake them off, and seemed also sluggish. They 



