Examination and Study hy means of the Microscope. 227 



desirable, if space can be spared in the cabinet, to have the various 

 species found in each gathering separately mounted, so that they 

 may be at any time studied in comparison with similar forms from 

 other localities. 



General directions for collecting Diatomaceae have been already 

 given in part seventh ; but it will be desirable to again allude to a 

 few points in connection with this portion of our subject. Some 

 years since, an article entitled " Hunting for Diatoms " was pub- 

 lished in a London journal called ' The Intellectual Observer.' The 

 author's name was not given, but internal evidence would seem to 

 indicate that it was penned by a deceased botanist of note, who was 

 a decided authority oq this branch of biology. This paper contains 

 some valuable hints respecting the places in which to look for 

 diatoms, and some of the suggestions contained therein I have 

 ventured to transfer to these pages, as they will be found of value 

 to the intending diatoraist. Thus, the exquisite Arachnoidiseus, 

 Triceratium Wilhsii, and Aulacodiscus Oregonensis, may be looked 

 for on logs of wood which have been floating in the sea, and imported 

 from New Zealand, or Vancouver's Island. So, on logs from Mexico 

 and Honduras may be found the curious Terfsinse musica. The 

 nets of fishermen, especially from deep water, may yield algae bearing 

 such forms as Rhahdonema arcuatum ovAdridtium,Grammato2Jhora 

 serpentina and vnarina, various Synedras, and otLer fine forms. 

 On oyster shells may be found algae bearing upon their fronds 

 ■Biddulphia regina, Baileyii or aurita. PJiizosolenia styliformis 

 is said to be almost sure to be there likewise. After a ship is 

 unloaded, and as it floats higher in the water, its sides may be 

 searched for treasures of the diatom world, and Achnanthes longipes 

 and hrevipes found, or even Diatonia hyalinum and Hyalosira 

 delicaiula. The sea-grass, or Zostera marina, growing along our 

 coast, often bears upon its waving ribbons fine forms of diatoms, 

 and that used for stufling chairs, and lounges or mattresses, and 

 imported from abroad, will yield foreign species to the collector. 

 There is a plant known in England as " Dutch rushes," which is 

 imported into that country from Holland, and which is used for 

 chair bottoms. These plants grow in the brackish water of the 

 marshes, and hence upon them are to be found the delicate Goscino- 

 dismis suhiilis, Eitpodiscus Argus, and Triceratium favus. Both of 

 these two last-named forms occur commonly on our Atlantic 

 coast, and muds from Charleston, S.C, and Wilmington, Ga., have 

 provided me with them in plenty. Cargoes of bones, which present 

 green incrustations from having lain in the water for some time, are 

 said to yield diatoms, some of which may be rare, as coming from 

 foreign ports. The state of New Hampshire has not yet been 

 sufficiently gone over for it to be said what the characteristic 

 forms of Diatomaceae growing within its boundaries are, but yet we 



