208 
way, and I feel sure that it is only by such earnest application 
that we can acquire any knowledge of the phenomena 
peculiar to what we know as life which will be of any 
lasting value. 
The plant I examined belonged to the genus Gidogonium 
of Link. The particular species was undetermined and when 
it is considered upon what slight and evidently artificial char- 
acters species have been founded among the Cryptogamia I 
am sure that I will be excused from venturing upon such 
delicate ground, especially as by so doing I run no danger of 
offending those who do not recognize the existence of species 
at all, or, on the other hand, puzzling those who do recognize 
the existence of natural species but are not anxious to have 
them multiplied. The form observed is extremely common, 
growing in clear springs in various sections of the country, and 
is especially plentiful around the city of New York. To the 
unaided eye it appears as a bunch of fine filaments of a light 
green color and by the unknowing collector of microscopic 
wonders is usually classed under the inclusive title of “ Con- 
ferve.” My first investigations were made in the month of 
April, a season when this peculiar phase of this plant appears 
to be common. And here I would impress upon students of 
nature, and more especially those who use the microscope to 
assist them in their investigations, the great advantage to be 
derived from making collections early in the spring. <At 
that time the young stage of many organisms may be pro- 
cured, and, as that season is also the time of rapid change 
and development, we are placed in the very best condition 
for watching transformations that may take place and 
determining the true position of many forms which might be, 
and in many cases, Iam convinced, have been ranked as 
perfect species. Let the young biologist remember that our 
knowledge of a species is never complete until we have made 
ourselyes acquainted with the whole cycle of its existence 
from the germ to the adult, from the parent to the offspring 
and the early spring in such latitudes as have a severe 
winter, during which almost all life lies dormant, is the 
time for such studies. 
