194 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 



Study 26. Observations at a Spring 



Any clear-flowing permanent spring will do for this study 

 whether ' 'improved' ' with abasin or a spring-house, or not. A 

 time of freshet should be avoided: low water is preferable. 

 The individual equipment needed will be a flat dish (like a 

 white-enameled vegetable-dish) and a hand dip-net, with, 

 possibly, a few vials to hold specimens pending their identi- 

 fication. For common use, a pail, a garden-rake and a 

 thermometer should be provided. 



The program of work will consist of: 



1 . An examination of the spring itself, its water, its bed, 

 its topographic situation. 



2. A survey of the inhabitants of its waters, both plants 

 and animals. The plants may be raked out of the water, and 

 certain animals may be picked from them by hand: other 

 animals may be picked from stones in the brook-bed or sifted 

 from the bottom mud with a dip-net. 



The record of this study may consist of: 



1 . A map of the environs of the spring, including a bit of 

 the outflowing brook, showing topography, outcropping 

 strata, riffles and pools. 



2. Notes on the spring water, its temperature, color, 

 taste, etc. 



3. An annotated list of the population of the water. 



(a) For plants, giving name, kind of plant, growth- 



habit, relative abundance, etc. 



(b) For animals, giving name, kind of animal, situa- 



tion in which found, relative abundance, 

 economic importance, etc. 



