224 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Au 



pLant-life in the water is indicated by the abundance of 

 animal life therein, and examination confirms the infer- 

 ence. The shore waters show an extensive vegetable 

 growth, principally, perhaps entirely, of algae. A num- 

 ber of species seem to be indicated from the widly vary- 

 ing colors of the vegetable masses, and three have been 

 recognized. Diatoms have been found in the brackish 

 waters of the playa-pools ashore, and diatomaceous depos- 

 its make up part of the old lake beds. 



Much has been said at diiferent times as to the possi- 

 bility of adapting fish to a life in the lake. In the absence 

 of experimental data it would be rash to conjecture ; 

 though it would appear unlikely that fish could thrive in 

 such a brine. Yet the fear expressed, that even if fish 

 could be accustomed to the lake water they would starve 

 unless artificially fed, is unfounded, for the waters con- 

 tain an abundant food supply — crustaceans, insect larvae 

 and pupa3, and alga^. The fauna and flora of the Great 

 Salt Lake are subjects inviting thorough investigation. — 

 New hook entitled The Great Salt Lake. 



Peridinieae. 



ARTHUR M. EDWARDS, M. D., F. L. S. 

 Many besides myself have been much puzzled to place 

 the Peridinieae as an order of microscopic things. For one 

 may call them things, until he can place them under- 

 standingly in the vegetable or animal kingdom. They are 

 not PjTOtista, at least they do not conform to the classifi- 

 cation which Haeckel has placed Protista in ; and yet as 

 George Murray says in his "Introduction to the Study of 

 Sea weeds," London, 1875, "judged by our present knowl- 

 edge of this order, it occupies a position on the border- 

 land between the plant and animal kingdoms, while the 

 balance of evidence certainly leans towards our regard- 

 ing them as plants." That is to say, one who is a botan- 

 ist thinks they are plants, whilst one who is a zoologist 



