376 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



of Vorticella. As furnishing a haunt for amphipods and other 

 crustaceans, however, it is far inferior to Ceratophyllum. 



Myriophyllum can be studied excellently through the ice, es- 

 pecially as regards distribution. Whenever, in going over clear ice, 

 one comes to a place where the water deepens rather suddenly and 

 the bottom, a moment before visible, slopes rather abruptly to a 

 black abyss, a thick fringe of this plant is pretty sure to show, and 

 the last glimpse of vegetation to be seen is the tops of the milfoils 

 projecting up out of the dark depths. One patch of this sort was 

 found notheastward from the ice-houses and northward from 

 Chad wick's, and another off the Gravelpit about 1,000 feet out 

 from shore. 



Family 108. Araliace^e. Ginseng Family 

 553. american spikenard 



ARALIA RACEMOSA L. 



Not common about the lake, but found scattered through wood- 

 lands. Once common throughout the state, but disappearing in 

 many places on account of woodlands being thinned out and used 

 for pasturage. It thrives best in rich leaf- or wood-mold, and 

 reaches its greatest development at the base of old rotten stumps. 

 A well-grown plant is one of the most tropical looking, stately ob- 

 jects to be found in our woodlands, and the species might prove 

 of value as an ornamental plant in parks if it could be induced to 

 thrive. The black spicy berries somewhat resembling elderberries 

 in appearance grow in a handsome cluster. The thick spicy root is 

 used in some places as an ingredient in home-made salves. 



554. WILD, OR VIRGINIAN SARSAPARILLA 



ARALIA NUDICAULIS L. 



Not common ; a few plants were seen on Long Point back of the 

 Jenks cottage. Leaves well up by May 10. This plant thrives 

 best in leaf -mold, and is usually seen about the head of gullies and 

 on steep slopes, especially where there is a thick layer of old dead 

 leaves. It is not an especially striking plant. The long rootstocks 

 have some medicinal repute. 



555. GINSENG 



PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM L. 



Rare; only one plant found northeast of the lake in a gully in 

 the corner of Culver's woods. Once common throughout many 



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