Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 167 



4. LESSER DUCKWEED 



LEMNA MINOR Linnaeus 



Not particularly abundant in the lake ; found mostly among the 

 great mass of duckweeds at Norris Inlet. On September 24, 1900, 

 it was found along shore near Farrar's, but not thriving. On Oc- 

 tober 12, 1900, it was found in the lake opposite the springy flat by 

 Overmyer's field. 



It was found abundantly in flower in pools by the Norris Inlet 

 June 13, 1901. The blossoms are minute white specks, like bits of 

 dust. 



In general appearance, this duckweed much resembles Spirodela 

 polyrhiza with which it is usually associated, but differs from 

 that plant in its somewhat smaller size and in the possession of one 

 instead of several rootlets. 



5. MINUTE DUCKWEED 



LEMNA PERPUSILLA Torrey 



A small duckweed, resembling L. minor, but somewhat smaller. 

 Abundant, mixed in with the other duckweeds near Norris Inlet 

 and in other suitable situations, often associated with Wolfiella 

 floridana. 



6. COLUMBIA WOLFFIA 



WOLFFIA COLUMBIANA Karsten 



This interesting duckweed represents the smallest of the flower- 

 ing plants,* the whole plant being a spherical light-green body 

 about the size of a pinhead. The flowers appear as minute white 

 specks. 



Plants are quite abundant about Norris Inlet, where they help 

 form the great mass of duckweed-scum at that place. They are 

 not, however, so abundant nor widely distributed, nor in such clear 

 cultures as at Eagle Lake, where some of the bayous are completely 

 covered by them. Besides the great mass at Norris Inlet, a few 

 plants were found south of Winfield's, sheltered among the rushes. 

 On October 9, 1900, down at the Inlet, we obtained a large quantity 

 of these plants, the greater number of which were in flower. 



Although W. punctata was tolerably abundant at Eagle Lake, 

 not far distant, it has not been recognized at Maxinkuckee. It 

 differs from W. columbiana in being a trifle smaller, riding deeper 

 in the water, and having a somewhat flat-topped upper surface. 



This little plant is an important portion of the food of certain 

 small fishes, among which may be mentioned the mud minnow 



*The smallest known flowering plant is Wolffia miiroscopica of Asia. 



