Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 173 



in a delicate bud for the next year's plant, and it is upon these 

 delicate portions that the ducks and coots delight to feed. 



The leaves of the plants near shore turn white and decay in 

 autumn even before freezing weather sets in, but occasional bits 

 can be raked up, as green as ever, the year round. Among the 

 numerous dates at which it was observed washed up in conspic- 

 uous rolls are September 20 and 29, 1903, and October 16, 1913. 



16. STOUT NAIAS 



NAIAS FLEXILIS ROBUSTA Morong 



Very abundant, ranging in depth from 1 to 24 feet, most com- 

 mon in the northeastern part of the lake. This general statement 

 includes both forms, the typical species and the subspecies. The 

 references to the deeper-growing form apply to the subspecies. 



Naias flexilis is confined near shore in shallow water, and dies 

 down every autumn. N. flexilus robusta grows in deeper water, 

 being common at a depth of 9 feet, and remains green all winter. 

 It was not found in fruit, and has no special propagating buds, so 

 that the method of propagation is unknown, unless broken-off frag- 

 ments of the ordinary stems strike root and grow. 



The Coarse Naias was found in considerable quantities in the 

 stomachs of coots, and it evidently formed an important article 

 in their diet. 



17. FCETID CHARA 



CHARA FOCTIDA A. Braun 



Plant quite long and slender, rather dark green when wet, 

 white and harsh when dry, on account of the encasing lime. In- 

 ternodes long (about 2 inches) and quite slender. Branches 

 cylindrical, rather blunt, mostly unbranched or sometimes abruptly 

 bent where apparently a branch will appear later on. Branches 8 or 

 6, and at the top, 2 or 3 in a whorl. No fruit at all (August- 28, 

 1900). An occasional branch arises apparently from the axil of 

 one leaf in the whorl. 



Cortex composed of rather narrow tubes, 6 or 8 seen at the 

 surface of a leaf, and about the same number on the stem. Small 

 knobs (stipules) below a node quite conspicuous, just above which 

 can be seen rather round clear cells in which active protoplasmic 

 movements are visible. 



Leaves with frequent nodes, where there is a round knoblike 

 cell between each two alternate sinuses of the cortical tubes, and 

 the ends of the cells, form a ring perpendicular to the long axis of 

 the leaf. The cortical cells all end somewhat truncately in the 



