288 THE NORTH AMERICAN SLIME-MOULDS 



deeper, although color may be none the less, in some way a result- 

 ant, and therefore in so far a reliable taxonomic guide. 



The treatment of our subject so far by no means exhausts the 

 possibilities of even the simpler phases of microscopic study. We 

 have endeavored to appreciate the work of those who hand us the 

 literature of the group, and to recognize what such keen-eyed men 

 have seen ; but in our western and southern forests there are proba- 

 bly double as many species, as species go, as we have listed. 



The entire group is, as it would seem, in highest measure worthy of 

 investigation and comprehension, and should it at any time prove 

 that to such accomplishment the present volume may have been 

 in any smallest way contributory, the author's satisfaction will be 

 complete indeed. 



