AQUATIC LlfE 137 



On this particular day we found the water to be exceedingly- 

 clear and blue. This blue color is probably due to the blue-green 

 algae and great amount of sulphur present. The Hole is fed by 

 springs which, on some days, bubble up to the surface. The water 

 is ice cold and very odorous of sulphur. Workmen, who get 

 drinking water there, say that when the springs are bubbling it is 

 impossible to see the bottom owing to the great agitation. The 

 sides and bottom are composed of marl and only a slight growth 

 of vegetation occurring on the sides near the top, was found. 



From the two streams leading from the Hole, numerous trout 

 are caught every year tut in the Hole itself animal life is very 

 sparse. We could see no fish but found one stickleback underneath 

 the plant shelf. The keeper of the Castalia Fishing Club said that 

 he had seen trout swim across Blue Hole with mouth out of water 

 and then jump on to the land. From these facts we drew the 

 conclusion that there is but very little free oxygen present. 



From the shelf which covered the water for about two feet 

 from the shore towards the center, pieces' of the shelf, i foot long 

 by 6 inches wide, were taken from the Hole and examined. The 

 first piece was taken from a point nearest the center of the Hole. 

 It was made up of moss and algae. On the under surface there 

 •were found numerous snail eggs m5.t only a few adult forms. Located 

 in the mat there were Ganimarus and snails. Very few forms were 

 found on the top of the mat. 



The second piece was taken from a point close to the shore 

 and the odor from this piece was very strong of sulphur. Few 

 forms were found on the surface and on the bottom but in the mat 

 the following forms were found : numerous insect larvae, snail eggs, 

 leeches and Ganimarus; Asellus sparse, and only one earthworm. 



The third sample, taken from the mat next to the shore, was 

 made up of chara. In this the Gammaridae and Asellae were 

 abundant. Also found Simulium larvae. In a piece of Spirogyrae 

 mat taken from a similar point numerous Annulates were found. 



A sample of moss taken from the Hole at the upper end had 

 very little life on it, one earthworm being found. 



Sample number 5 was taken from near the shore and was made 

 up of mint, moss and other plants and it was found to be sparsely 

 inhabited; a few snails, leeches, and insect larvae. Three pieces 

 of moss, the size of the hand, were taken next and examined and 

 the following were found: 



