NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DIATOMAEC^. 50S 



over, N. H., in the summer of 1871, I procured the following species belonging to that 

 family : 



Didymoprium Borreri. 



Desmidium Swartzii. 



Microsterias denticulata ; Microsterias crenaia. 



Cosmariufn Botrytis. 



Staurastrum polytnorphum. 



Docidiuni nodulosum. 



Closterium angustatum. 



Pediastrum Boryanujti. 



As special gatherings for obtaining these organisms were not made, the above list is 

 very brief; but hereafter I hope to add to it, as the desmidia of the United States 

 have not been much studied, and a great deal remains to be done in our micro-zoology 

 and micro-phytology. Respectfully yours, 



A. MEAD EDWARDS, M. D. 



Newark, N. J., September i, 1874. 

 Prof. C. H. Hitchcock, State Geologist: 



Dear Sir — During my excursions in and around Hanover, N. H., three years since, 

 in search of diatomaceae, I collected a few specimens of wild plants infested with 

 diseases caused by the growth upon them and in their tissues of microscopic parasitic 

 fungi. These I submitted to my friend, Mr. M. C. Cooke, of London, Eng., the well 

 known fungologist, and he was so good as to identify them. They were the following : 



^cidiuTn Viola, Schum., on wild violet. Viola. 



^cidium grossularicB, D. C, on wild gooseberry. Ribes hirtellum. 



ALcidium Dracontii, Schw., on Indian turnip. Arum triphyllum. 



ALcidium asterum, Schw., on a plant whose name was not ascertained. 



The mere announcement of the discovery of these species in New Hampshire will 

 not perhaps prove of interest to the majority of the readers of the survey report ; and 

 this will arise from the fact that they will not be sufficiently informed with regard to 

 the important bearing these minute plants have upon the occupation of the agricul- 

 turist. There is no doubt that it would be greatly to the advantage of the farmer were 

 he better informed concerning both the animals and vegetables which prey upon his 

 crops. If he knew something of their habits and modes of attack, he would be the 

 better prepared to resist their depredations, or even to attack them in such a way as to 

 preserve his crops, and thus save for himself much money and labor. At some future 

 time, and as further specimens come into my hands, I shall take the opportunity of 

 transmitting to you some remarks on the fungi injurious to the crops of the agricul- 

 turist. In the mean time, students of these plants may be glad to know that those 

 I mention have been found in New Hampshire. 



Respectfully yours, A. MEAD EDWARDS, M. D. 



VOL. \. 66 



