THE BIOLOGY OF THE PLANT 



Crreen Felt ( Vaucheria Sp.) 



Material. — ^Various species of Vaucheria grow as a 

 coarse, dark-green, felted mat on the rocks and timbers 

 in streams, and on the surface of the earth in the beds 

 and flower-pots in greenhouses. In the latter situation 

 they may be had all the year round. The terrestrial 

 species may be kept growing indefinitely by transfer- 

 ring to the laboratory some of the earth with the plant 

 and covering it with a bell-jar. The .aquatic species 

 should be put into a low aquarium with plenty of mud 

 and flat stones, and be kept covered with water three or 

 four inches deep. In both situations the plant needs 

 plenty of sunlight. Alcoholic material may be prepared 

 according to the directions given for /Spirogyra. 



Iodine, carmine, Schulze's solution, two per cent, salt 

 solution, saucer, fine forceps, pipette, hand-lens, etc., 

 will be used in the examination. 



Method of Exammation. — The structure of this plant 

 necessitates the most careful handling, in order that 

 good specimens may be obtained. A smaU portion of 

 the felted mass should be placed in a small dish of water, 

 and gently shaken until some of the plants separate 

 from the mass and float in the water. "With a pipette 



