108 OF THE CHARACE^. 



with carbonate of lime ; an unfortunate property for the 

 collector, as it renders them so brittle, that he has some 

 difficulty in securing plants in a perfect condition. 



All the Characege prefer, for their habitats, ponds and 

 ditches with a muddy bottom, and in which the water is 

 clear, although stagnant : they are rarely found in swiftly" 

 flowing streams and rivers. As a rule, they prefer shallow 

 pieces of water, though many species flourish at consider- 

 able depths in the larger lakes. Some, perhaps a fourth of 

 the European varieties, delight in brackish water ; a few in 

 the sea itself. Their geographical range is wide, being 

 found in greater or less abundance in every quarter of the 

 globe, although most common in the more temperate 

 climes. 



On account of the extreme brittleness which characterises 

 these plants, it is extremely difficult to handle them without 

 breaking off portions. A first consideration, then, with the 

 collector is to avoid entangling the individuals as they are 

 brought out of the water, as his subsequent efforts to 

 separate them from each other will cause him infinite 

 trouble and vexation. 



There is no difficulty in collecting them, when they 

 chance to grow near the bank. The collector must dip his 

 hand into the water, and seizing a tuft of the plants as near 

 to the root as possible, grasp them firmly and draw them 

 up to the surface in such a way that they shall not bend 

 over on themselves, and get their branches twisted and 

 jumbled together. Before attempting to get rid of the 

 mud, quantities of which are sure to be clinging about the 

 root, the upper clean part should be enveloped in paper : 

 this will prevent it from getting dirtied, and will keep' the 

 stem and branches from entangling. Then hold the roots 

 in the water, kneading them softly with the hand, but not 

 drawing the fingers through them. The purified masses 

 may then be laid lengthways between folds of damp paper 

 and carried home : a portfolio is the best and safest mode of 

 transport. The greatest care must be taken not to allow 



