METROPOLITAN RESERVATIONS FLORA 



Stir. Prank S« Cellins Maiden, Mass., has consented to take 

 charge ©f the special work on the following family: 



ALGAE 



Collectors may send, specimens to him for determination and 

 preservation and all communications concerning euch specimens and 

 this family may be addressed t© hire 97 Dexter street, Maiden. 

 Ultimately all observations on this family will be placed in his 

 hands so that ho may prepare the report upoa it » 



Mr a Collins has prepared the following suggestions for 

 collectors:- 



Algao are to be found "wherever there is moisture; on wet 

 rocks, moist ground; even on the bark of trees; but much the larger 

 number of. species actually under water. In early spring, rmsnisig 

 brooks are the most promising localities; later in the season, & 

 mere abundant florae will bo found in ponds* In still water, looss 

 floating masses of varying shades of green are found: omly the 

 practised collector ean distinguish the different kinds at sight, 

 and even then only vaguely, careful microscopic examination iss 

 necessary for their determination. 



Other species will be found farming fringes on varieus ®bj ecta 

 sticks, water-plants etc, these are generally different from th« 

 loosely floating forms . Others/grow on stones, often as a dense 

 coating, sometimes as scattered gelatinous masses, from almost 

 invisable. size t© half an inch in diameter; color varying from 

 pale green. to almost black > 



In hot weather especially, a seurn is often formed on p^nds, con- 

 sisting of inconceivable numbers of .. extremely minute algeae. Wet 

 rocks especially when facing the North, or so sheltered as net to 

 be exposed to the sunshine, often have in places a gelatinous 

 coating, consisting of algae, usually of the lower types. 



These different algae require different kinds of treatment 

 fur preservation as specimens; .but it is a universal rule that for 

 purpeses of study and identification, fresh material is much Matter 

 than any preparation. 



Nearly all fresh water algae will keep in fair condition 

 for a day or two if put in clean water; a small battle ean be sent 

 by mail if securely »l®scd and paeked in a tin ©r weeden box; er a 

 ama.ll block ©f wood tan be used, a round hole bored in it to just 

 admit the \sottle, the mouth of the hole olosed by a cork; this 

 bleok ean be mailed withotit packing. 



