Announcement of the 



plished in 20 to 40 years. Back from the lake under severer condi- 

 tions it will take longer unless the region is artificially planted. 



"The bog type of vegetation is plentifully represented, both in 

 mature form and in developmental stages, within easy access. The 

 bog trees are mostly coniferous. White cedar (arbor vitae), tam- 

 arack, spruces, and balsam are all abundant. The ground flora is 

 quite typical and quite "northern." A study of these northern forms 

 is one of the valuable features of the region. Several orchids are 

 found in such situations, together with the interesting insect-catching 

 sundew and pitcher plants. 



"In addition to the three prominent types of vegetation mention 

 may be made of interesting plants along the lake shores : Utricularia, 

 with little bladders catching crustaceans and even small insects, and 

 Decodon, with well-developed air tissue. The river banks furnish 

 their quota of interesting species. The streams, although small, fur- 

 nish a wide variety of conditions from slow, sluggish creeks to a 

 rapid mountain stream in Carp Creek near Cecil Bay. The lakes 

 vary in size from very small ones with no outlet, through Burt Lake, 

 the largest of the inland lakes, to Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. 

 Neither of the latter are within access of regular station activities. 

 Very small, but still typical dunes are within the region. Dune work, 

 however, may be supplemented by a trip to the dunes along Lake 

 Michigan. 



"With such a diversity of conditions, together with the secondary 

 effects introduced by fire, the dynamic activities of the vegetation are 

 great and permit a very adequate presentation of ecological princi- 

 ples." 



Among the problems in plant ecology suggested by the region 

 are : "the development of certain habitats, successional relationships,, 

 correlation of vegetation and evaporation, physiological limitations of 

 habitats and species, growth increments under varying conditions, 

 changes in soil and vegetation due to cutting, burning, draining,, 

 planting, and seeding." 



The region likewise offers a rich field for scientific work with 

 the Cryptogams. Algae abound in the lakes, pools and streams ; 

 lichens, mosses, ferns, and the fern allies may be found in abundance 

 in habitats varying from Sphagnum and Thuya bogs to the dry, 

 sandy aspen associations. Rusts, smuts and other parasitic fungi in- 

 fest a vast variety of hosts, offering an abundance of material for 

 the investigator. The study of the Cryptogams is practically a virgin 

 field at the Station, little work having been done in that line. There 

 is, however, a collection of lichens and mosses for comparative study. 



For the study of animals the region is probably not quite so 

 well adapted as it is for the study of plants. The fauna is not as 

 rich as it is in the southern parts of the state. Mammals are few. 

 There are not many species of amphibians, reptiles or fish, but the 

 number of individuals is sufficient for good collecting. The fish? 

 fauna of the chain of lakes of which Douglas Lake is a part and 

 their tributaries is interesting and well worth study in comparison 



