XIV 



marine algal forms, perhaps better studied than any other of our cryp- 

 togamic plants has been made a special topic for discussion by Dr. W. 

 G. Farlow, in his Piesidental address before the Society of Plant Mor- 

 phologists, held in December, 1898, at Columbia University. 



The bacterial flora is absolutely unknown. Beyond the well recog- 

 nized forms characteristic of certain diseased conditions in man and 

 other animals our knowledge is limited. Some few investigations of 

 the writer on the bacteria of the air of Brooklyn and the bacteria of 

 the Brooklyn and Flushing water supplies yielded a number of forms 

 which are not here listed because of the general lack of criteria for 

 specific determinations, which lack is now fortunately being remedied 

 by such workers as Chester, Dyar, Fuller and others, who are investi- 

 gating the bacteria flora of the water supplies. Twenty -seven species 

 alone are Hsted, but it may be recorded that at least three times that 

 number have been isolated but not positively identified. The Phy- 

 comycetes are listed with only six species, probably a very meagre 

 representation of this extensive group. The like pertains to the 

 fifty-four species grouped with the Ascomycetes, 34 Hyphomycetes, or 

 Fungi Imperfecti. The Basidioraycetes, by reason of their conspicu- 

 ousness, contribute the greatest number to the list, there being some 

 136 species. There are eleven representatives of the Gasteromycetes. 

 General remarks on the fungus flora are out of place by reason of the 

 desultory character of the observations and the few workers. The 

 lichens of the eastern end of the island were more carefully studied 

 by the writer. No other workers in the same field have contributed 

 to the literature, but collections by earlier observers were placed 

 at my disposal, and it is with special pleasure that I am able to put on 

 record in these higher cryptogamic groups the names of some of the 

 earlier enthusiastic botanists of the old school. It has always been a 

 matter of personal regret that I never knew them. Fifty-four species 

 are here listed. The Bryophytes have received more attention. A 

 list of twenty -seven Hepaticae in this restricted area is of interest. 

 Howe is the only investigator who has thus far made any contribution 

 to the study of these plants in the particular field. In the mosses 109 

 species are listed most of which has been collected by Miss M. L. 

 Saniel. 



In conclusion of this special feature, it may be hoped that this list 

 will serve as a beginning for a number of the workers who are just 

 now entering upon the study of the cryptogamic forms of the island. 



The Pteridophytes are represented by forty *one forms, and fourteen 

 Gymnosperms are listed. Three hundred and twenty-two Monocoty- 



