OF THE FILAMENTOUS ALGA]. 
65 
Those species which inhabit stagnant water throw out 
numerous filaments, which becoming more or less en 
tangled and interwoven, cling together in cottony tufts. 
The generality of these, when quite young (Spirogyra, 
for instance) form a thick layer at the bottom of the water, 
or at any rate float at some depth below the surface. At 
a later season, however, when the plant is preparing for 
fructification, or when, in consequence of its active vege- 
tative powers, a large amount of oxygen is generated, then 
the plant rises to the top of the water, and covers a wide 
space with its outspread filaments. 
To collect these species, the only instrument necessary 
is the toothed ladle, attached to a walking-stick. By means 
of this any quantity of the weed may be fished out, by 
simply moving the stick from right to left, the filaments 
catching in the teeth of the ladle and being retained there. 
When the Alga lies near the bank, it can, of course, 
be gathered with the hand. If, on the contrary, its 
masses float a long distance off, too far to be reached by 
the stick, another plan must be resorted to. This simply 
consists in removing the wooden handle and then tying 
the ladle to a piece of string of sufficient length. The 
ladle may now be thrown among the weeds, and on being 
drawn in some of them are almost sure to be clinging to 
it. The plan may not be successful at first, but I have 
invariably found that perseverance will bring success. 
Even at long distances and in deep waters I have rarely 
been disappointed of the coveted treasures. 
Let the water drain off before the specimen is put away 
in oilskin, and the draining may be aided by a gentle 
pressure of the hand; but the collector must be careful 
not to squeeze it too hard, for if he does he will lose what 
Diatomaceae may be entangled in it ; and, besides, the Alga 
itself soon dies and corrupts when robbed of its natural 
element. 
A pleasing contrast to these entangled masses are the 
graceful feathery plumes which distinguish the species 
F 
