38 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
northwest also obtained in New Mexico, and at that time 
the forms of slime-moulds common now in Oregon, were 
to be seen on the Sacramento Mountains. Probably at 
that time the species now found in Iowa ranged also farther 
west, as they do at present farther south. With the drying 
up of the desert, owing to causes that we are beginning to 
know and understand, the species of slime-moulds 
tolerant of the less humid climate, survived, and so where 
the climate of the mountain top resembles that of Iowa 
we have the same myxomycetan flora, although the phe- 
nogamous flora, under the same modifying agencies has fol- 
lowed different lines. The conditions for the higher plants 
are in any case different and the response has been dif- 
ferent accordingly. 
In conclusion, let me say that these most interesting 
organisms are easy of collection. They should be more 
abundantly brought in. August and September are the 
most likely months in which to obtain material suitable 
for study, although on the mountains of New Mexico good 
material may be sought in October and later. The fruit- 
ing follows the rains of August. 
