26 
Annual Reports of Academy of 
uriance. In bright sunlight, or often in reflected lights, the tints 
are most brilliant and rich. Sometimes these so-called algal mats 
may extend the whole length of the pond. Often times the lagoons 
or lakes will appear perfectly clear or even with brilliant reflections 
in their muddy waters on bright days. In the early morning or 
late evening the effects of light and shadow often add still greater 
contrasts. Should the wind suddenly ruffle the surface the algal 
mat disappears as if by magic. 
The tributary streams in the Tenessee valley of this section are 
Paint Rock Creek, Alabama. 
interesting on account of the richness of the fish-fauna in their 
lowland reaches. In Limestone Creek we secured no less than 
twenty-three species in about an hour. This stream flows through 
many woodlands or brushy places, and in one locality we found 
small muddy pools left from the time of high water or floods, 
completely stocked with quantities of small fish, but it was only 
after dragging a net across one that we were aware of any life 
beneath the brown water. About the swamps and woodland were 
many large magnolias, often with great swollen roots and trunk 
bases. Here and there were mocking birds, cardinals, small 
flocks of doves and an occasional red-shouldered hawk. 
The most interesting of the Tennessee tributaries was Paint 
Rock Creek, further up in the foothills. At the village of the same 
name this stream furnished power for an old and picturesque mill. 
