POND LIFE
99
to the expanse of Connaught Water and the ponds
of Wanstead Park. There are numerous shallow
ponds scattered over the entire area, and there
are besides countless pools of a yard or two in
extent, which are just the localities in which the
pond-hunter delights to revel. It is to the natural
inhabitants of these " still waters " that we venture
to dedicate an additional chapter. When these
several ponds come to be generally recognised by
distinctive names, the localisation of the aquatic
fauna and flora will become more definite and
complete.
Unicellular Algae. The smaller algae, mostly unicellular,
or sometimes more complex, but not truly filamentous
or threadlike, may be alluded to together, although we
can only suggest a few of them. Foremost for size and
beauty is the well-known Volvox which we have collected
at Golding's Hill, and in other places, sometimes in
company with the smaller Gonium pectorale. As the
spheres revolve in the clear water they present one of
the most beautiful objects under a low power of the
microscope. There is no reason why Eudorina elegans
should not be found in similar places, although we have
no record of it nearer than Abridge.
The different species of Pediastrum are represented
by two or three of the largest, which have occurred at
Snaresbrook, and in pools on the Loughton side.
Scarcely less attractive is Apiocystis Brauniana, hitherto
only recorded for Snaresbrook, but possibly not un-
common elsewhere.
There are a great number of very minute species which
cannot be seen at all in the field, even with a pocket
lens, and which will have to be examined at home, after
the day's collecting is done. To provide for this con-
tingency some Sphagnum may be placed, with the water
in which it was growing, in a wide-mouthed bottle, and
probably it will furnish some hours with delightful
employment. In this manner, species of Scenedesmus
may be obtained, or of Raphidium, and possibly some
of the more imposing forms of Polyedrium. Tufts of
some of the filamentous Alga;, especially when rather
old, may be treated in the same manner, and will often
reward the collector with quite a harvest of minute
species, which could not be secured by any other
process.
Desmids. Forest localities for Desmids were given by A.
H. Hassell some fifty-three years ago, and since that
time the improvements in microscopes, and the great
accession to the ranks of observers, have increased the
interest which attaches to Forest localities. Of all
Fresh-water Algae the Desmids are the most attractive
to the ordinary microscopist. Only a few of the largest