Some bog denizens

Abstract

Tucked away in the bogs and swamps of Wisconsin, and in similar habitats throughout the world, thrive a myriad of unicellular plants known as Desmids. They are among the most aesthetic of all microorganisms and vie with the glassywalled Diatoms as "Jewel Plants." If it were not for the inquisitive biologist and the students of the microscopic cosmos, Desmids well might exist unnoticed. For although they have highly intriguing biological features they play no role in water spoilage problems, nor are they important in the food cycle of aquatic animals. Hence they do not attract attention nor invite the condemnations that are directed toward some other groups of algae such as the blue-greens.