Observations on Desmidiaceae, with a list of species found in Tasmania

These beautiful plants are of an herbaceous green color, and belong to the Cryptogamic division of the vegetable kingdom. They have attracted attention not only on account of the striking beauty and variety of their forms, but also by reason of the doubt as to their position, whether in the animal or vegetable kingdom, having caused considerable discussion amongst learned algologists. They are now almost universally assigned to the vegetable kingdom. The presence of starch in the ludochrome, and their mode of conjugating, constitute incontestable proofs of their vegetable organisation, notwithstanding the arguments of Professors Ehrenberg, Dalrymple, and Bailey to the contrary. Included is the list of Tasmanian Desmidieae. The gatherings have been made mostly from pools which are dug up during the summer. As they are plants whose favorite haunt is the open moor, and are taken in greatest numbers from perennial ponds