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Evanston Dec. 28, 1865

Dr. Lapham,

Dear Sir

You will re-
member that I sent you some small
organisms which met you as you were
leaving home. I think they were unfor-
tunate in the circumstances of ex-
amination. I had been trying to grow
mollusks from them without success
& yesterday I carried them to Dr. Stimp-
son who pronounced them Algae.
I have no doubt he is right from
my own study of them. On this idea
can you tell me where they grow,
or if anybody has studied them.
They come ashore here each year
about the first of Nov. in considerable
abundance. Do they grow in deep wa-
ter or in shallow? Are they com-
mon to all these lakes?

Excuse me for these frequent
notes. I wish to avail myself of what
is known & in what is not known I sup-
pose you have as much interest as myself.

Yours truly

Oliver Marcy