This book describes freshwater phytoplankton species, specifically desmids, vividly illustrated by about 250 good quality photographs (plates) and 226-line drawings, accompanied by detailed descriptions or systematic accounts. It is a dependable text in desmids identification and taxonomy, providing keys and up to date account of a sizeable flora of Nigerian algae. It contains up-to-date chapters on phytoplankton, algal culture techniques, classification of algae, uses and application of algae. The book provides an important contribution to the study of Nigerian, and indeed African and tropical algae. It will serve both as a text and a major reference material. (Plant Biology)