THE THREE MONTH POND 
     
     by Kathy Martin, Dept. of BioTogy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Temporary ponds form anywhere the water does not drain away quickTy or 
     
     compTeteTy. ShaTTow depressions in pastures, cuitivated fieids or woodTands 
     
     fi11_with water every year during spring thaw. The IsTand is dotted with these 
     
     ponds, aTT highTy variabie in size, situation and Tongevity. For awhiTe they 
     
     sparkTe in the sunshine, and are repienished by spring showers and Tate snow 
     
     storms. By eariy summer they are gone. Few humans give these ponds a second 
     
     thought, except maybe the smaTT chde who regrets Tosing the opportunity to 
     
     stomp through them in rubber boots or the farmer who undoubtedTy breathes a 
     
     sigh of reTief when at Tast_he can cultivate_that pieqe of Tand. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
        
     
       
     
           
     
         
     
    
   
   
    
        
     
       
     
       
     
       
     
    
   
   
    
         
     
       
     
    
   
   
    
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