Abstract
A procedure is outlined for preparing both field collected and laboratory grown desmid populations for scanning electron microscopy which avoids the use of the potentially hazardous chemicals glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide and reduces preparation time substantially. FAA is utilized both in fixation and mucilage removal, and living material can be prepared for critical point drying in as little as 90 min. Limitations of this procedure are outlined briefly and the use of SEM material in systematic studies is commented upon.