Editing Diatom (section)

===Sources for collection===
{{Further|topic=the genus of filamentous diatoms|Oscillaria}}
Diatoms can be obtained from multiple sources.<ref name="Chamberlain 1901">Chamberlain, C. J. (1901) ''Methods in Plant Histology'', University of Chicago Press.</ref> Marine diatoms can be collected by direct water sampling, and benthic forms can be secured by scraping [[barnacle]]s, [[oyster]] and other shells. Diatoms are frequently present as a brown, slippery coating on submerged stones and sticks, and may be seen to "stream" with river current. The surface mud of a pond, ditch, or lagoon will almost always yield some diatoms. Living diatoms are often found clinging in great numbers to filamentous algae, or forming gelatinous masses on various submerged plants. ''[[Cladophora]]'' is frequently covered with ''[[Cocconeis]]'', an elliptically shaped diatom; ''[[Vaucheria]]'' is often covered with small forms. Since diatoms form an important part of the food of [[mollusc]]s, [[tunicate]]s, and [[fish]]es, the [[alimentary tract]]s of these animals often yield forms that are not easily secured in other ways. Diatoms can be made to emerge by filling a jar with water and mud, wrapping it in black paper and letting direct sunlight fall on the surface of the water. Within a day, the diatoms will come to the top in a scum and can be isolated.<ref name="Chamberlain 1901" />