OF SOME OF THE MARINE ALGS. 105 
appearance of marine plants are not so uniformly ordered as in the 
instance of those plants that grow upon the land. They will also 
compel us to admit the uncertainties that at present surround our 
limited knowledge of the economy and growth of the marine Alge. 
I have now to record a circumstance referring to the growth of 
some of the coarser species of Algæ, such as the Laminaria and 
Fuci, the result of my own observation, which, if I may be allowed 
to hazard an opinion, may partially account for the disappearance 
of many of the filamentous species from their original habitats. 
For the last three or four years I have observed in various places 
on the shore a gradual advance towards low-water mark, of the 
common Fucus serratus and F. vesiculosus. On the other hand, 
I have also observed that the Laminarie, whose growth is in deep 
water, have been encroaching on the shore, and are now to be 
found in much shallower depths. The growth of these plants from 
two opposite positions towards one common neutral ground has 
had the effect of leaving very little or no intermediate space for 
the growth of other Algæ, as it wasin this space (namely, between 
the tidal limits) that a great many of the filamentous Algz, as well 
as many other species, were usually found growing. To my own 
personal knowledge these facts are comparatively new ; and I am 
not aware that a similar eccentricity of growth has been remarked 
by naturalists in other portions of the English coast. 
I trust, however, the knowledge of these peculiarities will sti- 
mulate the zealous algologist to watch with greater care the 
economy and growth of marine plants; for it is only by a studious 
observation of them, and an industrious exploration of their habitats, 
that we can hope to establish an intimate acquaintance with this 
very interesting branch of natural history. 
In conclusion, the votaries of algology must always, by reason 
of the force of circumstances, be divided into two classes ; for all 
cannot live upon the sea-coast, nor can all pay periodical visits to 
it. To those who can do so may be offered the privilege of con- 
tributing to the species already known, by the discovery of some- 
thing that is new. They will, by this means, not only add to the 
gratification of those who are less happily circumstanced, but will 
confer upon themselves the pleasure of acquiring fresh knowledge 
from a new page in the great volume of Creation. 
