BROWN SEAWEEDS OF THE SALT MARSH. 27 
Qt 
f 
V 
Ох THE BROWN SEAWEEDs OF THE SALT Marsa. By АКАН M. BAKER, 
B.Sc., University College, London. (Communicated by Prof. Е. W. 
Отлукв, F.R.S., F.L.8.) 
(PLATES 8 & 9 and 8 Text-figures.) 
[Read 6th April, 1911. ] 
THE importance of certain Algze, such as, e. g., Rhizoclonium *, in relation to 
the colonisation of tidal flats by higher plants and the establishment оЁ salt 
marshes has long been recognised. In the present paper an account is given 
of certain Fucoide which, in some respects, appear to function in a similar 
manner. 
The two а]р to be described were found originally in Sept. 1907 by 
Prof. F. W. Oliver on the salt marshes adjoining the experimental station at 
Blakeney Point, Norfolk. 
The locality in question consists essentially of a system of shingle-banks 
and sand-dunes, which form a peninsula, westwardly directed, several miles 
in length, ending at Blakeney Point. Under the protection of these banks 
and dunes, on the southerly side, a series of salt marshes or saltings have 
established themselves. The sketch-map (text-fig. 1) shows part of the area. 
It is on the marshes just within the actual point that our alge form so con- 
| spicuous a feature, where, mingled with the halophytes, they stretch over an 
area of some 60 to 70 acres. 
The general character of the habitat is shown in РІ. 8. fig. 1. Оп the 
right are the dunes, ending at Blakeney Point, not far from the flagstaff seen 
on the skyline. In the centre of the figure, contained between two shingle- 
banks (shown at the left-hand side of the sketch-map, text-fig. 1) dotted 
over with shrubs of Suæda fruticosa, is the level sward, largely composed of 
Salicornia europea. It is on the ground between the stems of the halo- 
phytes that the alge occur; in this particular stretch of marsh mainly the 
free-growing Pelvetia (cf. Pl. 8. fig. 2). In parts not shown in the photo- 
graph the forms of Fucus abound, but the general character of the ground is 
essentially similar. 
The vegetation covering the marsh was, on the whole, very uniform. 
The higher parts were occupied by Salicornia europea, in close formation, 
with Sueda maritima and Aster plants occasionally. The borders of the 
marsh, somewhat higher ground, were occupied by an association in which 
Obione portulacoides predominated, and stray members of this association 
were also found on the actual marsh. The Salicornia association gradually 
ж N. Wille, ‘Studien über Chlorophyceen I.-VII., Christiania, 1901, p. 37. 
