Laguna Ratine Laboratory 



203 



equal in size the great bladder-kelp of northern waters, Nereocystis 

 lutkeana. 



Macrocystis pyrifera (Turner) Agardh 



(Figure 111) 



Enormously abundant in about six fathoms of water. This is the 

 common kelp forming the great off-shore beds along the Southern 

 California coast. It becomes above fifty feet in length at Laguna 

 Beach. Immense quantities of it wash up on the beach. Investiga- 

 tions are being carried on elsewhere to determine its value as a 

 fertilizer. 



B 



Figure 117. Polysiphonia verticillata Harv, 



Egregia laevigata Setchell 



(Figure 112) 



Abundant near the low tide mark. Length very variable but often 

 reaching over twelve feet. Commonly found in company with 

 Else ilia arborea, and very variable in the form of the fronds. 



FUCACEAE 

 Hesperophycus harveyanus (Decaisne) Gardner 



(Fucus Harveyanus Decaisne) 



Common on the rocks of the high tidal zone, growing most com- 

 monly along the lower limits of the zone of Pclrctia f 



