OF SOME OF THE MARINE ALGiE. 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 Algae. 



I have now to record a circumstance referring to the growth of 

 some of the coarser species of Algae, such as the Laminarice 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. 



Eor the last three or four years I have observed in various places 

 on the shore a gradual advance tow^ards low- water mark, of the 

 common Fucus serratus and F. vesiculosus. On the other hand, 

 I have also observed that the Laminarics, 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 Algae, as it was in this space (namely, between 

 the tidal limits) that a great many of the filamentous Algae, 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. 



