156 



ANIMALS OF LAND AND SEA 



The numbers of these Httle plants can only be imagined, 

 not really appreciated. It has been calculated that in the 

 water of Kiel Bay there are 6,336,000 diatoms alone per quart. 

 If there are 6,336,000 diatoms in a quart of water, how many 

 would there be in an area of the ocean the size of the state 



Figs. 420-444. Leaf -hoppers, and various true bugs. 

 For explanations of tlie figures see p. xxiv. 



of Rhode Island, that is 1,250 square miles, down to a depth 

 of 650 feet, the depth to which at least they may be assumed 

 to live? 



Of course many regions are much poorer in diatoms than 

 Kiel Bay, while many are richer; in the Arctic and in the 

 Antarctic they may be so abundant at times as to color the 

 water for miles and to give it a slight, but noticeably ''smooth" 

 feeling. 



