1 72 SEAWEEDS. 



(Melanosperms) of every marked family ; Eed weeds 

 (Rhodosperms) in abundance ; and Green weeds (Chloro- 

 sperms) in plenty. We had seen them in their homes, 

 gazing with glad admiration into many a fairy conserva- 

 tory blooming in a tide pool, or peering into the forest- 

 depths of ocean from a boat ; or we had waited amid 

 roar and spray for the crested waves to land their 

 merchandise, and seized the dripping treasures as they 

 were thrown upon the shore. Often did we ask with 

 the poet — 



" Is there a quiet world that lies beneath 

 The might of waters, sounding, moving ever, 

 Or rough with storms, or thundering on the shore 

 With deafening clampur '? Yes, a quiet world 

 Doth lie beneath, with groves, and vales, and streams, 

 And living ^creatures, each with haunt and home, 

 As best befit it." 



But we must not overlook that seaweeds have a past 

 history, a record graven in the rocks. In the oldest 

 system of fossiliferous rocks, the Silurian, black marks of 

 seaweeds are found ; and more distinct traces of an Algae 

 allied to the Sea "Whipcord, not a dangerous weed in those 

 days, when all breathing creatures had their home in the 

 waters. The Carrageen and the Fuci had also their re- 

 presentatives in those ancient seas ; so that Algae can 

 trace back their family lineage further even than the 

 Ferns and | their allies. 



" The earth is full of God's goodness," this we heartily 

 assent to, because we see it with our eyes, and have 

 daily experience thereof. But though less patent to our 

 ken, yet just as surely, " So is this great and wide sea, 



