KANSAS UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN. 



borhood of Friday Harbor, on the east coast of San Juan 

 Island. In the accompanying sketch map the location of most 

 of the observations made is approximately indicated, the 

 crosses showing roughly the location and density of the kelp 

 beds. 



FnJ-J H«'t 



«.n«e St.1,°n 



San Juan lilaicl 



Since the tide currents play an important role in the dis- 

 tribution and health of Nereocystis, sl brief description of 

 their location and strength in the neighborhood is in place. 

 The incoming tide sweeps through the narrowed channels on 

 either side of Turn Rock with great velocity, so much so that 

 landings can be made there at the turn of the tide only. A 

 branch of this current, much weakened, sweeps in south of 

 Turn Island and around the west side. This results in the 

 north side of the island being sheltered. The current going 

 north to Shaw Point is not strong toward the shore, but at 

 that point the two currents unite and sweep around it with 

 considerable velocity. The bay between Shaw Point and Min- 

 nesota Point is sheltered. Near the latter cape the current 

 usually divides, one branch continuing on through South Pass 

 into Friday Harbor Bay, the other and far the stronger turn- 

 ing north along the east side of Brown Island. The former 

 sweeps around through the bay and out of North Pass to 

 join the latter at Point Caution, where they form a stiff cur- 

 rent that hugs the shore closely for some distance to the north. 

 With the ebb tide the directions of the currents are reversed. 



