Marine Flanti on the N. E, United States. 21 



in much profusion. I also collected, and figured in my note 

 book, fifty one species of the larger fungi, some of them very 

 beautiful and curious. The chief field of my researches was, 

 however, in the department of marine plants. These were speci- 

 ally interesting to me as I had not before had sufiScient opportu- 

 nity of personally examining their peculiar habits and growth in 

 the United States. I first sought out the best localities in which 

 to collect good specimens ; afterwards I made a collection of all 

 the plants that could be found at this season of the year. I was 

 somewhat disappointed at the limited number of species which 

 the coast afforded, and believe that, from some cause or other, 

 there was a short crop that season of many of the more delicate 

 and beautiful forms. The Fuci were, however, in great perfec- 

 tion, and astonishing profusion. The rocks were everywhere 

 clothed with their dark and mottled drapery, and on the shores 

 of every little bay they lay in dense aud matted beds, in which 

 were mingled such other species of Algae, and of animals, as in- 

 habit the rocks of the sea coast. 



It occurred to me that it would be a pleasant and an interest- 

 ing occupation to note the lines or zones upon the rocks and 

 shores at which the various plants found a special home, and 

 the limits to which they were accustomed to travel. A very cur- 

 sory survey convinced me that each plant had its favorite shore 

 region within which it grew to perfection, and beyond which it 

 either ceased to grow, or became dwarfed in its form. I was 

 aware that all the Hand Books on the Algce had noted the special 

 localities of each species, whether it grew at high or low water 

 mark, at half tide or in deep water ; but T was not aware that in 

 any of the books, shore lines and limits of plant growth had been 

 made the subject of special treatment. This subject may be re- 

 garded as a minor branch of the important enquiry as to the 

 geographical distribution of plants. It is akin to the phenomena 

 of the vertical distribution of land plants, on the slopes and peaks 

 of mountains. Perhaps, something interesting may come of the 

 observations which leisure and opportunity permitted me to make 

 at Peak's Island. I am far from thinking that my knowledge of 

 the subject is yet so complete as to entitle me to speak with any 

 degree of confidence upon it. All scientific observers know that 

 a first survey of any subject is almost necessarily imperfect in its 

 details, and that these can only be fully worked out by repeated 

 examinations under every variety of circumstance. A beginning 



