Dostets ta ie 
in wonderful profusion. No attempt short of an 
exhaustive treatise can give an adequate idea of 
the multiplicity of types and the richness of the 
algal flora of the west coast of Vancouver Island. 
2, Hel grass formation: 
This formation as known along the shores of 
Vancouver Island is built up to a large extent 
of so-called eel grass or Phyllospadix scoulert. 
It occurs in great abundance over the jagged 
sandstone rocks exposed only at low tide, and in 
most of the numerous tide pools along the shore. 
Mixed with various species of algae it forms in 
some places a distinct zone covering the rocks 
(Plate I.). The zone varies in width with the 
slant of the shore, for in no case is the plant 
found in very deep,water. Where it oceurs in 
tide pools, it is found mostly in a fringe along 
the edge and the long blades float upon the 
water in such manner and quantities as to com- 
pletely obscure the surface. The wanderer upon 
the beach at low tide must pick his way with 
care, for it is extremely difficult to tell whether 
the eel grass hes upon a flat rock surface or is 
spread out over some deep tide pool. In such 
