FAUNA AND FLORA. 43 



The growth of this seaweed is very rapid. In April there will 

 only be seen a few ragged stems — probably the remains of the 

 last season's growth — reaching the surface of the water; but by 

 the beginning of Jul}^ or earlier, vast fields will have made their 

 appearance everywhere about the coasts, and the growth is so 

 abundant that, unless the current be running with sufficient force 

 to stretch out the stems and partly take them below the surface, a 

 boat can scarcely get through. In July this kelp appears to have 

 attained its full growth. By the end of August much of it has 

 been broken or rotted off, and large quantities get drifted out to 

 sea or thrown up on the beaches. 



These kelp beds are the favourite resort of the sea-otter when 

 undisturbed. Here he can find abundant food and life, and sleep 

 in comfort in the worst of weather, for the sea will not " break " 

 on the kelp patches. 



Other species of Melanospermw are also abundant, such as 

 Fucus vesieulosus, Alaria eseulenta, Chordaria fiagelliformis, and 

 MacJiista fucicola, Thalassiophyllum clothrus, etc. 



Rhodosperm^. — Melohesia polymorpha, Melohesia lichenoides, 

 Peysonnellia, etc. 



CuLOROSPERMiE. — Clcidophora uncialis, Ulva latissima, etc. 



Although there is an abundant supply on the Kurils of the 

 same kind of seaweed (Laminaria saccharina) that is gathered 

 on the coasts of Yezo and Saghalin, principally for shipment to 

 China, it has not yet received any attention. 



