THE MARINE ALGJ3 OF NEW ENGLAND. 9 



and 30 fathoms, and at a greater depth than 50 fathoms almost nothing 

 is found. The oyster-beds of the coast should be carefully searched for 

 Cutleriece and other sea- weeds found in similar localities iu Europe. Fi- 

 nally, a thorough exploration of the tidal rivers and sheltered coves of 

 the eastern coast of New England is much to be desired, in order that 

 we may know to what extent the southern forms extend northward 

 when they find sufficiently warm water and a suitable place of growth. 



From an economical point of view, but little need be said with regard 

 to our sea- weeds as an article of food. Chondrus crispus, the Irish moss, 

 as it is called in this country, is the only species of any commercial value. 

 It is collected in considerable quantities at several localities, but espe- 

 cially at Hingham, Mass. It is used for making sea- moss farine, and is 

 also employed to some extent by brewers for clarifying beer. As yet the 

 use of Porphyra vulgaris, thelaver, one of the common species for making 

 soups, has not been introduced. The Chinese employed in the shoe fac- 

 tories at North Adams, Mass., import the same species from China, not 

 apparently knowing that they could obtain an abundance of it in Mas- 

 sachusetts. The dulse, Bhodymenia palmata, is sold to some extent in the 

 seaport towns, especially in Boston, where it is eaten principally by 

 sailors and the Irish population. It is generally imported from the Brit- 

 ish provinces, but it could be obtained in abundance anywhere north of 

 Boston, or even in some places in Long Island Sound. The great use of our 

 sea-weeds is for the purpose of making fertilizers, and immense quanti- 

 ties are carted from the beaches and spread over the land near the shore. 

 Usage, however, varies at different localities, for at Eastport the larger 

 sea- weeds, which are practically the same species that are highly esteemed 

 in New. Hampshire and Massachusetts, are considered of little value in 

 comparison with animal manure. As far as I know, there are no manu- 

 factories of iodine or soda salts on our coast, although our species greatly 

 resemble those used in Scotland for the purpose. The stem of the 

 devil's aprons, Laminaricc, are used by surgical-instrument makers in 

 the manufacture of sponge-tents. 



Bespectfully submitted. 



W. G. FARLOW. 



Cambridge, January 1, 1880. 



STRUCTUBE AND CLASSIFICATION OF SEA- WEEDS. 



With a very few exceptions, all the plants of our coast which may be 

 said really to grow in the water belong to the division of the vegetable 

 kingdom known as the Cryptogams, or plants having no true flowers or 

 seeds. Only two species of flowering plants are commonly found sub- 

 merged in salt water, viz, Zortera marina, the salt-water eel-grass, and 

 Ruppia maritima. The former is familiar to every one who has ever 

 been to the shore, and is sometimes washed ashore in immense quanti- 



