[May, 1863.] 513 



SEAWEEDS FOUND AT BRIGHTON. 



List of Marine Algm found at Brighton and in the Vicinity, with 

 Obser'vations on a few of the most remarkable Plants. By 

 Mrs. Merrifield. 



The two principal features of the seacoast at Brighton are its 

 extreme shallowness and the absence of freshwater streams ; 

 each of these conditions has its influence on the marine botany 

 of the district. 



Such is the shallowness of the coast, that at the distance of 

 three miles there are only six fathoms water ; at six miles there 

 are eleven or twelve fathoms, while off* Worthing, to the west of 

 Brighton, there are only nine or ten fathoms. Extensive beds 

 of seaweeds exist between Shoreham and Worthing, in from 

 three to four fathoms water, and also south of Worthing, four or 

 five miles from shore; the adjacent soundings being five fathoms. 

 Along the shore lie, at various distances, groups of rocks covered 

 with Algae, whose position can be recognized in calm, clear 

 weather, at extreme low water, by the purple hue which they 

 (apparently) communicate to the water above them. Algologists 

 will understand that this shallowness of the coast prevents (ex- 

 cept to the dredger) access to the rocks on which many of the 

 finer seaweeds grow. For the supply of these we are, therefore, 

 indebted to the tidal influence, and are obliged to be contented 

 with such as are washed ashore; the condition of such waifs 

 being of course dependent on the length of time they have been 

 exposed to the influence of sun and air. 



Immediately adjoining the beach of Brighton are low, flat 

 rocks, on which grow Enteromorpha intestinalis and E. com- 

 pressa, Ulvce, PoyyhyrcE, and Cladophorcs, Polysiphonia nigres- 

 cens, P. atro-rubescens, Ceramium rubrum, Rhodynienia pahnata, 

 Scinaia furcellata, Bryopsis plumosa, Taonia atomaria, Chorda 

 filum, C. lomentaria, and Laminaria Phyllitis. At Black Rock, 

 on the eastward of Brighton, the water deepens, and in addition 

 to the above-mentioned plants may be gathered Griffithsia setacea, 

 Gracilaria confervoides , Ceramium Deslongchampsii, Gymnogon- 

 grus Norvegicus, G. Griffithsice, Ahnfeldtia plicata, Cladostephus 

 spongiosus, Gelidium corneum var. crinale and var. clavatum, Spha-* 



N. S. VOL. VI. 3 u 



