Of Ocean-weeds 



ferior to that of seeds. All spore-growing plants, 

 whether on land or in the sea, take a lower rank 

 than seed-growing plants. 



A still lower and humbler method has been 

 earlier described that of simply dividing into half. 



There is yet another way by which ocean- 

 weeds increase, and it reminds one curiously of 

 the gardener's plan of growth by cuttings. 



In rough weather, on shallow reaches not far 

 from land, the waves tear quantities of sea-weed 

 fronds from their moorings, and carry them to 

 shore or to rocky parts, where they become 

 entangled, and are held fast. 



There, if later waves do not again dislodge 

 them, and if other circumstances are favourable, 

 the wandering fronds settle down, attach them- 

 selves, and become fresh plants. So in this case 

 the waves act as gardeners, and make cuttings 

 of ocean-plants. 



While plant-life in the ocean is plentiful in 

 amount and abundant in variety, it is confined 

 within limits. By far the greater part of Sea- 

 weed existence is contained in the Hundred- 

 fathom limit that is, within six hundred feet of 

 the surface. Not many kinds, indeed, can grow 

 in anything like as much depth as five or six 

 hundred feet. 



M 161 



