GULFWEEDS 203 
stalked air bladders which buoy up the plant when 
rooted, and float it when torn free. The short, thickened, 
elongated and clustered axillary branches (receptacles) 
which contain the conceptacles may be dis- 
tinguished easily from the spherical air blad- 
ders. There are many species, one of which 
(Sargassum vulgare) is common along our 
eastern coast as a low-tide plant, half a meter 
to a meter long. Another smaller species ger 32.88: 
(Sargassum bacciferum) floats in considerable ~PGA 
quantities in the so-called “Sargasso Sea”’ of the central 
Atlantic Ocean. Its proper home is in the West Indian 
region, where it grows attached to rocks. 
Laboratory Studies. Probably the best Brown Algae for the 
beginner to take up are Ectocarpus, Laminaria, and Fucus. 
(a) Good material of Ectocarpus for study may be obtained 
of dealers in laboratory supplies. The specimens should be 
examined with reference to the general form and appearance of 
the plant body, and especially for the 1-celled, and the many- 
_ celled sporangia. 
(b) Where fresh material cannot be secured, the Kelps may 
be studied very well from preserved specimens, which can also 
be obtained from dealers in botanical-supplies. 
(c) Study the tissues of Laminaria and other Kelps in cross 
and longitudinal sections. 
(d) Make sections through the fruiting patches and examine 
the sporangia and “paraphyses,” that is, the elongated, 
intervening protective cells. 
(e) It is helpful to have jars of other Kelps, as Sea Palms, 
Bladder Kelps, Giant Kelps, Leafy Kelps, etc., for macroscopic 
observation. 
(f) Secure specimens of Rockweeds, fresh, alcoholic, or dry. 
Fresh ones may easily be found along the beach of the ocean 
after a storm. Alcoholic and dry specimens and even living 
material can easily be procured by purchase or exchange. 
Make thin cross-sections through the conceptacles in the thick- 
ened ends of the branchlets. When mounted in water, even the 
