xlii INTRODUCTION. 



common Fuci and Laminarite, a hasty observer might 

 assume that in the British seas the olive series predomi- 

 nates, and such is undoubtedly the case, if we look to in- 

 dividuals and not species. But he will be surprised to 

 find on examination that our sub-marine meadows are com- 

 posed, in the main, of not more than ten species of this 

 race; while the 300 or 400 others of which the marine 

 Flora consists, are scattered like weeds, and often occur in 

 such small quantities as to escape the notice of any but a 

 botanist. When we speak therefore of different types 

 characterizing different latitudes, we mean merely variety 

 of form, not abundance of production. If we exclude 

 fresh-water species, we shall find that on our coasts the 

 olive series amount to f , the red to 4, and the green to 

 nearly $ of the whole. Of the olive group only | (or ^ T of 

 our whole marine Algae) belongs to Fucacetf, and scarcely -^ 

 (or -^ of the whole) to Laminariacece. 



Thus we perceive that the Creator, while He has scat- 

 tered the Algae through the waters of every climate of the 

 globe, has assigned to each country the peculiar kinds best 

 suited to the circumstances under which they are developed ; 

 and it would be absurd to suppose that so much bounty 

 and foresight had been wantonly squandered upon objects 

 from which no direct benefit to His other works was to 

 reciprocate. To preserve a harmony through creation, by 

 giving to the depths of the sea a vegetable clothing, as 

 beautiful and varied, yet as linked together, as that of the 

 land, and thus to illustrate His own infinity and indivisi- 

 bility by works, endless in diversity yet one in plan, may 

 seem, to many minds, a sufficient motive, were there no 

 other, for the exercise of an unlimited creative power ; but 

 it will not account for that nice discrimination and foresight 

 with which He has regulated the supply of different kinds 

 to different circumstances. We must therefore look further, 



