TOR ABBBT ROC 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE ROCKY SEA-SHORE j SEA-WEEDS. 



THE success of a marine-botanist, or Algologist, on a 

 rocky coast will depend more on the extent of surface 

 uncovered at low-water-mark, and on the outward con- 

 formation of the rocks of which the tidal margin is com- 

 posed, than on the geological structure of the district. 

 Soil in some measure affects the vegetation of the sea, 

 but not to any great extent. The roots of sea-plants 

 bear little resemblance to those of land-plants. Few 

 are fibrous, and few indeed send out extensive bundles 

 of fibres to seek through a varying soil the substances 

 necessary for their perfect growth. The roots of sea- 

 weeds must be regarded more in the nature of holdfasts, 

 destined to keep the vegetable fixed in a proper locality, 



