xiv.j ALGJE. 203 



plant. In an allied species, Fucus nodosus or Knotted 

 Wrack, of which we give an illustration (fig-. 151), the 

 bladders look as though strung on a line. This 

 species attains the length of six feet. In Halidrys 

 siliquosa the bladders very strongly resemble the 

 seed-pods of the furze. To this group also belong 

 the long, broad, olive fronds with crisped edges so 

 frequently brought from the seaside to act as an 

 indicator of the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. 

 Its name is Laininaria saccharina, and, like its allies, 

 L. digitata and L. bulbosa, it grows to an immense 

 size. These plants annually lose the outer coating 

 or lamina of their fronds, which falls off, revealing a 

 new frond which has been formed within. They are 

 most plentiful in the north. Another species re- 

 sembles a gigantic leather bootlace, from twenty to 

 forty feet in length. This is the Chorda filum, or 

 Sea-lace. The frond is hollow and slimy, and when 

 growing in the quiet waters of land-locked bays, 

 attains its greatest dimensions. In the Carreg 

 Roads, off Falmouth, we have seen great areas of 

 water occupied by this species, which sometimes 

 obstructs to some extent the passage of boats. It is 

 said seriously to endanger the life of the unfortunate 

 swimmer who happens to pass through a bed of these 

 tenacious laces, by clinging to his limbs and entang- 

 ling him in a network from which there is no escape. 

 In the genus Lessonia the species form submarine 

 forests, the stems attaining the diameter of a couple 

 of feet. The dead stems when thrown ashore are 

 often mistaken for driftwood. They are said to be 

 used with great success as the handles for knives and 



