ALG.E 119 



and often bearing air-bladders to assist in floating (Fig. 



111). The most complex body is that of the gulf weed 



(Sargassum), in which there 

 are slender branching sterna 



FIG. 110. A sea-palm. After Ru- Fio. 111. Fragment of Fucut, showing 



PRECHT. forked branching, reproductive tips, 



and air-bladders. After LUERSSEN. 



bearing numerous leaves like ordinary foliage, and stalked 

 air-bladders that resemble berries (Fig. 112). The gulf- 

 weeds occur in warmer waters than do the other large forms, 

 and are often torn from their anchorage and carried away 

 from the coast by currents, collecting in the great sea eddies 

 produced by oceanic currents and forming the so-called 

 Sargasso seas. Some of the gulfweeds forming these masses 



9 



