THE COLDER TEMPERATE ZONE. 87 



for knife-handles; the haft of the instrument is plunged 

 into a rudely-shaped piece of this weed, which contracts 

 into a substance harder than horn." 



The other species of Lessonia (L. ovata) of which a de- 

 scription is given, grows very abundantly near Hermite 

 Island, Cape Horn, and the Falkland Islands : " It has 

 good claims to be considered a distinct species ; but is so 

 like the last, that it is thought not impossible that it may 

 be L.fuscescens in an immature state." 



As regards the last of the three Algse which are the 

 wonder of these regions, the Macrocystis pyri/era, Dr. 

 Hooker took advantage of opportunities which a long so- 

 journ in the Southern Hemisphere afforded of studying it 

 under the variety of appearances it assumes ; and the result 

 is, that he brings together under one, ten species which 

 have been described by five different authors, and thinks 

 they may be all safely referred to Macrocystis pyrifera. 

 11 Nor can these variations excite surprise, when it is con- 

 sidered that this gigantic weed is subject to every vicissi- 

 tude of climate, of temperature, and exposure : that it 

 literally ranges from the Antarctic to the Arctic Circle, 

 through 120 degrees of latitude; that it lives and flourishes, 

 whether floating or attached, growing in bays, harbours, or 



