t BY THE SEASIDE— PLANT LIFE 



^■f now we take almost any brown or red seaweed, 

 we cannot see a trace of chlorophyll anywhere. 

 Let us leave our specimen, however, in fresh water 

 for a few days when we shall find that the brown 

 or red colouring matter as the case may be, is dis- 

 solved by the water and a green plant remains. 

 By treating the seaweed, deprived of its distinctive 

 colour, with methylated spirit as described above, 

 we can obtain a solution of chlorophyll. 



The microscopist who is anxious to make a study 

 of seaweeds, will find little scope for his hobby on 

 a sandy shore. Just as the most interesting marine 

 animals are to be found where rocks abound, so 

 must we hunt in similar situations for our Algae, 

 A few thread like Algse are able to anchor them- 

 selves to the sand but most of them require a sub- 

 stantial support. A bare rock is a much favoured 

 situation and before we have learned the peculiari- 

 ties of these plants we may marvel how they obtain 

 any sustenance from so barren a resting place. As 

 a matter of fact they derive no nourishment from 

 the rocks on which they rest. The part of the sea 

 weed which, in our ignorance, we may have dubbed 

 a root, is nothing of the kind. It bears no relation- 

 ship to the roots of higher plants and is a 

 mere anchor, designed to fasten its owner to 

 a support. 



None of these plants have roots, none have true 

 stems or leaves, though the parts resembling stems 

 and leaves are often so called; none of them flower 

 and so fruits and seeds are unknown to them. Their 



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