418 Mr. R. Vallentin on the Dispersal of 
LVJ.— Some Remarks on the Dispersal of Marine 
Animals by means of Seaweeds. By RupERT VALLENTIN. 
THANKS to the patient investigations of Berkeley, Darwin, 
Sir Charles Lyell, and others, there are sufficient evidences of 
the dispersion of land-animals over the globe; but in the 
case of marine animals it is different. I have hunted in vain 
through the various publications to which I have had access 
to find records relating to the subject of this communication. 
Early in the summer of last year while surface-netting in 
my boat about three miles south of Falmouth harbour, I 
noticed a large mass of Fucus serratus being swept away to 
sea by the ebbing tide. On further examination I found that 
this weed was suspended vertically in the water, the extremi- 
ties of the fronds being just level with the calm surface of 
the sea. On securing | this mass of weed, I discovered a large 
stone attached to its base which weighed three quarters of a 
pound. Numerous specimens of Hydroids and Polyzoa were 
also noticed attached to the fronds of this seaweed. Since 
then I have paid attention to these floating seaweeds when 
out in my boat, and have recorded my observations in a note- 
book kept for that purpose. 
Attention may here be directed to the fact that the follow- 
ing remarks relate only to our in-shore waters, viz. at a 
distance not exceeding five miles from land, which is the 
farthest I have deemed it prudent to venture in so small a 
craft. Fortunately, however, I was successful in enlisting 
the co-operation of my friend Mr. J. Tucker, who went 
during last August from the Clyde to Norway. He was 
good enough to secure during the voyage specimens of sea- 
weed which were floating in the water or else left stranded on 
the deck by the waves which occasionally swept over it during 
the exceptionally wild weather experienced while crossing the 
North Sea. The weeds thus collected were placed in sea- 
water in his cabin. Unfortunately the steward, not knowing 
for what purpose they had been gathered, threw them over- 
board. 1 was, however, able to discover that specimens of 
Fucus had been collected in abundance floating in the North 
Sea long distances from land. 
We have had during the past summer strong winds from 
the west and south-west; and when these winds have been 
accompanied by-a strong ebb-tide great quantities of Zostera, 
Fucus, Cherda, and other seaweeds are torn from their 
respective habitats and thrown on shore in the nearest cove. 
On many occasions the wind has suddenly changed to the 
