NEREOCYSTIS AND PELAGOPHYCUS 



William Albert Setchell 



Nereocystis Ltieikeana (:Mcrt.) P. & R. is one of the most striking of 

 all the algae of the western coast of North America, yet very varied 

 statements are made concerning its dimensions and duration. This 

 matter has been brought up again recently by Professor T. C. Frye, 

 who in an article in this journal (42:143-146. 1906) states certain 

 facts and suggestions from his observations on this species as it 



occurs in Puget Sound. 



In the first place, Frve doubts that this species ever reaches a 

 length of over 21^, although in no case does he mention that he has 

 made any measurements, and he regards a length of 90°^ as beyond 

 the bounds of credibflity. It is to be regretted that so few authentic 

 measurements are on record for plants of this species, especially for 

 those of the greater lengths. It is difficult, however, to obtain reason- 

 ably perfect plants out of the water and in such a position that they 

 may be measured with accuracy. The statement of 90"^ rests, so far 

 as I know, upon that made by Mertens (Linnaea 4:48. 1S29) that 

 the stipes reach a length of 45 -P"^^^" or fathoms, making in aH 

 something approaching 90^, and that the Aleuts use them for fish- 

 lines, one of which he himseK bought. It seems likely that AIertexs' 

 statement about the length of these lines must have been made with 

 care, as are his statements in general. Of course it may be that there 

 is a misprint here for 15, which, from aU experience, seems likely. 

 RuPRECHT, however, says (Neue oder unbek. Pfl. a. d. nordl. Th. des 

 stillen Oceans, p. 22. 1852) that Nereoc}^tis, in the neighborhood of 

 Bodega, California, reaches a length of 25 English feet, but that accord- 

 ing to trustworthy natives in the employ of the N. A. Company at 

 Fort Ross, it reaches a length ten times greater in the nei^borhood 

 of Sitka and the Aleutian Islands. This would correspond with 

 Mertens' figures. This impressed RrPRECHX 10 such an extent 

 that he suggested (/. c. 22) that the southern smaHer plant m^t 

 belong to a different species. I have had an opportunity of obsenmg 

 this species at different localities of its growth from Kadiak Island on 



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