474 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [DECEMBER 
fertilizer. A few incidental observations were made on kelps along 
the British Columbian coast and in southern Alaska on the way 
through that territory in May. Stops were made at Dixon Harbor, 
just north of Cape Spencer, and at Yakutat. No stop was made 
from Yakutat to Prince William Sound, but from this sound to 
the Shumagin Islands (including Cook Inlet and Kodiak Island) a 
reconnoissance survey was made. A careful examination of the 
coast was made at all points where conditions of weather and 
tides would permit. 
The work of CRANDALL covers the coast from Cedros Island, 
Mexico, to Cape Flattery, Washington. It was done by him as 
biologist at the Scripps Institution for Biological Research and under 
appointments of the United States Bureau of Soils in 1911, 1912, and 
1913 to investigate the kelps of the region as a source of potash 
fertilizer. 
The maximum size of kelps on the Pacific coast of North 
America has been a matter of interest ever since the beginning of 
botanical investigation in the region. Naturally a careful watch 
for large kelps was kept on these expeditions and frequent soundings 
in kelp beds were made. No specimens of Nereocystis or Macro- 
cystis were found that at all approached in length the figures given 
for these species by the earlier writers. The figures that had been 
reported for the length of Alaria fistulosa were, however, practically 
corroborated, and the width of that species was found to be much 
greater than had been reported. 
Macrocystis 
Macrocystis pyrifera has been reported (without locality) 
by KjyELLMAN (7) to reach a length of 200-300m. It has been 
reported by Firzroy (3) that it grew about the Falkland Islands 
in 30 fathoms of water, and by Caprarn Cook (1) that it grew at 
Kerguelen Island in 24 fathoms of water and that he feels warranted 
in saying that it reaches a length of 60 fathoms. 
HARVEY quotes HooKER as having calculated this species to 
reach a length of 700 feet (213 m.), and states that Bory St. VIN- 
CENT attributes to specimens a length of 1500 feet (457 m.). HOWE 
(6) reports measurements of Macrocystis pyrifera and M. integrifolta 
