OLIVE COLORED ALG^E. 93 



or prominent, connect these in an irregular way, so 

 that the "meshes" are of very indefinite size and 

 shape. The hold-fast is a small bunch of branching 

 roots, and the stem, which is flat, almost immediately 

 expands into the blade. In most of the fronds, 

 especially the older ones, the stem is split into halves, 

 the split extending sometimes several inches into 

 the blade of the frond. This splitting is a natural 

 process, and not accidental. No collector of California 

 Algae ought to miss this curious and quite unique 

 species. It may be found at Santa Cruz and north- 

 ward, from June to November, among the other 

 LaminariecE. 



Qe\^us.— LAMINARIA* Lam. 



The larger plants of this genus bear collectively 

 several popular names, as " Kelp," '' Oar Weed," 

 " Devil's Aprons," etc. They are the largest Algae 

 belonging to the flora of our Atlantic coast. The three 

 most common species to be named below, from that 

 flora, may be easily distinguished from each other by 

 well marked specific differences. 



They are all deep water plants, and while they 



Laminaria = A leaf. 



