Algology on the continent of Europe has lately been studied 

 with much zeal, and many talented naturalists have signalized them- 

 selves by the discoveries they have made and the improvements in 

 the classification which they have effected. The names of Lamou- 

 roux, Lyngbye, Agandh, Turner, Velley, Berkeley, Greville, Mon- 

 tague, Haivey, and Mrs. Griffiths, are an array of lajent sufficient 

 to exiract light from darkness, truth from error, and intelligence 

 from the mighty depths of the ocean. But in our country, until the 

 last few years, darkness has reigned supreme upon this subject, and 

 the flowers of the sea have remained unculled, except bv Borealis, 

 until Professor Bailey, of West Point, lent his investigating talent 

 to the subject, and thereby awakened a little knot of followers, who 

 will be untiring in their labors, from its becoming a labor of love. 

 To Mr. Bailey I am indebted for nearly all I know of the subject, 

 for it was by his kind assistance I learnt the A, B, C in this fascin- 

 ating book. Jt was through his generous encouragement that I 

 waded on from lesson to lesson, until my book has attained a respect- 

 able size, and to me has become the interesting companion of my 

 leisure. For the advancement of this science we are much in- 

 debted to many ladies, who have effected much by the beautiful 

 display which their skilfull ingenuity has made of specimens, which 

 has awakened an interest in the subject of persons who otherwise 

 could never have been enlisted. Dr. Harvey, of Dublin, has like- 

 wise been amongst us taking notes and observations, and is now 

 engaged upon a work on this science, which will form a foundation- 

 stone whereon the American Algologist may build with safety. 

 The coming in of the new year may be hailed with hopes by the 

 American Algologist, when the Nerius Borealis Americana shall 

 appear, for hitherto we have had nought but European authority, 

 and we have consequently been at sea without rudder or compass 

 to guide us from the great daikness wherein we have been involved.* 



* In Professor Hitchcock's report of the flowerless plants of Massachusetts, in 

 1835, he only names eleven species; and in 1S3S Dr. Torrey sent to the elder 

 Asjardh about the same number; and this was all that had been effected in our 

 Marine Algae until Professor Bailey withdrew the veil of darkness from Neptune's 

 garden, and prepared for his followers so plenteous a harvest And Mr. Bailey, in 

 184^, when he published his list of American Algae, only had met with 172 species, 

 foretelling truly that many new species would be added thereunto. But, even now, 

 but little, very little, has been done on this side the Atlantic. We need workers in 

 this harvest field, for truly the fruit bends to the hand of the collector. It is true 

 Massachusetts Bay, and a few other portions of our Eastern coast, have yielded to 



