THE GAME BREEDER 



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from the end of the rootstock or its 

 branches, and may reach a length of 6 

 feet. The rootstocks, which usually are 

 reddish, have joints about every half 

 inch, at which they are easily broken. 

 The numerous fibrous roots spring from 

 these joints. Seeds of eel-grass are 

 formed in sheaths alongside the leaves. 

 They are about one-eighth of an inch in 

 length, are placed end to end, and are 

 barrel-shaped, with the surface conspic- 

 uously longitudinally ribbed (Fig. 14). 

 Eel-grass has numerous common names, 

 among w;hich we may cite sea-wrack or 

 grass-wrack, sea-, sweet-, barnacle-, 

 turtle- and wigeon-grass. 



Distribution. 

 Eel-grass is strictly a maritime spe- 

 cies. In its natural habitat it is cosmo- 

 politan. In North America it is found 

 from Greenland to the Gulf of Mexico, 

 and from Alaska to California. 



Propagation. 



This plant grows only in salt water. 

 It is common along shores facing the 

 open ocean, but also grows in bays and 



Fig. 14.— Seeds of Eel-grass. 



even lagoons where the water must be far 

 less salt than the sea. The seeds are 

 not well protected against drying and 

 for that reason are unsuitable for trans- 

 planting.^ Moreover, unless they can be 

 ^They undoubtedly can be preserved in cold 

 storage in salt water, but considering the lim- 

 ited use that can be made by seeds on account 

 of the heavy wash along most shores, this 

 probably would not be profitable, 

 sown in a very quiet place the chances 

 are against securing a catch. The root- 

 stocks, however, are rather tough and 

 resistant and, furthermroe, can be fas- 

 tened to the bottom. They must not be 

 allowed to dry, but should be shipped 

 wet and handled as rapidly as possible. 

 Bury or fasten to the bottom in water a 

 few feet deep where there is little surf. 

 Once established the plant will spread to 

 more exposed areas. 



Fig. 13 —Eel-grass. 



More game and fewer game laws. 



