82 SEA MOSSES. 



serratus at Newburyport; but their rarity makes it 

 undesirable to describe them in a work intended only 

 as a popular introduction to the more common forms 

 of our marine flora. 



Order.— PH& O SPORES. 

 Sub-order.— LAMINARIE&. 

 Genus.— MA CROC YSTIS* Ag. 



MICROCYSTIS PYRIFERA, AG. 



This is the giant among sea weeds. Indeed, it 

 attains a length unknown in any other vegetable form 

 upon the globe. Were it not to question the testi- 

 mony of careful observers, I should be much inclined 

 to doubt some of the stories told about this remarkable 

 plant. Dr. Hooker says it attains a length of 700 

 feet, and Bory St. Vincent declares it is sometimes 

 found 1,500 feet long. Mrs. Bingham, of Santa 

 Barbara, writes me that it is frequently thrown on 

 shore there, 100 feet long. Mr. Cleveland, who has 

 been at great pains and trouble to get me exact 

 data as well as typical specimens of this plant, has 



* Macrocystis = With large bladders. 



