739 



The Algce -Vegetation of the Caves. 



On almost all the coasts of the Faroes, facing the open sea, 

 large or small concealed caves are found, where the sea often 

 makes its wav far into the rock. In stormv weather, when the sea 

 is rough, these caves are more or less filled by the surf rushing in 



Fig. 156. Cave in the rocks facing the sea. Illustration from Bordo : Arnefjord, (F. B. phot.) 



with a noise like tliunder. Now one might expect to find a luxu- 

 riant littoral algae vegetation in these caves, which are always fresh 

 and cool, and where there is less danger of the drying process 

 than in the open air. But the dim light is a factor which very soon 

 prevents the greater part of the littoral algae from thriving here. 

 These algae are mostly such as seek the light and are accustomed 

 to grow in full daylight. They are therefore only found at the en- 

 trance of these caves, and most of them soon disappear. 



