COLLECTING SEA-WEEDS. 



41 



deeply cut, with the divisions rounded, and the 

 general outline of the leaf pointed. Some specimens 

 are of a dull purple, others of a rich yellow hue ; 

 and I refer to the species as an interesting example 

 of the influence of light on the colour of marine 

 plants. The yellow specimens are exposed to the 

 sun's rays ; the purple ones are such as have grown 

 in deep shadow. The species is the Laurencia 

 finnatifida of botanists. 



Turning from the hidden clefts, we explore the 

 deep pools that lie between the ledges. High 

 wading-boots are necessary for this purpose, as we 

 have to work in the water. The great Oar-weeds 

 and Tangles [Laminaria) are growing here, large 

 olive sea-weeds that wave to and fro with the 

 undulations of the sea ; the former a long narrow 

 puckered frond of brown colour ; the latter, a broad 

 smooth leathery expanse of deeper colour on a 

 slender stalk, splitting with age into a number of 

 lengthened fingers or ribbons, and hence called the 

 Fingered Tangle (Laminaria digitata). Among 

 these grow clusters of an elegantly frilled species, 

 of delicate thin texture, and yellow-brown hue, 

 bearing no slight resemblance to the tresses of 

 some fair lady : this also is a Laminaria, but I 

 am not quite sure whether it is the young state 

 of the former species, or entitled to a name of 

 its own. In the latter case, it is the L. phyllitis 

 of botanists. 



In these deep pools grow also many bunches of 

 broad dark-red leaves, generally about as large as 

 one's hand, smooth and glossy, of a dark crimson 

 hue, but apt to run off into a pale greenish tint 

 towards the tips; their edges have often little 

 leaves growing on them. It is the Dulse or Dillis 



