XIV 



INTRODUCTION. 



she has less chance of success in "treasure trove" from wreck-gathering on the shore, 

 than more adventurous labourers from low-water-mark researches. 



The long mass of rocks called Filey Bridge has been already mentioned; and one 

 of its peculiarities, namely, its various levels, leads to a subject to which the attention 

 of collectors should be directed; that is, the zone vegetation of the sea. By which 

 is meant that certain particular plants, and even classes of plants, affect certain 

 depths or levels of the sea. Thus, for instance, one may say generally that the 

 grass-green ones inhabit the upper range or zone, and that the red prefer the lower, 

 while different forms of the olive-coloured flourish the whole way through. In the 

 following descriptions this point is always noticed; and it will be observed that, 

 while some species confine themselves exclusively to one situation, others are to be 

 found anywhere "between tide-marks;" varying, however, considerably in colour and 

 even character of growth in different situations; the red ones always pale and dis- 

 coloured near the higher zone. Thus, in upper pools, our friend Ceramium rubrum 

 will be found a dirty stone-colour; in deep ones, a fine red. 



Among those which maintain an unvarying position is the large Tangle or Oar- 

 weed, Laminaria digitata (Fig. 24). It is never met with but at extreme tide-limits, 

 where some of its broad, leather-like fronds may be seen darkly overhanging the 

 rocks, while others, a little lower down, are rising and dipping in the water like 

 sea-serpents floated by the waves. If ever you find yourself astray among Laminarias, 

 therefore, you may conclude at once where you are, according to algological geography; 

 namely, at extreme low-water mark; or, in other words, in the Laminarian zone. 

 And, being there, it behoves you to remember that you may expect to find all manner 

 of good things growing in the neighbourhood, seeing that the finest red sea-weeds 

 also love this deep water. Not that you must expect to see this lower region a 

 fairy land of rosy colour, remember — often not half as much so as a wreck-scattered 

 shore like that at St. Mary's. A delusion on this subject is encouraged by picture- 

 books, from which the loving disciple must awake. Few red plants are as bright 

 when growing as when laid out, though this rule, like all others, has its exceptions; 

 but it is true of most of the species which afterwards prove so brilliant. Delesseria 

 sanguinea, for instance (now WormsJcioldia sanguinea, Fig. 169), does not acquire its 

 fine cactus-hue till after it has been exposed for an hour or two to the air; and 

 Dasga coccinea (Fig. 135), and Flocammm coccineum (Fig. 178), take a longer time 

 still before they change from their original reddish brown to the cochineal tint their 

 name implies. To find the former plant, therefore, you must look out for a delicately 

 transparent and exquisitely formed leaf, rather than expect to be guided to it at 

 once by a startling blaze of colour. 



Beside all Avhich, the beauties, whether bright or dingy, often hide; and you will 

 have to inspect the sides of the rocks most carefully, lifting up the great tangle 

 plants to peep underneath them, if you would hope to see anything worth having. 

 The most lovely of CalUtliamnions looks but a miserable little dab of pinkish mud, 

 as you see it on a rock when the tide has left it, for how can it float and show 

 itself there? And it is only by knowing and practically believing that everything 

 is something, that you are preserved from passing by many such minute valuables 

 in such situations. 



