INTRODUCTION. 
Xlll 
And somewhat of the same character (the caves excepted) is Gristhorpe Bay, between 
Scarborough and Filey, where (all but back-water) the only risk you can run, is of slipping 
by a false step into some of the enormous pools with which it abounds, and which are deep, 
though not always dangerously so. But there are such things as happy accidents, and it was 
a tumble into one of these sea-weed repositories which a few years ago revealed the then rather 
surprising fact, that the whole bottom of the pool was lined with fine large plants of Odon- 
thalia dentata (Fig. 99) ; a species at one time supposed to flourish no farther south than 
the county of Durham. A “happy accident” this, were it only for the assurance it gives of 
how much remains to be done in the exploration of different localities ! 
But even in reflecting upon the best and easiest shores, such as the choice one of Douglas 
Ba}^, Isle of Man, for instance, it must be owned that a low-water-mark expedition is more 
comfortably undertaken under the protection of a gentleman. He may fossilize, or sketch, 
or even (if he will be savage and barbaric) shoot gulls, though one had rather not ; but no need, 
anyhow, to involve him in the messing after what he may consider “ rubbish;” unless, happily, 
he be inclined to assist. 
Meanwhile let the loving disciple who cannot obtain such help, take things easy. It is a fine 
thing to get as far as you can, of course; but she will do sufficiently well, as has been showm, 
without straining the point. We could whisper to her of a shore and pools at St. Mary’s, 
Scilly, where, without running into hazards or among Laminaria plants, she may deck herself 
over from top to toe with the crimson fronds of Rhodymenia laciniata (now Callophyllis laciniata, 
Fig. 179) and Kallymenia reniformis (Fig. 215), or the lighter rose-coloured ones of Nitopliyllums 
Hilliw punctatum (Figs. 175, 174); even as the robins covered over the babes in the wood 
with leaves ! And really, as a general rule, it would be scarcely possible to say that she has less 
chance of success in “ treasure trove” from wreck-gathering on the shore, than more adven- 
turous 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 “ betw^een tide-marks ;” varying, however, considerably in colour and even character 
of growth in different situations; the red ones always pale and discoloured near the higher 
zone. Thus, in upper pools, our friend Ceramium /-wJnm 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 
