An Introduction to the Study of Seaweeds

Abstract

IN this little volume, one of the Manuals for Students Series, we have a fairly satisfactory account of those forms of Algæ which live in salt water. We had fancied that the English name “seaweed” had by this time lost its first or original meaning, and that it had come to be considered as equivalent to Algæ, in its widest sense; but Mr. Murray has drawn the line between those forms which live in fresh and those which live in salt water, and whenever it is possible he avoids all reference to the former. This being so, there is no account of the lovely Desmids, nor of the interesting species of Bulbochæte and Œdogonium. Noting this as a fact, but one to be regretted so far as the Chlorophyceæ, which “attain their finest development in fresh waters,” are concerned, we welcome this little book as a useful and pleasantly written introduction to an ever-fascinating group of plants, which are easily, for the most part, preserved and are equally easy of observation. Their life-history, despite that many of them are so common, has still many a secret, which it will take long and patient research to find out. The introductory chapter condenses a great deal of valuable information into a few pages, and is accompanied by a useful list of books and memoirs on seaweeds.

An Introduction to the Study of Seaweeds.

By George Murray (London: Macmillan, and Co., 1895.)