Archive image from page 373 of The depths of the ocean;. The depths of the ocean; a general account of the modern science of oceanography based largely on the scientific researches of the Norwegian steamer Michael Sars in the North Atlantic depthsofoceange00murr Year: 1912 33& DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN CHAP. berry - like bladders on special small side branches (see Fig. 243)- One cannot help being struck by the fact that the drifting Sargasso weeds are destitute of the ordinary organs of repro- duction. This seems to be invariably the case with attached algae that have been torn loose from their su
Archive image from page 373 of The depths of the ocean;. The depths of the ocean; a general account of the modern science of oceanography based largely on the scientific researches of the Norwegian steamer Michael Sars in the North Atlantic depthsofoceange00murr Year: 1912 33& DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN CHAP. berry - like bladders on special small side branches (see Fig. 243)- One cannot help being struck by the fact that the drifting Sargasso weeds are destitute of the ordinary organs of repro- duction. This seems to be invariably the case with attached algae that have been torn loose from their support. They con- tinue to grow vegetatively, but are deprived of all power of forming new reproduction organs, until they can attach them- selves afresh. The same holds good, too, with those strange broken-off masses of algae that one finds drifting about along the bottom in bays, the constant movement of the water-masses pre- venting them from attaching themselves to the soft mud or sand. The Sargasso weed continues to grow as it drifts, but the gas-bladders are not formed in the same proportion as on the ordinary branches, the result being that one finds newly detached patches close up to the surface, whereas the older patches with a greater specific weight have sunk lower down. These last have, moreover, thinner branches and a lighter olive-brown colour. Finally, the power of floating ceases altogether, and the patches sink into deep water and perish. Their disappearance is, however, quite imperceptible, since fresh patches of weed are constantly arriving from the coast. It is quite usual to find smaller algae fastened to the Sargasso weed, and there is, besides, a characteristic animal-life amidst its branches, but none of these organisms properly belong to the ocean, notwithstanding their being found there so invariably. Fig. 243.—Branch of Sargassum bacciferum. (From Kerner.)
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