Originally published in 1928 as part of the Cambridge Comparative Physiology Series, this book examines the effect of sea water on the growth of marine plants and animals as well as how the varying chemical makeup of seawater affects its circulation. Harvey covers topics such as temperature fluctuation, tidal streams, and the fertility of coastal areas, and supplies many charts and graphs in the text to illustrate key points. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of science and the study of the oceans.