the Brit'r/Jj Fuci, with particular Defaiptiom cf each Species. 99 



the Ken, Leven, and other ftrcams, F. canaliculatus is fomctimes 

 found remarkably luxuriant. At llfracombe, where there is a very 

 trifling influx of freih water, F . fa/l/g/atus grows lb (lender and 

 compact, that no inexperienced pcribn would think it the lame as 

 the large interceptus* We fuppofe thele things principally occafioned 

 by the vicinity or abfence of frclli ftreams. At llfracombe Y.fibrofus 

 grows fcarcely more than a foot high ; but we havefcen it thrown 

 up on the lhore at Weymouth after a violent ftorm, literally ap- 

 pearing to us at fir ft fight to be the root of fome great tree. The 

 different appearances of muliifihts are occafioned by differences of 

 foil, fituation, or growth — as are thofe of nodofus alio. We mention 

 all thefe things chiefly with a view to appriie young ftudents, that 

 when we have given defcriptions of the height, texture, fubftancc, 

 &c. yet ftill it is very poilible that plants may be found differing 

 confiderably from our accounts. — All we wifh to do is, to ft ate 

 the general appearance : we cannot be accountable for the irregula- 

 rities which proceed from {o many caufes as are to be found in all 

 the variations of growth, foil and climate. 



Some little mention ought to be made of the colour and opacity 

 of Fuci. In all our defcriptions we have endeavoured to note the 

 natural colour: but if plants have lain long in *-he water, and been 

 left by the reflux of the tide on the iliore, where they are neceiTarily 

 expofed to the power of the wind and fun, the proper colour is of- 

 tentimes all dilcharged — they become white or black, &c. according 

 to circumftances. In dryingFac/, green and red colours retain their 

 proper appearance, but the olivaceous colours ufually appear black. 

 Where the change has been e fleeted by drying only, the original 

 colour may generally be detected by holding up the plant to a 

 ftrong light of a candle or lamp. 



O 2 Fuci 



