the Bi itiJJj Fuci y with particular Defcriptions of each Species. 129 



frequently bifid, reprcfenting in miuiature the fruit-bearing termina- 

 tions of Fuctts veftculofuL 



The figure of Gmelin is fo accurate, though it reprefents a fingle 

 branch only, and not an entire plant, that it cannot be miftaken ; 

 and his defcription confirms our affertion of the want of air blad- 

 ders, as he fays, the veficles confiil of a congeries of tubercles ap- 

 pearing to be full of feeds. 



We have never obferved the terminating fubulate leaves to be 

 wanting in the perfect plants, though in old ones they frequently 

 arc, being broken off by the force of the waves ; we have there- 

 fore adopted this as part of the fpecific character, to diitinguifh this 

 fpecies from abrotanlfoUus^ which always has the branches terminated 

 by a multipartite leaf with obtufc fegments. It is farther diftin- 

 guiflied from abrotamjolius by the want of veficles, by being branched 

 directly from the root, and by the branches and lubdivifions growing 

 without order ; in the latter alfo the veficles and fructification arc 

 obfervable on the upper branches only, but in this the tubercles 

 are to be found on all the fmall ramifications. It is diftinguiuhable 

 from jibrofus, by its fmaller fize, its terminating fructification and 

 want of veficles ; and from fcenkulaceus and concatenatus of Linnxus, ' 

 by its want of veficles and its black colour when dried. 



The quotation of Gmelin' s accurate figure and defcription of this 

 plant in Syjl. Nat. and the erroneous fynonyms given by Gmelin him- 

 felf, are a fufficient apology for Mr. Hudfon's fuppofing this plant 

 thcfcenfculaceus of Linnaeus ; notwithstanding the mention of veficles 

 in the fpecific character, which are totally wanting in this fpecies, 

 might have led him to lufpett fome error. 



We have not defcribed the root; the fpecimens which have fallen 

 under our obfervation not having any : but it is reafonable to con- 

 dude, that both this fpecies and abrotamjolius adhere to the rocks by 



Vol. III. S fome 



