the BrhiJJj Fad, 'with particular Defcriptiom of each Species, aoi 



Our firft variety entirely accords with the fpecimens in the 

 Linnaean Herbarium. We found it in great plenty on the rocks at 

 Ilfracombe. It there feldom exceeded three inches in height: it 

 grew erect and compact, the branches of the thicknefs of fmall 

 Wire, and fcarcely a ring upon them. Very few of the branches 

 (probably owing to their humble growth and firm texture) had 

 ever fuffered any injury. At Haftings we have found it from three 

 to nearly five inches in height. The plants were all fomewhat 

 difFufe and procumbent. The injuries done them (being very much 

 expofed to the force of the waves) were frequent, and the rings (for 

 rings are almoft conftantly attendant upon the injuries, at lead: 

 where the injury has not flopped the farther growth of the plant) 

 were obfervable in proportion. As thefe plants grew taller, fo alio 

 their branches are fomewhat thicker than at Ilfracombe. 



At Cromer in Norfolk we have met with our variety /3 inter- 

 ceptus in abundance. We fo call it from all the branches having 

 almoft conftantly thefe annular calJofities juft at their laft divifion. 

 It here grows to the height of fix or eight inches, and the branches 

 are all proportionably thicker. In this variety the branches pro- 

 duced after the annular procefs are more pellucid (owing perhaps 

 to the thinnefs of the new tender fubfhnce) than ufually is feen 

 in the former : but nothing is more common than to fee, in all 

 ftages of growth, the tips of the branches gre^nifh and of a clearifh 



caft. 



Two things are too ftriking not to be mentioned : firft, that thefe 

 rings are never to be feen but at the extremities of the frond, and 

 when the length of the branches makes them more capable of 

 being broken off; and farther, that no one branch has fcarcely ever 

 more than one ring. All fubjecis in nature are endued with a power 

 of repairing ordinary injuries ; but reparation is the confequence of 



Vol- III. Dd extraordinary 



