the Britljlj Fuci t with particular Dtfcriptions of each Species. 207 



bercula minuta fphserica, ex rubro nigrefecntia ad latcra ramo- 

 rum ramulorumque fefulia — Color pallide rubefcit. 



This elegant fpecies approaches neareft to the verticiUatus of 

 Ughtfoot, but appears to differ in fubftancc, in colour, and in 

 the form and difpofition of the branches, as will be obferved by 

 comparing the defcriptions together. 



The fubftance of this is tender and approaching to gelatinous. 

 The branches which divide direclly from the root are filiform, tu- 

 bular like thofe of verticillatus, but without any tendency to arti- 

 culations as obfervable in the latter fpecies. They vary extremely 

 in fize ; plants found by Mr. Stackhoufe on the coafl of Cornwall 

 exceeding the thicknefs of a crow's quill, whilft fuch as have been 

 found on the beach at Yarmouth fcarcely equal that of the fpar- 

 row. Thefe branches have fometimes a waved or twirled mode of 

 growth, but this appearance is not fufficiently cenftant to form a 

 chara£teri{tic mark. The fecondary branches vary extremely in 

 their manner of proceeding from the primary: fome are oppofite, 

 others alternate, but much the larger part appear to grow without 

 any order. The extreme ramuli, which are fliort, fubulate, and 

 terminate rather obtufely, are very often verticillate, generally 3 or 

 4 in a whorl, and, when not regularly fo, have always a vifible ten- 

 dency to that difpofition. 



The fructification confifts of globular tubercles feffile on the fides 

 of the frnaller branches, fo minute as fcarcely to be diftinguiihed 

 by the naked eye, bright red, and when filled with feeds, nearly 

 black. The colour of the fpecimens we have feen is a pale watery 

 red ; but it is not improbable but it may be fometimes found mix- 

 .ed with green, this change being obfervable in moft of the gelati- 

 nous fuc'u In a very young ftate its finer branches are fometimes 



fo 



