the Britj/h Fuel, with particular Defer iptions of each Species. 221 



Frew femipedsliSy filiformis, ramofiflima: Rami nonnunquam altcrni, 

 frequentius fparfi et fummitatem verfus imbricati : Ramuli breves, 

 fafciculati capillares ; in plantis junioribus acuti, at mox longibres 

 et obtufiufculi fiunt. Color junioris plants flavefcens, fenefcentis 

 niger. Substantia in j union plant! fubcartilaginea, tenera, laevis ; 

 in fenefcenti, rigida, fragilis, fcabra. 



This plant has been called by Mr. Hudfon confervoides ; but that 

 appellation having been given by Linnaeus to the fpecies defcribed 

 in the FL Ang. by the name of verrucofus, it has become neceflary to 

 give a new. denomination to the prefent plant. We have adopted 

 that of variabilis, as expreflive of the changes it undergoes in the 

 different ftages of its growth, which are fuch, that were it not for 

 one leading circumftance, which may be traced through all its 

 changes, it would be almoft impoflible to recognize it in youth and 

 age for the fame fpecies. 



This marking feature confifts in the fhort fafciculated acute ra- 

 muli which readily diftinguifh it from all other fpecies, and which 

 is confequently made the principal diftinction in the Specific cha- 

 racter. Thefe ramuli, in the young plant, form fomewhat clofe 

 fafciculi) are fine almoft as a hair, and acutely terminated. As the 

 plant advances, they appear of rather a Stronger fubftance, and 

 fomewhat more fpreading; and in age they become longer, though 

 rarely exceeding two or three lines: they terminate obtufely, and 

 appear fomewhat multifid, as defcribed in FL Anglica. 



The young plant is fubcartilaginous, but fmooth and tender : in 

 age it becomes rigid, fragile, and peculiarly rough to the touch, 

 from the remains of the broken branches and ramuli. From thefe 

 circumflances Mr. Hudfon has defcribed it ^fronde fcabra,* and ' ra- 

 **mulU denticulatisy taking part of his fpecific character very im- 

 properly 



