the Bi itijb Fuel, tvhh particular Defer ipt ions of each Species. 225 



69. FtJCUS PURPURASCENS. 



F. frontle filiformi ramofiilima, ramulis fetaceis fparfis ; tubcr- 



culis fubrotundis innatis. 

 Herb. Buddie. 



R. Syn. p. 50. n. 51. FL Aug. p. 589, Withering^ vol. 3. p. 259. 

 F. tuberculatus. Ft. Scot. p. 926. 

 Habitat in rupibus et Taxis fub-marinis ubique. 

 Adhaeret faxis iibris aliquot crafliuiculis — From filiformis, teres, 

 cartilaginea tenera, pedalis et ultra, craifitie pennae corvina?, conti- 

 nua; ramis nunc oppofitis, nunc altcrnis, plerumque autem fparlis 

 inftructa — Rami inferiores longiores, fupremi breviffimi ; ramulis 

 numerofiffimis fparfis, nonnunquam etiam confertis tenuioribus 

 veftiti — Ramulis per -intervalla innata funt tubercula fubrotunda 

 feminifera a fe invicem diftantia — Color purpurafcens, aut ex pur- 

 pureo et virefcenti-albefcens. 



This fpecies differs from all its affinities by its fructification, 

 which confifts of roundiili, or fometimes oval fwellings, placed at 

 fome diftance from each other on the fmallefl branches, and 

 which, when the plant is mature, may be obferved to be filled with 

 blackifh purple feeds. Thefe are never terminal, as defcribed by 

 Gmelin ; for, when they appear to be fo, there may always be ob- 

 ferved a fubulate procefs, which is, in fact, the extremity of the 

 branch extended beyond the tubercle. 



The fructification of this plant is truly an innate tubercle, which 

 occupies the central part of the branch, and, as it fwells, caufes 

 that to dilate, and to form the gouty knot which is externally ob- 

 fervable. The fubftance of the branch is no ways altered by this 



Vol. III. G g procefs, 



