the Briti/h Fucr, with particular Defer ipt ions of each Species. 229 



Habitat in rupibus et faxis fub-marinis pafTnn. 



Radix From cartilaginea filiformis, teres, ramofilTima, 



purpurafcens vel flavefcens, dodrantalis, craflitie chordam muficam 

 minorem asquans, a bafi uique ad apicem sequalis — Rami confertif- 

 fimi, implicati, incurvi, fub-fecundi ; terminales conftanter dicho- 

 tomi — Fruclificatio, tubercula rninutifTima ad Jatera et ad apices ra- 

 morum atro-purpurea. 



This fpecies is fufficiently diftinguiuhed from all its affinities by 

 its numerous and thickly matted branches, which do not vary in 

 fize from the bafe to the extremities. The colour varies, purple 

 and waxen ; and frequently both are mixed in the fame plant. 

 The fubftance is cartilaginous and wiry, extremely brittle when 

 dry. 



The fructification, which was unknown to Gmelin, is defcribed 

 by Lightfoot as confiding in minute tubercles, growing without 

 order on the fides of the branches. We have, befides thefe, ob- 

 ferved the extremities of the branches dilated into fimilar tu- 

 bercles — both are fo fmall as fcarcely to be diftinguitliable with the 

 naked eye. The whole plant is diaphanous, except the tubercles 

 when filled with feeds. It is found on various parts of the Britilh 

 coaft, but is rarely met with in fructification. 



72. FUCUS BYSSOIBES. 



Fronde fub-quadripinnata, ramis ramulifque omnibus alternis, 

 primariis longiflimis, ultimis breviflimis fafciculatis tenuif- 

 fimis. 

 Habitat inter rejectamenta maris in Infula Sheppey, apud 

 Haftings, Weymouth, Exmouth, et alibi — haud infrequens. 



Radix hbrofc — From tenera diaphana, filiformis, ramofiflima, fub- 



quadri- 



