the Britifh Fuci, with particular Defer iptions of each Species. 23 1 



other orders are extremely (Tiort, ufually much crowded together in 

 clutters. The whole frond is very tender and tranfparent. In dry- 

 ing it often aflumes a dark or black red colour. 



It feems to be a parafitical plant, as its root appears ufually alto- 

 gether entangled in a mafs of fome fine Conferva, matted like the 

 C. bullofa* It is by no means an uncommon plant. 



It is very rarely to be met with in fructification. The fructifica- 

 tion is very minute, fertile tubercles, containing feeds, fituated at 

 the ends, and on the fides of the fmaller branches. We have feen 

 fome Conferva? with fimilar appearances *. 



WE have thus endeavoured to make out as complete a catalogue 

 of the Britifh fpecies as our prefent means and opportunities have 

 enabled us to afcertain. We have had to wait year after year for the 

 appearance of fructification in fome fpecies which rarely occur in 

 that ftate. Some few have never yet appeared to us with any figti 

 of flower or tubercle at ail. F. ligulatus and tomentofus, in particular, 

 are extremely equivocal in this refpect. But from fome late com- 

 munications from Mr. Stackhoufe, we have reafon to expect that 

 the fructification of tomentofus will not long remain concealed. 



* In our Synoptic Table we have called this plant Fucus capillarhy upon a fuppofition 

 that Mr. Hudfon haddefigned this plant under that denomination. But fince the print- 

 ing of that part, Sir Thomas Frankland, Bart. F. R. S. has honoured us with fome very 

 valuable communications. Among other things he has fent us fpecimens of Hudfon's 

 real capi/taris y and has aflured us that this is Conferva Byffbides of Mr. Lightfoot's MSS. 

 We have therefore adopted that trivial name. But we differ from Mr. Lightfoot, in af- 

 fociating it with the genus Fucus^ for reafons above mentioned. It is too late now to 

 avail ourfelves of Sir Thomas Frankland's remarks ; but thefe and other matters, which 

 have come to our knowledge fince the conclufion of this tract, will be the fubject of a 

 fupplementary paper. 



This 



