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IX. Defcriptions of four new Specisi of Fucus, By Dawfon Turner^ 



M, yf. F.L.S. 



Read May 5^ i8ai^ 



-/although the numerous individuals comprehended under that 

 extenfive family known by the name cf Fucus, and efpccially fucli 

 of them as are confidered natives of Britain, have of late years been 

 the fubjecl of much inquiry, and have induced many mod: able 

 botanifts to exert their (kill in the inveftigation of them, it nevcr- 

 thelefs requires but a very flight acquaintance with the fubjecl, to 

 be fully perfuaded that, without entering into laborious rei'carches 

 upon their internal organization, or the mode of their fru^liiication, 

 thines hitherto almoft entirelv neojected, a wide field remains for 

 future naturahfl:s to difplay their ingenuity, in the determination of 

 many even of thofe fpecies which are mo/l abundant upon every. 

 part of our Ifland. I fliould feel extremely forry were this, or any 

 fimilar obfervation, to be confidered as detradting from the merits of 

 thofe gentlemen, to whofe exertions I have always had a pleafure in 

 acknowledging that the fcience is mcft deeply indebted: — far from. 

 fuch an idea, my intention is only to fay that our knowledge of the 

 marine a/gi^ is ilill in its infancy; and a Wronger proof of the juftice 

 of this remark can hardly be adduced, than the common Fucui ve^ 

 ficulfuSy from the varying appearances of which, Linnxus and 

 feme fubfequent botanifts have formed fuch an infinity of dirtintSi 

 fpecies.. Did this circuraftance require further confirmation,, it 

 might pofiibly in fome degree receive it from a confideration of the 



four 



