2 
occurring, though in less profusion, at Unalaschka, and not 
appearing at all on the islands to the eastward of the Aleu- 
tian, nor on the more northerly island of St. George. Not 
a single sea-weed was to be seen on the shores of the Mat- 
weis Island. I was enabled by some specimens which I 
collected on the strand of Sitcha, to ascertain the nature of 
the fructification in this group of Fuci; it is situated, as a 
cristate portion of the leafy substance, immediately above 
the vesicle, which is distinguished by its darker colour: the 
root is precisely that of a Laminaria. 
* Among the rejectamenta of the sea, another gigantic 
Fucus* occurs, both in the Bays of Conception and Valpa- 
raiso, and equally plentiful at either place; but 1 cannot 
determine it with certainty. A much-branched root, similar 
to what we see in Fucus saccharinus, esculentus, &c. produces 
a round stipes, extending to some feet in length, and of the 
equal diameter throughout of 13 inch. Its substance con- 
sists of wide irregularly-sized cells, filled with a thick gela- 
tinous mass, This stipes expands into a frond, 2-5 feet 
broad, and above an inch thick ; ramifying, frequently, into 
long, at first flattish, but afterwards rounder thongs, or to 
speak more correctly, cord-like twigs, which measure nearly 
30 feet, and terminate in almost thready points. The 
stipes and frond assume, in drying, the consistency of 
leather; but the twigs, which, when fresh may be even 
braided together, when exposed to the influence of the 
parching heat of Chili, snap like glass, even when the great- 
est care is used in handling them. I have with difficulty 
preserved some specimens in a tolerable state. This sea- 
weed forms a favourite article of food with the poorer classes 
of Chilenos, who prepare a savoury soup from it. It has 
nothing in common with F. digitatus; nor do I venture to 
place it among the Laminaria, though even F. buccinalis has 
been arranged there. 
= * Fucus antarcticus (Chamisso in Choris’ Voyage Pittoresque Traversée de 
Cronstadt au Chili, p. 7. t. 7.) Bot. etus d Fl. Apr. 1823:— D' Urvillea — 
of Bory de St. Vincent. (Chanisso.) 
