56 



THE OCEAN. 



■jOHAti'ML 



The Peacock's Tail {Padina pavonia). 



fringed with exceedingly minute filaments, which, in 

 a living state, often reflect the prismatic colours of 

 the rainbow. 



Perhaps the most lovely of all the Fuci is the De- 

 lesseria sanguined, which is a common species. It 

 consists of several oblong-oval or pointed leaves, of 

 extreme delicacy, with the edges very much waved 

 or plaited, furnished with a midrib and side-veins, 

 which materially increase their leaf-like appearance ; 

 the. colour is an exceedingly rich rose-pink. The 

 midrib often throws out smaller leaves, which, if 

 the main frond be destroyed, soon attains its usual 

 size; an interesting provision against the accidents 

 to which these apparently frail plants are neces- 

 sarily exposed. The fructification of this genus is 

 curious, as being of a twofold character : both 



