THE SHORES OF BRITAIN. 57 



forms are found in the winter, affixed to the mid- 

 rib, which alone survives that season, the foliaceous 

 part having all decayed away. The one mode is 

 by means of nearly globular capsules attached to 

 the rib by short foot-stalks, and inclosing many ir- 

 regularly-shaped seeds ; the other is by small mem- 

 branaceous, leaf-like processes, likewise containing 

 seeds. These two kinds of fructification occur on 

 distinct individuals. This charming fucus, of which 

 no adequate idea can be formed, by a verbal de- 

 scription, retains much of its beauty when dried, 

 and is very easily preserved. It is a pity that I am 

 obliged to confess that its odour is very unpleasant, 

 being rank and pungent. 



Some of those species, whose fronds are very de- 

 licately and numerously ramified, have been used 

 to form mimic pictures. By skilful arrangement, 

 very pretty landscapes are thus made, the forms and 

 foliage of trees being beautifully imitated. ' The 

 kinds most commonly appropriated for this purpose 

 are Plocamium coccineum and Gelidium cartilagi- 

 neurrij which have a very beautiful effect if simply 

 expanded on smooth white paper, or on the pearly 

 inner surface of large shells. The whole order Flo- 

 ridece, to which these belong, is remarkable for bril- 

 liant hues, and often elegant forms. 



Like their kindred, the plants of the earth and air, 

 the sea- weeds have their parasites. As the Tilland- 

 sia grows on the giants of the tropical forests, and as 

 the mistletoe grows upon the apple-tree of our own 

 orchards, so do some of these draw their nourish- 

 ment, or at least derive their support, from the fronds 



