I)elesserie<2.'] delesseria. 257 



This is a very variable plant in its appearance, according 

 to its age ; the leaves, when very young, being oval. The 

 substance is thin and membranaceous, adhering tolerably 

 to paper in drying, unless when old ; the colour when fresh 

 is red, but not so fine a red as the preceding ; it becomes 

 much darker in drying, unless decomposition has begun, in 

 which case there is a fine variety of tints, red and green, 

 and yellow and white. 



3. Delesseria alata, Lamouroux. 



Hab. In the sea, chiefly on Laminana digitata. 



It is questioned whether it is perennial. I can answer 

 for it that it is- at least biennial. It is got all winter in a 

 ragged, sapless state, when it does not adhere to paper in 

 drying. Early in March it begins to grow, and in a short 

 time the lower part of the frond is dark and rigid, and the 

 upper is light-coloured, and fresh and limber. In the end 

 of March 1 819, I got specimens in this state, some of them 

 with capsular fruit on the young part of the frond, and 

 others with ternate granules thickly imbedded in little leafy 

 processes at the very tips of the frond, having a rich ap- 

 pearance. 



This is by far the most abundant Delesseria on our 

 western shores. Even in its most common state it is a 



s 



