CJwndriecE.'] lauhencia. 269 



varying accordingly. It is very common on the coast of 

 Ayrshire, where it ranges from an inch to upwards of six 

 inches in length. Near high- water mark it is little more 

 than an inch long, with a recumbent, curled, matted ap- 

 pearance, of a dark olive-colour. In rock-pools it is a little 

 larger and yellower. At low-water mark it attains its full 

 size, and is of a darker purplish colour. As in some states 

 it does not adhere to paper, or stains the paper to which it 

 adheres, it is occasionally treated to a moment^s immersion 

 in boiling water. This renders it more pliant, and less apt 

 to stain the paper, but makes it paler in colour. 



It is very interesting to look at the numerous, varieties of 

 this plant as figured by our most distinguished Algologists, 

 Stackhouse, Turner, Greville, Harvey. The variety Osmunda, 

 as figured by Stackhouse, is beautiful. Dr. Greville's 

 figures in PL xiv. Alg. Brit., and Professor Harvey's in 

 PL LV. Phyc. Brit., are very valuable. It is called j'j^^^r- 

 didse, and it certainly has, especially when young, a very 

 pungent smell and peppery taste, and may form a very com- 

 fortable quid for an Icelander. It was formerly eaten in 

 Scotland, but we rather think that now it is not at all used. 



2. Laurencia CiESPiTOSA, Lamow. 



Hab. On stones, &c., within tide-mark. Not uncommon. 

 Intermediate between L. pimiatifida and L. oltusa. 



