■the Britj/h Fuci\ wiih particular DefcrJptions of each Species. 99 



tiic Ken, Leven, and other ftreams, F. canaUculatus is fometimes 

 found remarkably luxuriant. At Ilfracombe, where there is a very 

 trifling influx of frelh water, Y . fajligiatus grows fo flender and 

 compaiSl, that no inexperienced pcrfon would think it the fame as 

 the large interceptus. We fuppofe thefe things principally occafioned 

 by the vicinity or abfence of frelli ftreams. At Ilfracombe F. fibrofus 

 grows fcarcely more than a foot high ; but we have feen it thrown 

 np on the fliore at Weymouth after a violent ftorm, literally ap- 

 pearing to us at firft fight to be the root of fome great tree. The 

 different appearances of viultifidus are occafioned by differences of 

 foil, fituation, or growth — as are thofe of nodofus alfo. We mention 

 all thefe things chiefly with a view to apprife young ftudents, that 

 W'hen we have given defcriptions of the height, texture, fubfl:ance, 

 &c. yet ftill it is very poflTible that plants may be found differing 

 confiderably from our accounts. — All we wifh to do is, to ftate 

 the general appearance : we cannot be accountable for the irregula- 

 rities.which proceed from fo many caufes as arc to be found in all 

 the variations of growth, foil and climate. 



Some little mention ought to be made of the colour and opacity 

 of Fuel, In all our defcriptions wc have endeavoured to note the 

 natural colour : but if plants have lain long in the water, and been 

 left by the reflux of the tide on the fhore, where they are necefTarily 

 expofed to the power of the wind and fun, the proper colour is of- 

 tentimes all difcharged — they become white or black, &c. according 

 to circumftances. In dryingF/i-c/, green and red colours retain their 

 proper appearance, but the olivaceous colours ufually appear black. 

 Where the change has bocn effefled by drying only, the original 

 colour may generally be detc6fed by holding up the plant to a 

 ftrong light of a candle or lamp. 



O a Fuci 



