the BrUiJJi Fuel, with particular Defcriptions of each Species. 157 



plants without repeated examination of their feveral properties. 



The fruftification is the fame in all the varieties : the only difFer- 



encc to be ftated is, the enlargement of the var. y at all its divi- 



fions, and, at thofe divifions, the palmated form in which the 



branches fecm to be produced. But this divifion is by no means 



conftant in any one plant which may be found; fome of the 



branches being dilated and palmated, and others linear, as in the 



var. a, in the felf-fame plant. — This then deftroys all fpecific 



charatSler taken from that circumftance. This dilated variety 



oftentimes is fomewhat dichotomous, but the branches are always 



more or lefs linear and obtufe. The var. /3. in fome ffages of its 



growth approaches very near to dentatm; but it is fufficiently 



diftindl by the branches being obtufe. All thefe varieties have the 



edges of the branches perfeclly entire, or moft beautifully fringed 



as it were with rudiments of branches, too clofely fet for any one of 



them to arrive at any material fize. Tubercles are fometimes found 



in thefe little rudiments. 



The var. /3 grows in great abundance at Ilfracombe in the north 

 of Devonfhire, where it creeps round the edges of the bafons in the 

 rocks, and makes a beautiful appearance. 



Thisy«c«i attaches itfelf not unfrequently to other y«c; and the 

 coarfer confervce, and very commonly to the corallina officinalis. 

 When it attaches itfelf to plants, it feems to cling round them, and 

 foon totally invefts them if they are of fmall fize. 



When it grows fingle on rocks, it appears to have a very fhort 

 and thickifh comprefled ftem. 



Its delicate texture and beautiful red colour catch the eye of the 

 moft incurious obferver. 



The fruaification is tubercles, or warty clufters of feeds, fcattered. 

 along or rather juft within the edges of the branches. 



A^ 



