the Briti/h Fuc:, with particular Defer iptions of each Species. 207 



bercula minuta fphserica, ex rubro nigrefcentia ad latera ramo- 

 rum ramulorumque feflilia — Color pallide rubefcit. 



This elegant fpecies approaches neareft to the verticillatus of 

 I.ightfoot, but appears to differ in fubftance, in colour, and in 

 the form and difpofition of the branches, as ^ill be obferved by- 

 comparing the defcriptions together. 



The fubftance of this is tender and approaching to gelatinous. 

 The branches which divide diredlly from the root are fihform, tu- 

 bular like thole of verticillatus, but without any tendency to arti- 

 culations as obfervable in the latter fpecies. They vary extremely 

 in fize ; plants found by Mr. Stackhoufe on the coafl of Cornwall 

 exceeding the thicknefs of a crow's quill, whilft fuch as have been 

 found on the beach at Yarmouth fcarcely equal that of the fpar- 

 row. Thefe branches have fometimes a waved or twilled mode of 

 growth, but thi& appearance is not fufiiciently ccnftant to form a 

 charafteriftic mark. The fecondary branches vary extremely in 

 their manner of proceeding from the primary: fome are oppofite, 

 others alternate, but much the larger part appear to grow without 

 any order. The extreme ramuli, which are fhort, fubulate, and 

 terminate rather obtufely, are very often verticillate, generally 3 or 

 4 in a whorl, and, when not regularly fo, have always a vifible ten- 

 dency to that difpofition. 



The frudification confifts of globular tubercles feflile on the fides 

 of the fmaller branches, fo minute as fcarcely to be diftinguilhed 

 by the naked eye, bright red, and when filled with feeds, nearly 

 black. The colour of the fpecimens we have feen is a pale watery 

 red ; but it is not improbable but it may be fometimes found mix- 

 ed with green, this change being obfervable in mod of the gelati- 

 nous fuel. In a very young (late its finer branches are fometimes 



fo 



