the Britijl} Fuel, with particular Defcriptiofis of each Species. 



211 



This fpccies is diftinguiflied from confervoides by its fhorter 

 growth — by being more branched, the branches ufually pointing one 

 way, and the fmaller ones attenuated at their bafe — and by the larger 

 fize and different fliape of the tubercles; which when mature are 

 deprelTed and umbilicated, exadlly relembling the fhields of fome 

 'Lichens. From ptirpurafcens it differs fufficiently in having lateral 

 tubercles, and, as before mentioned, its branches pointing one way. 

 It is unneceffary to point out any diftindlions from the reft of this 

 divifion. 



The principal branches, which feparate almoft immediately from 

 the root, and generally in a dichotomous form, are in this plant 

 furniflied with very numerous fecondary branches, growing mofily 

 from the upper fide, and thefe are again befet with fmaller : thefe 

 branches are always fmaller towards the bafe ; arifing as it were 

 from a point, and then fwelling; and are again tapered towards 

 the fummit. The fructification has been fully defcribed. The 

 colour is generally whitifh, but fometimes with a tinge of brown or 

 purple. 



It is well defcribed by Ginelin, p. 136 ; but the figure is not equal ; 

 the tubercles being reprefented too fmall, and the twifted appearance 

 being probably the cffefl of drying. Mr. Hudfon has referred to 

 albus Gm. p. 138, as well as to vcrnicofus', but the former is defcribed 

 as having the tubercles all axillary, and muft therefore be a dif- 

 ferent fpecies. He alfo refers to R. Syn. 50. ' F. teres albus tenu- 

 IJime divifus,' which is clearly purpurafcens ;.■ thefruftification being 

 defcribed as furrounding the branch, and not lateral, as in this 

 fpecies. We cannot find any fpecies in Ray fufficiently certain to 

 be quoted. 



It adheres by its flrong cartilagineous fibres to the rocks at We)-- 

 mouth and Chriftchurch, and elfewhere on the foutheru coafb ; 



E e 2 and 



