2r6 Dr. CooiD'Ei^ovGH and ^f/•. Woodward'j Ohfervalions orr 



CLila conferta, ramulos omnes apicefque ramorum obveftientia — la 

 unoquoque tuberculo femen unicum minutum obovatum, hinc 

 acutum pallidum, pofl exficcationem rubicundum. Occurrit, fed 

 rarius, veficulis globolis feflilibus, minutis. 



We have been well aflured that this plant is the ulva capillaris 

 of Mr. Hudfon. The frudlification, however, which we have re- 

 peatedly examined in a recent ftate, under a very high magnifier, 

 proves it beyond all doubt to be a Fucus. It has nothing in com- 

 mon with the genus Ulva^ but its tender gelatinous fubftance. But 

 this circumftance is no generic character. 



In its habit, form and manner, it approaches fomewhat to F.. 

 pedunctilatus ; but it is fufficiently diftinft by being very ramofe, and 

 not fimply pinnated, by the laft divifions of its branches being linear 

 and acute at each end, and not in the form of ovate-oblong pedun- 

 culated capfules : then it is a much fmaller plant, and is parafitical, 

 growing very frequent on the coarfer Fuci, particularly on F. veji- 

 culofus. The colour in both thefe plants is alike pale. 



Left any one may imagine that there is any danger of confound- 

 ing it with afparagoides, it may be juft mentioned, that the colour is 

 always pale, and never red ; and that it never has glohote peduncu- 

 lated tubercles, or any oppofition to its branches. 



In a recent ftate the feeds are nearly of the colour of the branches; 

 but, when dried, they feem to be of fomewhat a reddifh colour. 



It may be found adhering to the loofe ftones on the neck of the 

 Ifle of Portland ; and under 'fhe Look-out at Weymouth we found 

 it plentifully on the coarfer Fuci, a little way beyond the low-water 

 mark. 



Its fine pale capillary branches (always alternate) make a pretty 

 appearance floating in the water ; and at once dift;inguilh it from all 



others. 



