the Bnti/J} Fuci\ ivlth pcn-llcular Befcripticm of each Specks. 231 



other orders are extremely fhort, ufually much crowded together in 

 ckifters. The whole frond is very tender and tranfparenr. In dry- 

 ing it often afTumes a dark or black red colour. 



It feems to be a parafitical plant, as its root appears ufually alto- 

 gether entangled in a mafs of fome fine Confava, matted like the 

 C. bullofa. It is by no means an uncommon plant. 



It is very rarely to be met with in fruftification. The frudifica- 

 tion is very minute, feflile tubercles, containing feeds, fituated at 

 the ends, and on the fides of the fmaller branches. We have feen 

 fome Conferva with fimilar appearances *. 



WE have thus en-Jeavoured to make out as complete a catalogue 

 of the Britiili fpecies as our prefent means and opportunities have 

 enabled us to afcertain. Wc have had to wait yeax after year for the 

 appearance of fru£tification in fome fpecies which rarely occur in 

 that ftate. Some few have never yet appeared to us with any fign 

 of flower or tubercle at all. F. Ugulatus and totnentofus, in particular, 

 are extremely equivocal in this refpe6t. But from fome late com- 

 munications from Mr. Stackhoufe, we have reafon to expedt that 

 the fruflification of totnentofus will not long remain concealed. 



* In our Synoptic Table we have called this plant Fucus capillaris, upon a fuppofitlon 

 that Mr. Hudfon had defigned tliis plant under that denomination. But fince the print- 

 ing of that part. Sir Thomas Frankland, Bart. F. R. S. has honoured us with fome very 

 valuable communications. Among other things he has fent us fpecimens of Hudfon's 

 real capillaris, and has alTured us that this is Conferva Bsjjoides of Mr. Lightfoot's MSS. 

 We have therefore adopted that trivial name. But we differ from Mr.iightfoot, in af- 

 fociating it with the genus Fucus, for reafons above mentioned. It is too late now to 

 avail ourfelves of Sir Thomas Frankland's remarks ; but thefe and other matters, which 

 have come to our knowledge fince the conclufion of this traft, will be the fubjed of a 

 fupplementary paper. 



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