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XVIII. Defcrlptton of Conferva umbillcataj a new Plant, from 



New South Wales. 



By Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Velley, F. L. S. 

 Read Ju/y 2, 1799. 



CONFERVA UMBILICATA. 



Conferva fronde dilatata filameiitis reticulatis, centro radical!. 



TAB. VII. 



THIS fingular vegetable produflion was difcovered by accident 

 on the ftem of a large Fucus from New South Wales*. — After 

 having placed the latter in water for the fpace of three or four days, 

 a very fine filmy fubftance was obferved floating clofe to the ftem, 

 which immediately collapfed, and was fcarcely difcoverable when 

 the Fucus was taken out of the veflel. Upon a more minute invef- 

 tigation, two or three feparate plants were found ftrongly attached 

 to. the ftem; all of which, from their extreme tenuity, were in 

 fome degree torn. 



The frond of the largeft might be between three and four inches 

 diameter ; it probably was of greater extent .in its perfe£t ftate, 

 and feemed to favour a circular mode of growth. The bafe is 

 fomewhat central, and from it proceed two or three apparently 



• Sent by GovernoT Hunter, •who very laudably made a colleflion of plants for the 

 purpofe of promoting Natural Hiftory. 



Vol. V. Z membra- 



