1:32 Mr. Turner's Defcripuons of 



from Oporto. by a gentleman who gathered it there in the month of 

 September 1798, that 1 can have very httle doubt cf its being one 

 of the moft common weeds of that ihore. It is altogether a con- 

 nc6ling link between two fpecies, by no means nearly allied to each 

 other, Fucus cflfpus and Fucus rubens., with each of which it has 

 many points in common, though fufficiently removed from the one 

 as well as the other. It agrees in texture and fubftance with the for- 

 vaxx^ and in general habit with the latter,, but may at firft fight be 

 with eafe diftinguilhed from both by the branches always preferving- 

 their Hnear form, and being divided at the extiemities in a manner 

 iomewhat fimilar to thofe of Fucus bifidus. The colour too, as far as- 

 I have ohferved, differs from that of every other Britilli Fucus; of a 

 dark red, inclining to brown, moft rapidly changing, if expofed to 

 the air or kept in freili water, to a- dull dirty yellow: my Dover fpe- 

 cimens, when placed in a ftrong light, are of a fine pink at the end 

 of the frond. But the moft ftriking peculiarities of this fpecies are the 

 minutely crenulated edges, which cannot fail of being remarked by 

 the moft inattentive obferver, and the fruftification, which confifts 

 of pale fleflvcoloured tubercles of the fizc of a pin's head, plenti- 

 fully fcattered upon each fide of the frond, efpecially towards the 

 extremities,, in their earlieft ftage immerfed, but foon burfting; 

 through the epidermis, and not continuing covered with it, as in all 

 other fpecies with which I am acquainted except Fucus radiatuSy 

 felfile, of a fubftance inclining to fp.ongy, and very different from 

 the reft of this plant : when dry they turn to a dark brown, and 

 entirely lofe their natural appearance. The habit of this Fucus in 

 a frefh ftate, appears to me to be much twifted, and in,fome branches 

 almofl fpiral. From analogy I have no hefitation in concluding 

 that it is perennial, and Mr. Dillwyn's fpecimens as well as tholie. 

 brought me, from Oporto leave no doubt as to its.fruditying in the 

 autumnal months. . 



Fucu5 • 



