T. 
p pL 
FUCUS DISTICHUS, Linn, AS ANS IRISH PLANT. 
By Wriuiam CARRUTHERS, Esq., F.L.S. 
(PLATE XII.) 
This interesting addition to the Fuci of the United Kingdom was 
noticed in this Journal (page 283), under the name of Fucus furcatus, 
Ag. ; subsequent and more careful examination has, however, shown that 
itis a Linnean species found in northern Europe, but hitherto not noticed 
nearer our shores than the Faroe Islands. It was discovered by Pro- 
fessor Harvey and N. B. Ward, Esq., on the 19th of last July, at Kil- 
ee. They found it growing very plentifully near low-water mark, on 
the perpendieular western face of the Duggerna rock, the face of which 
is exposed to the Atlantic. It occurred in the greatest abundance, 
__ forming a beautiful fringe on a narrow ledge three or four feet from the 
base of the rock; and it probably occurs on other parts of the western 
shore of Ireland; but these two eminent botanists had not, when they 
discovered it, time for further exploring a coast which is not altogether 
—. attended with danger. 
. The following descriptions have been drawn up from a large series of 
Irish specimens in the herbaria of the British Museum, N. B. Ward, 
+ and Mrs. Gray, some of which were communicated by Professor 
Harvey. The Irish plant differs somewhat from the published descrip- 
tions of the species, The stipes in our specimens is short and cylindrical, 
_ Whereas it is described by Agardh and Turner as filiform, and about the 
4 ve . : E 
thickness of a sparrow's quill, and it is so figured iu * Flora Danica’ and 
| n Turner’s ‘Fuci? This peculiarity in the Irish plants might, however, 
be expected from the position in which they occur, exposed as they are 
| tothe full force of a very stormy ocean, just as the remarkable collection 
| of phenogamous plants made by Mr. Ward on the rocks above, exhibit 
Strange adaptations to the conditions under which they had to strive 
for existence, The most striking peculiarity, however, in the Kilkee 
3 Plants, is the form of the receptacle, which differs from the published 
descriptions (except that of Lyngbye) and all the figures, as well as from 
. the Newfoundland plant in the Herbarium of the British Museum. 
h it termi- 
€ receptacle is obviously wider than the segment whic 
5 9 
VOL, I. «aA 
