96d CRYPTOGAMIA ALGJE. 



Jointed Fucus. Anglis, 



Upon the fea-rocks about low-water mark not 

 unfrequent. We obferved it on the coaft of 

 Jura, Oranfay Canay^ Skye, &c. VIII. 



The color is red or pale purple. The fubRance 

 membranaceous; the joints inflated. The 

 height from one to two inches ; rarely three 

 inches. 



The whole plant, with all its branches, is jointed 

 throughout. The joints are hollow, cylindri- 

 cal, but contracted at each end, and united in 

 a feries. The branches grow generally oppofite, 

 but often three or four in a whirl -, their ex- 

 tremities or fubdivifions commonly dichoto- 

 mous. 



The plant, when in fru6lification, has fmall joints 

 growing in whirls at the heads of the larger 

 ones. In thefe joints, and in thofe at thefum- 

 mits of the branches, clufters of dark red feeds 

 are vifibly imbedded. 

 This plant ferves to fiiew how nearly related are 

 the three Genera of FUCHfUS, uf^, and 

 CONFERVA. If the feeds had no" certain 

 lodgments, but were vaguely difpers'd in any 

 part of the fubftance of the plant indifferently, 

 it then would properly be rank'd under the 

 Genus of ULVA. Its jointed ftrufture demon- 

 ftrates its great affinity to the family of CON- 

 FERVA i 



