THE SHORES OF BRITAIN. 5f 



forms are found in the winter, affixed to the mid- 

 rib, which alone survives that season, the foliaceous 

 part having all decayed away. The one mode is 

 by means of nearly globular capsules attached to 

 the rib by short foot-stalks, and inclosing many ir- 

 regularly-shaped seeds ; the other is by small mem- 

 branaceous, leaf-like processes, likewise containing 

 seeds. These two kinds of fructification occur on 

 distinct individuals. This charming fucus, of which 

 no adequate idea can be formed, by a verbal de- 

 scription, retains much of its beauty when dried, 

 and is very easily preserved. It is a pity that I am 

 obliged to confess that its odour is very unpleasant, 

 being rank and pungent. 



Some of those species, wdiose fronds are very de- 

 licately and numerously ramified, have been used 

 to form mimic pictures. By skilful arrangement, 

 very pretty landscapes are thus made, the forms and 

 foliage of trees being beautifully imitated. The 

 kinds most commonly appropriated for this purpose 

 are Plocamium coccineum and Gelidium eartilagi- 

 neum, which have a very beautiful eifect if simply 

 expanded on smooth white paper, or on the pearly 

 inner surface of large shells. The whole order Flo- 

 ridece } to which these belong, is remarkable for bril- 

 liant hues, and often elegant forms. 



Like their kindred, the plants of the earth and air, 

 the sea- weeds have their parasites. As the Tilland- 

 sia grows on the giants of the tropical forests, and as 

 the mistletoe grows upon the apple-tree of our own 

 orchards, so do some of these draw their nourish- 

 ment, or at least derive their support, from the fronds 



