60 THE OCEAN. 



bulbosa, and the larger specimens of L. digitata and 

 saccharina, with some small kinds, as Ithodomenia 

 palmata, Halidrys siliquosa, and Delesseria sanguined. 

 In places uncovered only at the lowest ebbs, smaller 

 plants of L. digitata and saccharina abound with 

 Himanthalia lorea, or Sea-thongs. On the beaches 

 uncovered by every tide, F. serratus occurs lowest 

 down, along with Chondrus crispus and mammilhsus ; 

 next comes F. nodosus, and higher up, F. vesiculosus. 

 Beyond this, F. canaliculatus still grows, thriving 

 very well if only wet at flood tide, though liable 

 to become dry and shrivelled during a great part of 

 the day. Lastly, Lichina pygmoea is satisfied if it be 

 within reach of the spray."* 



In examining these Algse, and especially if we 

 collect them for preservation, we shall find very fre- 

 quently entangled among them, branches of a sub- 

 stance which adheres with so much tenacity as to 

 cause no little trouble in cleansing the specimens. 

 I refer to the common Coralline {Corallina offici- 

 nalis). No organic substances have so much divided 

 naturalists in opinion as to their real nature as the 

 Corallines. Evidently placed on the very verge of 

 the animal or vegetable kingdom, it required a 

 minute acquaintance with their structure, derived 

 from the closest observation, and all the research 

 of modern science, to decide the long uncertain 

 question, and to fix them where they now by com- 

 mon consent hold their place among the vegetable 



tribes. The one of which I speak, and the most 

 % 

 *Bdin. Encyc. Art, "Fuel." Most of the species ben alludwd to I 

 havo described above. 





