FUCUS (THALLUS) 



2OI 



The slight notch at the tip of each branch of the frond harbours 

 an apical cell by whose divisions growth is effected. The paired 

 air-bladders (Fig. 108, a.b.), which appear as occasional large 

 swellings on either side of the midrib, and to which the specific 



FIG. 108. Fucus. On the left, part of a thallus of the Bladder Wrack 

 (F. vesiculosus] ; on the right, of the Serrated Wrack (F. serratus). 

 a.b., air-bladder ; /., fertile conceptacles ; m., midrib of thallus ; 

 s., sterile conceptacles, 



name is due, increase the buoyancy of the plant when submerged, 

 and may also, like the air-canals of aquatic Phanerogams, serve 

 for purposes of respiration. 



Scattered irregularly over the whole surface of the frond are 

 slightly protruding dots (Fig. 108, s.) marking the positions of 



