960 CRYPTOGAMIA ALG7E. 



Jointed Fucus. Anglis, 



Upon the fea-rocks about low-water mark not 

 unfrequent. We obferved it on the coaft of 

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



The color is red or pale purple. The fubftance 

 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 fructification, 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, cluflers of dark red feeds 

 are vifibly imbedded. 



This plant ferves to fhew how nearly related are 

 the three Genera of FUCUlj(S, ULA, and 

 CONFERVA. If the feeds had no certain 

 lodgments, but were vaguely difpers'd in any 

 part of the fubfbance of the plant indifferently, 

 it then would properly be rank'd under the 

 Gems of ULVA. Its jointed flrufture demon- 

 ftrates its great affinicy to the family of CON- 

 FERVA 5 



