120 BRITISH SEA-WEEDS. 



in certain states very diflScult to distinguish from each 

 other. In many localities the specimens of this genus 

 are very numerous, and form quite a noticeable feature 

 of the shore vegetation. I remember being much struck 

 with the appearance of the coast of Yorkshire, some 

 miles to the north of "Whitby, where a stunted growth of 

 L. pinnatifida, turned yellow by exposure, clothed the 

 black rocks between the tide-marks to the extent of 

 many acres, and glistened in the sun as brightly as 

 the yellow lichen on an alpine mountain. 



Iiaurencia pinnatifida. Pepper Dulse. 



Frond flattened, cartilaginous, much divided, from one to 

 seven or eight inches high, of a dull purple colour, which 

 is frequently changed to yellow by exposure ; branches alter- 

 nate, toothed, blunt at the tip. Spores in ovate, sessile con- 

 ceptacles ; tetraspores imbedded irregularly in the upper 

 part of the branchlets. 



This plant is found in abundance on almost every part 

 of our coast, and is widely distributed in other regions. 

 In certain states it has a hot biting taste, and in conse- 

 quence of this peculiarity is called Pepper Dulse, under 

 which name it was formerly eaten in Scotland. It va- 

 ries in size, form, and colour, according to the situation 

 in which it grows; those specimens which are found 

 near high-water mark are small and stunted, and usu- 

 ally of a brown or yellow colour, while those which grow 

 in deeper water, and are less exposed, are larger, broader, 

 and dark-brown or purple. 



Laurencia csespitosa. Tufted Laurencia. 



Frond cylindrical, narrow, repeatedly pinnate, pyramidal. 



