THE SHORES OF BRITAIN. : 5% 
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, whose 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 cartilagi- 
neum, which have a very beautiful effect if simply 
expanded on smooth white paper, or on the pearly 
inner surface of large shells. The whole order Flo- 
ride, 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 Zilland- 
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 
