LAMINARIACE^E. 51 



truly the growth of our shores, but wafted hither, as 

 extra- European productions sometimes are, by the force 

 of currents." Since this was written, specimens have 

 been dredged at Plymouth, and others picked up in 

 Jersey. I do not hesitate, therefore, to express my opi- 

 nion that this rare and interesting species is entitled to 

 a place among our native Sea-weeds. 



Order III. LAMINARIACEiE. 



Fronds without joints. Spores superficial, either forming 

 cloud-like patches, or covering the ivhole surface of the 

 frond. 



Genus XI. ALARXA. 



Root fibrous. Erond stalked, with a strong midrib 

 throughout its length ; stem winged with ribless leaflets, 

 which contain the fructification. Spores pear-shaped, ar- 

 ranged in oblong sori. — Alaria, from the Latin ala, a wing. 



There are about five known species of Alaria, which 

 are distributed over the northern shores of the Atlantic 

 and Pacific oceans. 



Alaria esculenta. Eatable Alaria, or Badder- 

 locks. 



Frond elongated, lance-shaped, entire ; rib narrow ; leaf- 

 lets linear-oblong or wedge-shaped. 



The midrib of this plant is eaten in Ireland and Scot- 

 land, and in some of the adjacent islands ; hence the spe- 

 cific name esculenta. 



Genus XII. LAMIWARIA. 



Frond leathery or membranous, flat, with a stalk, but no 



e 2 



