seaweed was something more than a mere holdfast. Yet epi- 
phytic (or parasitic) attachment has not always the same effect 
on this plant ; for the simplest form of this species is undoubtedly 
found on the stems of Laminaria digitata, and authors give the 
same stems as a habitat for the finely cut variety, sodolifera. 
My own experience would confine this variety to the stems of 
Fucus serratus and vesiculosus. 
The extensive list of synonyms given in the description shows 
a large number of book species formed out of the varieties of this 
plant. Most of these are admitted by modern authors to be, what 
I have considered them, merely forms of 2. palmata. But my 
var e. has hitherto, in British works, maintained its place under 
the name &. sobolifera. I can only say that I can in no respect 
distinguish specimens which I have received from Orkney, the 
original British habitat of 2. sodolifera, from others collected 
on the Irish coast which I have clearly traced, through connecting 
forms, into the common pa/mata. Iam therefore at a loss to 
know on what character to uphold sodolifera. Colour and sub- 
stance are here too variable to allow of their being taken into 
account; some of the most pinky and delicately membranous 
specimens which I possess, have the outline of the true pa/mata, 
not of sobolifera. 
In Ireland and Scotland this plant is much used by the poor, 
as a relish with their food. It is commonly dried, in its unwashed 
state, and eaten raw, the flavour being brought out by long 
chewing. On many parts of the west coast of Ireland, it forms 
the only addition to potatoes, in the meals of the poorest class. 
The variety which grows on mussel shells between tide marks is 
preferred, being less tough than other forms, and the minute 
mussel shells and other small shell-fish which adhere to its folds 
are nowise unpleasing to the consumers of this simple luxury, 
who rather seem to enjoy the additional gout imparted by the 
cranched mussels. In the Mediterranean this plant is used in a 
cooked form, entering into ragouts and made dishes; and it 
forms a chief ingredient in one of the soups recommended, under 
the name of “St. Patrick’s Soup,” by M. Soyer to the starving 
Trish peasantry. 
Fig. 1. RHoODYMENIA PALMATA, var a. 2. The same, var. ¢:—doth the natural 
size. 
