viduals having a flat lobed frond, and others a cup-shaped frond 
fixed by a central point. But all its forms are easily recognized, 
and may be traced by insensible gradations, one into the other. 
The genus Porphyra is anomalous among the Chlorosperms, 
having the colour of the more perfectly organized Rhodosperms. 
From these latter it differs in its diffused fructification, and in 
this respect perfectly agrees with the Ulvacee, among which it 
is placed. 
This species, together with the closely allied P. vulgaris, is 
sometimes brought to table in England under the name of Laver ; 
and in Scotland and Ireland under that of S/oke, Slouk, or 
Sloukawn. After many hours boiling the frond is reduced to a 
somewhat slimy pulp, of a dark brown colour, which is eaten 
with pepper and lemon-juice or vinegar, and has an agreeable 
flavour to those who have once conquered the repugnance to 
taste it, which its great ugliness mduces, and many persons are 
very fond of it. It might become a valuable article of diet, in the 
absence of other vegetables, to the crews of our whaling vessels 
cruising in high latitudes, where every marine rock, at half-tide, 
abundantly produces it. In its prepared state it may be pre- 
served for an indefinite time in closed tin-vessels. 
Fig. 1. PorpHYRA LACINIATA :—0f the natural size. 2. Small portion of the 
frond, showing the quaternate granules :—maguified. 
