and most compound, the upper more simple, and the ultimate ones fre- 
quently quite simple and spine-like, in which case the apex of the branch 
runs out in along acumination. Pinne and pinnule \inear, obtuse, in- 
serted at wide angles or somewhat horizontal, but the apices usually curved 
inwards, so as to make the general direction of the ramulus erecto-patent. 
Substance cartilaginous, tough. Colour, when quite recent, a very dark 
brown-red or purplish-red, but after exposure passing through scarlet, 
orange, yellow, and light green, to white. 
oo 
This fine species was first introduced to the British Flora by 
Mr. Turner, in his Syzopsis (1802), on the authority of specimens 
collected by Dr. Withering ; but in the Historia Fucorum (1809) 
its British habitat is, as Dr. Greville observes, altogether omitted, 
and it is not alluded to in any way asa British plant. In 
English Botany it is retamed on the authority of Dr. Withering’s 
specimens, which are said to have been collected a short time 
before that author’s death. The Fucus cartilagineus of his work 
(vol. iv. p. 119) has no reference to these specimens, but is 
merely copied from Hudson (Fl. Ang. 586), whose synonym is 
commonly referred to Spherococcus coronopifolius. 
I am indebted to Miss Gifford for a specimen, from which 
the figure now given has been prepared, and which forms a part 
of a tuft of fronds picked up on the shore near Ryde, by Mr. 
Sheppard. I do not, however, consider the claims of this plant 
to be regarded as British at all increased by the discovery of 
these specimens, which were probably thrown overboard from 
some ship at Spithead, and wafted ashore. They have all the 
appearance of being Cape-grown: in size and colour, and whole 
aspect, they are identical with the usual specimens brought by 
sailors from that coast. Were the plant of British growth we 
should expect to find 'some’characteristic mark, or, at least, that it 
would be thrown up from the sea in an unbleached state. From 
the geographical range of this plant, it is highly improbable that 
it should be a native of our shores. ‘ The nearest point to our 
shores of any of its well-ascertained habitats, is at the Canary — 
Islands ; the Mediterranean habitats beimg very uncertain, and 
that in Finland evidently a mistake. 
-~ 
Fig. 1. GELIDIUM CARTILAGINEUM :—the natural size. 2. One of the pinne: 
—slightly magnified. . 
