LAMIN ■ \n \n:.i:. 28 



wedge-shaped, lanceolate, or linear Erond, Ag. Syn. p, \w. 



(An lb, PL \ 111. Fig. 30.) 

 Laminaria debilis, Ag. L. cuneata, Suhr. L. papyrina, 



Fucua fascia, /•'/. Dan. 

 7/^/y. Atlantic Bhoree of Britain. On sand-covered submarine 



rockfl and Btones in the m;i, near low-water mark. Annual. 



Summer. 

 At firs! Bighl tin" forms of "Laminaria fascia figured for 



this species appeal* to be distinct, the long strap-sha] f 



one contrasting with the broadly ovate form of the other. 

 Bui the slight importance to be attached to such variations 

 becomes at once evident to any observer who collects the 

 plant in any quantity, on its native rock, and to whom spe- 

 cimens ranging from the broadest to the narrowest, occur 

 in the same locality. From a very extensive suite of spe- 

 cimens from several parts of the coast, and of all shapes 

 and sizes. I have selected a few Wn' illustration, in which a 

 gradation of form is well shown from the broad, abruptly 

 stipitate L. debilis to the 4 ribbon-like L.fascia. In uniting 

 these under one specific head. I of course preserve the tri- 

 vial name which was first proposed. 



X I IT. CHORDA. 



30. filum (The thread Chorda)] frond cartilaginous, lubricous, 

 clothed with pellucid hairs, filiform, very Long, taperin 

 each extremity, not constricted at the dissepiments, Latnour. 

 Ess. p. 26. (Atlas, PL VIII. Fig. 31.) 

 Chordaria filum, Ag. Scytosiphon fihnn, .-///. Fucus filum, Linn, 

 F. tendo, TSsper. Ceramium filum, Both. Chorda tomen- 

 tosa, Tjyngh. 

 Hob. North Atlantic. On rod.- and stones in the sea, commenc- 

 ing within tide-marks, and extending in still water to the 

 depth of ten or fifteen fathoms. Annual. Summer and. 

 autumn. Very abundant. 

 Few pei-sons can vi>it the coast withoul becoming fami- 

 liar with this common plant, w Inch is to be found in greafc r 

 or less perfection on all our shores. Hut it is in (piiet Land- 

 locked hays, with a Bandy pr somewhat muddy bottom, and 

 in from three to >i\ fathoms water, that it reaches its 

 greatest size. In such places it frequently forms extensive 

 sul mm ri ne meadows, so dense as Benouslj to affect the pas- 

 f boats, and to endanger the life of the unfortunate 

 swimmer w ho may chance to become entangled in its slimy 

 cords, which when growing have considerable tenacity. 



