2b SYNOPSIS OF BRITISH SEAWEEDS. 



lanceolate, undivided frond, Lamour. Ess. p. 22. | Atlas, 

 PL VII. Pig. 28.) 

 Laminaria latifolia, Aq. Pucua Baocharinus, Linn. 

 Hah. Northern Ocean, extending round the world, and Atlantic 

 shores of Britain. Attached to rocks and stones near low- 

 water mark, and to the depth to five to ten fathoms. Per- 

 ennial. Very common. 

 Every visitant of the sea-shore must be familiar with one 

 form or other of this common plant, which forms a belt, 

 about low-water mark, round all our rocky shores, where 

 its long ribbon-like fronds wave gracefully in the water. 

 It is by no means confined however within these limits, 

 but grows in water from five to ten fathoms deep, attached 

 to shells and stones, when rocks are not to be had. In 

 such situations it often acquires a very large size. The 

 variety called by Agardh L. latifolia delights in deep water, 

 especially in sheltered bays and coves protected from the 

 ocean by small islands. In many such places on the west 

 of Ireland and Scotland, where the water is as clear as 

 crystal, the beautiful broad leaves of this variety may be 

 seen growing luxuriantly several fathoms below the boat 

 in which the observer is sailing over them. 



2S. Phyllitis {The har€s-tongue Laminaria) ; stipe short, sub- 

 compressed, gradually expanding into a linear-lanceolate, de- 

 licately membranaceous, undivided frond, Lam. Ess. p. 22. 

 (Atlas, PI. VIII. Fig. 29.) 

 Laminaria saccharina, var., Grev. Pucus Phyllitis, Stack. 

 Hab. Atlantic shores of Britain. On rocks and stones, in pools 

 left by the tide ; also in four or five fathoms water. Bien- 

 nial ? Summer. Not uncommon. 

 This plant has been observed by botanists from a very 

 early period, and almost invariably kept distinct from L. 

 saccharina, its nearest ally, by every author who has writ- 

 ten on the subject. Though there is a close resemblance, 

 there is a clear distinction at all ages between living plants: 

 L. saccharina being thicker, of darker colour, and with a 

 more abrupt base than L. Phyllitis, whose delicately mem- 

 branous nature, and strictly lanceolate form, are preserved 

 to a very large size. The latter also very rapidly changes 

 colour in fresh water, while the former may be preserved 

 for some hours in that medium. 



29. Fascia (The band Laminaria)-, stem very short, setaceous, 

 gradually expanding into a membranaceous, broadly -oblong, 



