r. wki:\< t m i; b, 83 



rabcylindrical, cartilaginous, bi-tripinnatifid, the di\ i 

 alternate ; the ultimate ones linear, erecto-patent, simple or 

 lob • Est. p. 1.2. (Am lb, PL \.\l\. Fig. L3 



Chondris pinnatifida, Ag. G^elidium pinnatifidum, Lyngh. Fuctlb 

 pinnatifidus, Om. V. multifidus, Suds. P, Osmunda, Om. 

 1\ filicinus, Lightf. 

 Hob. < >n Bubmarine rocks, from the extreme of high-watermark 

 t<> beyond the limit of low-water, Abundant. 

 Pew of the marine Algae exhibil a greater variety of 

 forms ami sizes than this. It commences to grow nearly 

 at high-water mark, covering the rocks with a stunted 

 vegetation, of a yellowish or livid green, scarcely larger 

 than the neighbouring Lichina pygmaa, ami continues in- 

 creasing in luxuriance with the increasing depth of water, 

 down to the region of the Laminaria, where it reaches 

 Jiest development, and perhaps extends to a greater 

 depth. Laurencia pinnatifida lias often, though not in- 

 variably, a hot and biting taste, and v\as formerly eaten in 

 Scotland under the name of Pepper Dulse. ]t doe- no1 

 appear to have ever been in much repute as an article of 

 food, and its use is now rare. 



136. csespitosa (The tufted Laurencia) ; frond cylindrical or 

 Bubcompressed, narrow, repeatedly pinnate, pyramidal ; main 

 branches often opposite, erecto-patent ; ramuli irregularly 

 ttered, distichous or spreading on all side>, often crowded, 

 erect, slightly tapering to the base, truncate, Lamour. Ess. 

 p. i:;. (Atlas, PI. XXXI. Fig. l W.) 



Laurencia hybrida, Lenorm, L. pinnatifida, var., Orev. Fucus 

 hybridus, DC. 



Hob. On .-tone- and Bhells, within tide-marks; rarely growing 

 on other small Algffl. Annual. Summer. Common. 



This species has been generally considered by British 



authors to he a variety of the preceding. \^ we take ordi- 

 nary specimens of /,. pinnatifida and compare them with 



specimens of OUT present plant, they appear distinct 



!i ; hut narrow and Ql-grown individuals i)i' the 



former species come very close, it must be confessed, t<> 



the latter. The chief characters of L. ca Spitasa are a 



cylindrical frond, with alternate and very erect ramuli. 



The latter characters and the very lurid colour distinguish 



it from I- obtusa. 



I'M. obtusa (7V//- obtust Laurencia); frond cylindrical, filiform, 

 repeatedly pinnate; branches patent; pinna? and pinnulse 

 mostly opposite, the ultimate pinnules veri Bhort and 



