Fig. 344. ULVA LINZA. 



Colour. A fine grass-green, fading in tlie herbarium. 

 Substance. Membranaceous; soft and thin. 



Character of Frond. A long, narrow, ribless, leaf -like expansion, with 

 curled and wavy margins; either blunt or pointed at top, always 

 tapering to the base. 



Measurement. From 6 inches to 2 feet long; from \ inch to 2 inches wide. 



Fructification. As before. 



Habitat. Our coasts generally. On rocks, &c. at half-tide level. Not 

 uncommon. 



The structure of the Ulva has another peculiarity. It is formed of two 

 membranes (each one cell thick) so closely laid together, that their existence as 

 two can only be ascertained by microscopic investigation. 



Fig. 345. PORPHYRA LACINIATA. 



Colour. Dull purple when growing; occasionally greenish; becoming bright 

 and very glossy when steeped in fresh water and afterwards laid out 

 and dried. 



Substance. Delicately membranaceous; sometimes extremely thin; sometimes 

 thicker and firmer. 



Character of Frond. A flat, broad, ribless expansion; sometimes irregularly 

 divided, or torn; sometimes growing in an irregular circle from a 

 central root. One or more from one base. 



Measurement. From 4 to 8 inches or more across. 



Fructification. Minute seeds {zoospores) formed of the colouring matter in 

 the cells (four together) of which the frond-membrane is composed; 

 and in due time dropping out. 



Ilahitat. Our coasts generally. On rocks, &c. within the range of the tide. 

 Common. 



This is the laver sold in jars in the shops, and is a great delicacy when 

 stewed and eaten hot with lemon-juice. But it should be served up like Hans 

 Andersen's white snails, in a silver dish with a spirit-lamp underneath. It is 

 called slohe, or slohaun, in Scotland and Ireland, where it is often gathered for 

 food under that or some other odd name. At Miltown Malbay and Kilkee, it 

 is called "libherum." 



