Fig. 23. ALAEIA ESCULENTA. 



Colour. A fine, bright olive when young; olive-brown when old. 



Substance. Thin and tender, all but the midrib, which is gristly. 



Character of Frond. A long, flat, ribbon-like, midribbed leaf. It grows on 

 a stem, which at a certain age puts forth several small, flat, ribless 

 leaflets on each side. Margins entire, except when torn. Root fibrous. 



Measurement. From 2 to 12 feet or more, long. 



Fructification. Minute seeds [siwres) imbedded in the leaflets which fringe 

 the stem, thickening and darkening them. 



Habitat. Our northern shores generally. On rocks at low-water mark. 



Plentiful in tho lower ledges of rocks on the north side of Filey Bridge. The 

 midrib is said to be eaten in many places. 



Fig. 24. LAMINAEIA DIGITATA. 



Colour. From green to brownish olive; varying according to age. 

 Substance. Very tough; leathery. 



Character of Frond. A flat, leafy expansion; ribless; growing from a stem. 

 Stem, when full-grown, solid; woody; as thick as a walking-stick; 

 from 1 to 6 feet long. Eo^yansion, rounded below; above, cut 

 (except in extreme infancy) into several narrow slips {segments). Root, 

 woody fibres. 



Measurement. Stem, from 1 to 6 feet long. Expansion, from 1 to 5 feet 

 long; from 1 to 3 feet wide. 



Fructification. Minute seeds [sijores) imbedded here and there in the surface 

 of the frond, thickening it, and forming cloudy patches. 



Habitat. Our coasts generally. On rocks at low- water mark; common. 



Popularly known as "The Great Tangle," "Oar-weed," or "Sea Girdles." 

 The figure represents a plant which has just changed its coat; having grown 

 a new one and thrust the old out of house and home ! A sort of moulting in 

 fact, on the principle of a deciduous tree, changing its leaves. The stem should 

 have been coloured darker, being the older growth. The process is charac- 

 teristic of the Laminarias. 



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