86 
LAMINARIACEiE. — Nereocystis. 
IY. 
five petioles: but in the division of these petioles, there never exists such a sym- 
metry as that the fifth is found exactly in the centre and opposite to the point of 
insertion of the stipes at the vesicle ; rather, there are three on one side, and two 
only on the other. In some rare instances I noticed but four leaf-stems, two on 
either side. The summit of the vesicle always presented an open space : the leaves 
are lanceolate, sharply attenuated at both extremities, their substance like the 
frond of Laminaria Phyllitis, about one and a half to two feet long, and measuring 
two inches in their greatest breadth ; some longitudinal nerves appear, of uncertain 
number, running from the base of the leaf to the middle, where they are lost in 
the substance. Such is the configuration of this fucus in a young state ; when 
older it alters so as to be scarcely recognisable, and then only acquires that remark- 
able appendage, which I shall now proceed to explain. In advanced age, the stipes 
becomes immensely long, without however increasing proportion ably in thickness ; 
for whilst it remains at the base of the stoutness of packthread, its diameter, at 
ten or fifteen fathoms’ distance, scarcely measures two and a half lines. Gradually 
the vesicle changes into a turnip-shaped or retort-like cylinder, more than a 
fathom long, measuring at its broadest dimension that supports the leaf near the 
end, 4 — 6 inches or even more in diameter, while the lower end gradually, and 
quite imperceptibly, loses itself in the stipes. The formation of the frond keeps an 
equally gradual advance : the leaves described above are numerously divided in 
their length, the nerves of the young leaves indicating their future points of separa- 
tion. Entangled at their bases by matting together, these attain a very great length 
and an equal increase of breadth ; the tuft now covering an immense surface with 
its crowded masses. In one specimen, by no means the largest, which I examined, 
I calculated that there were upwards of fifty leaves, each twenty-seven feet long. 
The Russians call this fucus (to which I had previously given the name of Lutkeanus , 
in honour of our worthy commander, who daily shows himself more zealous in 
favouring our natural history labours) See Otter Kohl , or the Sea Otter’s Cabbage. 
The valuable animal, Lutra marina , makes particular choice of this seaweed as its 
favourite refuge and residence; delighting to rock and sleep on the long cylindrical 
bladders, which, like enormous sea-serpents, float on the surface of the water, and 
individually sweep between the little islands, rendering the channels impassible, even 
for boats. From the information that I collected from various Russians and Aleu- 
tians concerning its duration, this fucus is annual. In autumn it is cast in great 
quantities on shore by the then prevalent storms, where it soon decays, and in spring 
not the least trace of it is to be seen. The Aleutians employ the stipes, which are 
said sometimes to be forty-five fathoms long, for fishing lines : I purchased one of 
them. I once saw the Kadiakensers, in Sitcha, make use of the cylinder as a siphon, 
for pumping the water out of their Beidarkas ; a use to which it is well known 
that the F. buccinalis is often applied at the Cape of Good Hope. Owing to the 
moist climate of Sitcha, the drying of this sea-weecl is attended with considerable 
difficulty. I hardly ever succeeded in preserving a tolerable specimen of the 
cylinder or bladder, though I bestowed much pains and labour on the operation, for 
this part generally dissolves completely, or if dried, the leaves then become brittle as 
glass, and fall to pieces with the slightest touch. The opening of the bladder and 
