occuirence, and very much resemble the capsules of the genus Laurencia
in structure.
G e n u s X X X. RHODOMELA, Tab. X III.
G e n . C h a k . Frond cylindrical or compressed, filiform, much
branched, coriaceo-cartiiaginous (the apex sometimes involute).
Fructification ; 1. subglobose capsules, containing
free pear-shaped seeds ; 2. pod-like receptacles,
with imbedded ternate granules.
O b s. Out of twenty species described by Agardh, I liave retained
only twelve to form the present genus ; and even among these, two or
more genera probably remain to be determined by future naturalists. In
Lamouroux’s system, the species known to him formed, with one exception,
a part of his genus Gigartina, the least natural one he ever
created. Two of the four British species have the apex of the branches
incurved. The structure of R. lycopodiodes and subfusca is similar.
In R. pinastroides and scorpioides it is very peculiar : in the former,
presenting the appeai'ance of articulations ; while in the latter, coloured
filaments pass through the elongated cellules of the stem.
The name appropriated by Agardh to these plants is significant of
the change that takes place, from a red to a black colour, after exposure
to the atmosphere.
* Summit o f the branches straight ( not involute J.
1. R h o d o m e l a l y c o p o d io id e s .
Frond cylindrical, elongated, mostly simple, presenting no appearance
of articulations, densely clothed with finely divided bushy ramuli,
intermixed with the setaceous remains of a former series at their base.
Rhodomela lycopodioides, Ag . S p . A lg . v . 1. p . 377* S y s t- A lg . p . 199. S p r e n g . S p . P I .
V. 4. p . m
Gigartina lycopodioides, L y n g b . H y d r o p h . D a n . p . 45. G r e v . F I . E d in . p . 289.
Fucus lycopodioides, L in n . S y s t . N a t . v . 2. p . 717- T u r n . S y n . F u c . p . 343. H i s t . F u c .
t . 12. S m . E n g . B o t. t . 1163.
H a b . In the sea, growing upon the stems of Laminaria digitata.
Perennial. In fructification from May to July, or perhaps longer.
Scarborough, Sir Thomas Frankland. Coast of Northumberland, at
Bate’s Island, Winch. Coast of Durham, Mr J. Thornhill. Cromer,
Mr Woodward. Coast of Antrim, Dr Scott. North of Scotland,
Mr Brodie. Staffa. Frith of Forth, opposite Seafield Tower.
Root a small disk. Fronds generally tufted, usually simple or at
most divided near the base into a few simple branches, six to eighteen
inches in length, filiform, naked for an inch or so at the bottom, where
it is as thick as small pack-thread: in winter clothed with a dense
mass of bristle-like rigid spreading ramuli, three to six lines in length :
in summer a number of new ramuli spring from the short old ones,
one or two inches in length, as fine as a hair, and much branched in a
bushy manner. Fructification: I. nearly globular capsules, contain-
iug pyriform seeds, situated on the summer branches : 2. clusters ot
lanceolate pod-like receptacles, with imbedded ternate granules produced
on young shoots given off by the old ramuli.
Substance cartilaginous, adhering very imperfectly, or not at all, to
paper. Colour a purplish or reddish-brown, becoming black in drying.
The name of this species is rather unfortunate, being only applicable
to its winter and battered state. In the summer its aspect is completely
changed, and in the water is extremely beautiful and feathery.
The figures in “ Fnglish Botany” and Historia Fucorum, represent the
winter state, but are otherwise characteristic, especially the latter. It
is altogether a northern species.
2. R h o d o m e l a s u b f u s c a .
Froud cylindrical, very much branched, without any appearance of
articulations, the ramuli subulate pinnate and clustered.
Rhodomela su ifusea, A g . S p . A lg . v . 1. p . 378. S y s t. A lg .p . 199. S p r e n g . S p . P I . v . 4 . p . 343.
Gigartina subfusca, L am o u r . E s s a i, p . 48. L y n g b . H y d r o p h . D a n . p . 47* 1 . 10. G re v .
F I . E d in . p . 289.
Fucus su b f uscus, W o o dw . in L in n . T r a n s , v . 1. p . 1 3 1 .1 . 12. T u r n . S y n . F u c . p . 350.
H i s t . F u c . 1 . 10. S m . E n g . F I . t . 1164.
Fucus variabilis G o o d e n , a n d W o o dw . in L in n . T r a n s , v . 3. p . 220.
H a b . In the sea, growing on rocks and other Algce^ Biennial ?
April to September. Cromer, Woodward. Most common on the
Norfolk coast, Mr Wigg. Gorton and Gunton, Mrs Fowler. Coast
of Anglesea, Rev. H. Davies. Coast of Cornwall, Mr F. Foster.
Portland Island, Turner. Weymouth, Mr Bryer. Isle of Wight,
Mr Maimburg. Near Tynemouth, Winch. Orkney, Rev. C. Clouston.
Isle of Bute. Frith of Forth.
Root a thin disk. Fronds many from the same base, four to ten
inches in length, rising -with a main stem about the thickness ot small ffiti vJ i¡’. ,.4tf