il
«f tubular continuous filaments. Fructification, opake
vesicles attached to tlie filaments, near tbe surface of the
frond.
O bs. Few genera among Algæ are more natural tlian the present
one. Differing almost as much as possible in form, their singular
spongy substance, and green velvet-like surface, totally destitute of
epidermis, characterize the species at the first glance. The most careful
dissection confirms the indication of their external character ; and
so similar are the tubular filaments and the fructification to the frond
and fruit of the Vaucheriæ, that their union in the same order is indispensable,
at least according to natural principles. Agardh even observes,
that the whole frond seems to be composed of distinct individuals,
associated in a determinate form, and that Codium differs from
Vaucheria chiefly in this respect. The root is an expanded mass similar
in substance to the frond. If the frond be minutely examined,
it is found to consist externally of parallel, crowded, club-shaped filaments,
connected at their base, within the plant, by a network of
branched and paler filaments. The vesicles of the fructification arise
from the side of the club-shaped filaments. At one period of the year,
in some species (if not in all), long and very delicate filaments arise
from the side or apex of the club-shaped ones, and cover the frond
with a kind of mucous fringe, connected probably in some way with
the fructification. The tubes are coloured hy an internal green mass,
as in the Vaucherioe.
The name of this genus is formed from the Greek word for the skin
of an animal, denoting particularly a soft and woolly or velvet-like
covering. It was proposed by Stackhouse expressly for the Fucus tomentosus
of Hudson (Ner. Brit, preface, p. 24). Lamouroux, in his
“ Essai,” substituted the name of Spongodium, on the ground that
Codium had not been received by naturalists. He himself, however,
being the first systematic writer upon marine Algæ, ought to have recognized
it. Professor Agardh has done so, but by some oversight
omits to acknowledge Stackhouse as the author, Bory de St Vincent
acts as a corps de reserve on the part of Lamouroux, and is excessively
indignant at the innovation, as he terms it, of Agardh ; he restores the
name of Spongodium, and is either actually ignorant of, or “ remembers
to forget ” the primary claim of Codium, which, having justice on
its side, will, it is hoped, survive the contest.
1. C o d ium tom e n to s um . Tab. XIX.
Frond cylindrical, dichotomous, not dilated at the axils.
Codium tomentosum, S t a c k h . Ag . S p . A lg . v . 1. p . 452. S y s t. A lg . p . 177- S p r e n g . S p .
P I . V. 4. p . 305.
Spongodium tomentosum, L am o u r . E s s aL P* 73* G a ill. D ie t . S c . N a t . v , 53. p . 376>
Spongodium commune, B o ry . V o y . D u p e r r e y , (B o t.) p . 210.
Lamarkia vermilaria, O liv i Z o o l. A d r ia t. p . 258. t . 7*
Agardhia dichotoma, C a b r e r a in P h y s . S a ls k . A r s b e r . a c c o rd in g to A g a rd h .
Fucus tomentoms, H u d s . F I . A n g l. p . 584. S ta c k h . N e r . B r i t . t . 7- T u r n . S y n . F u c .
p . 300. H i s t . F u c . t . 133. Sm . E n g . B o t. t . 712.
H a b . On rocks in the sea, generally uncovered at low spring tides.
Perennial. Summer. Coast of Cornwall, Ray. King’s Cove and St
Michael’s Mount, plentiful. Turner. St Ives, and Menabilly, Stackhouse.
On the long rock between Marazion and Penzance, plentiful,
Hon. Dr Wenman. Lizard Point, Mr E. Forster junior. Near Exmouth,
Hudson. Near Torquay, Mrs Griffiths. Ilfracombe, Miss Hill.
Sidmouth, and Portland Island, Pulteney. Sunderland beach, Mr
Weighell. Coast of Yorkshire, Hudson. Coast of the county of Clare,
Mr Maclcay. County of Antrim, Dr Scott. Bantry Bay, abundantly.
Miss Hutchins. Iona.
Plant, in the first instance, spreading over the surface of the rock,
in flat irregular velvet patches, then throwing up the fronds. Fronds
four to twelve inches long or more, about the thickness of a goose-
quill, cylindrical, filiform, branched from near the base in a dichotomous
manner, the branches generally of nearly equal height. Structure
filamentous, the substance of the frond being composed of tubular filaments,
those in the centre forming a network, and giving origin to
numerous club-shaped continuous filaments, which are disposed in a
radiated manner, so that their apices form the outer surface. Fructification,
dark green, ovate, or ovate-oblong vesicles, attached to the
side of the club-shaped filaments ; the latter, at the same period with
the fructification, produce other very fine yellowish filaments, two or
three lines in length, which give the plant a slippery feel, and soft
woolly appearance. Substance soft and spongy. Colour a deep grass-
green. In drying, it adheres slightly to paper, becomes flat and often
glossy under pressure, and retains its colour, or becomes a little
darker.
A highly curious and interesting plant, which it is not possible to
confound with any British alga. The only exotic one that comes near
to it is the Codium elongatum or Fucus tomentosus, variety y of Tur
ni