same individual. Such a proceeding is undoubtedly not usual, but
there is no canon of botany against it, and another example may be
seen in the genera Desfontainia and Fontanesia, both named after M.
Desfontaines. As, therefore, no valid objection exists against Delesseria,
I shall avoid unnecessary nomenclature, and retain it in preference
to that of Wormskioldia, introduced by Sprengel without any
alleged reason at all. I am very willing, however, to restrict it according
to the views of M. Gaillon.
1. D e l e s s e r ia s a n g u in e a .
Stem cylindrical branched, leaves oblong-ovate, entire at the margin,
transversely veined, fructification stalked, attached to the midrib.
Delesseria sanguinea, L am o u r . E s s a i, p . 124. L y n g b . H y d r o p h . D a n . p . 7. t. 2. Ag . S p .
A lg . V. 1. p . 172. S y s t. A lg . p . 248. G r e v . E l. E d in . p . 292.
VFonmkioldia sangumea, S p r e n g . S y s t. P I . v . 4. p . 331.
Fucus sanguineus, L in n . S y s t. N a t . 2. p . 718. S t a c k h . N e r . B r it. t. 7. T u m . S y n . F u c .
p . 7. H is t. F u c . t . 36. S m . E n g . B o t. t. 1041.
H a b . In the sea. Biennial. Producing fructification in the winter
and spring of the second year. The frond itself is in its finest state in
the summer. Common on the British and Irish coast.
Root a red disk. Stem scarcely an inch in height before it divides
into two or three branches, about as thick as a crow-quill, and two to
eight inches long, bearing a considerable number of simple leaves, four
to ten inches in length and one to four in breadth, either subacute or
quite rounded at the extremity, the midrib strong, and the transverse
parallel veins obvious. The margin is entire, and more or less waved.
Fructification: 1. ovate-globose capsules, filled with a dense mass of
radiating moniliform filaments, the red uppermost joints of which become
deciduous ovate seeds: 2. ovate flat membranaceous stalked seed-
leaflets, one or two lines in length, in which ternate granules are thickly
imbedded.
Substance of the stem cartilaginous ; of the remainder of the frond
very delicate and membranaceous. Colour a most splendid shining
pink. In drying it adheres to paper, if much pressed.
The fructification of this species often escapes observation, from occurring
when the plant ceases to attract much notice. Little or nothing
remains of the more delicate part of the frond, and the midrib
and stem alone accompany the fruit. The seed-leaflets and the capsules
form a sort of fringe on the midrib, and are produced on distinct
individuals.
2. D e l e s s e r i a s in u o s a .
Stem cylindrical, frond at first simple, at length pinnated, leaves
oblong, more or less deeply sinuated or even pinnatifid, transversely
veined, seed-leaflets linear.
Delesseria sinuosa, L am o u r . E s s a i, p . 124. L y n g b . H y c iro p h . D a n . p . 7- t . 2. Ag . S p .
A lg . V. 1. p . 174. S y s t. A lg . p . 248. G r e v . F I . E d in . p . 292.
Wormskioldia, sinuosa, S p r e n g . S p . P i . v . 4. p . 331.
F u a ts sinuosus, G o o d e n , a n d W o o dw . L in n . T r a n s , v . 3. p . 111. Sm . E n g . B o t. t . 822.
T u m . S y n . F u c . p . 1. H i s t . F u c . t . 35.
Fucus rubens, H u d s . F I . A n g . p . 673. S ta c k h . N e r . B r i t . p . 18. t . 7-
H a b . In the sea, mostly attached to the stems of Laminaria digitata.
Biennial? Producing fructification in summer and autumn.
Common on almost all the British coasts.
Root a blackish disk, fi-om which arise several stems. These at first
support a simple and somewhat elliptical frond or leaf, two to four
inches in length, and one to three or more in breadth, often so deeply
sinuate as to be rather pinnatifid, with the margin more or less crenate.
As the plant advances in age, the principal laciniæ elongate into
leaves, become sinuated in their turn, while the primary midrib, deprived
gi-adually of its frond, changes to a naked stem. By this process,
the frond at length becomes twelve inches long, pinnated as it
were with long branches, which, in like manner, are once or twice pinnate
or pinnatifid. Fructification: 1. spherical capsafe« imbedded in
the substance of the leaves, or in little flat obovate leaflets ; 2. ternate
granules in minute linear flat seed-leaves, appearing like cilioe to the
naked eye, and fi-inging not only the margin, but sometimes the midrib
or transverse veins.
Substance thin, transparent, and membranaceous. Colour a beautiful
rose-red. In drying it adheres imperfectly to paper.
In beauty of form, fine specimens of this plant do not yield to the
preceding, though it is greatly behind it in splendour of colour. The
most magnificent individuals I have seen, were collected by my friend
Dr Drummond of Belfast, at Larne. The width of the frond in one
of his specimens, uninjured by laceration, is at least four inches.
From the size to which they attain, several F lo r id eæ seem to claim
Ireland in a particular manner as their native country.
3. D e l e s s e r ia a l a t a .
Frond linear, dichotomous, much divided towards the extremities,
in