tic specimens I dare not speak positively. The figure of Fucus granateus
of Lamouroux, referred to by Mr Turner, agrees well enough,
with the exception of the capsules, respecting which there must surely
be some error.
Mr Turner’s variety uncinatum is remarkable for having the ends of
some of the branches curved inwards like a sickle, and of a cartilaginous
substance. Miss Hill’s opinion, that it fastens itself by this
means to other Algce, is not an improbable one. The whole frond has
the power of attaching itself by its edges, and creeping, as it were,
upon the rocks and plants in its way—so much so, that it can hardly
be gathered without some resistance and laceration.
In this, as well as the preceding species, the veins are found under
the microscope to be composed of longer cells than the ordinai-y reticulation.
Sprengel has confounded N. Bonnemaisoni with this species.
(ÎENU.SXXVI. RHODOMENIA, Grev. Tab. XII.
Ge n . Ch a r . Frond plane, membranaceous, fine pink or red,
quite veinless, sessile, or with a short stem, which expands
immediately into the frond. Fructification—1. hemispherical
scattered capsules; 2. minute ternate granules
spreading over the wliole or some part of tlie frond
(not in defined spots).
Obs. This genus, the name of which is derived from two Greek
words signifying a red colour and a membrane, is composed of various
species of Sphoerococcus, according to the system of Agardh, and of
one species of Halymenia. Such as were described by Lamouroux
were regarded by him as Delesserioe. M. Gaillon has associated
Bhodomenia hifida, Palmetta, laciniata, and palmata, in the genus
Halymenia, along with Nitophyllum ocellatum, Iridoea edulis, Tham-
nophora corallorrhiza Ag., and many others, equally remote from
one another in habit, structure, and fructification.
In most of the species both kinds of fructification have been observed.
The hemispherical capsules, which are imbedded in the substance of
the frond in the disk or margin, resemble those of the last genus. The
ternate granules, however, arc generally mucii smaller, almost requiring
the assistance of a pocket magnifier to perceive their situation,
though the experienced eye is at no loss to perceive when they are
present. The substance of the frond, though membranaceous, is of a
dense cellular structure, and scarcely reticulated : it is besides destitute
of the beautiful transparency of the Nitophylla. The colour is
often bright, but generally deeper, less shining and delicate.
1. R h o d o m e n ia b i f id a .
Frond thin transparent subdichotomously divided linear the apices
obtuse, capsules minute spherical marginal.
Sphoerococcus bifidus, Ag. S p . Alg. v . 1. p . 299. S y s t. Alg. p . 231. S p r e n g . S p . P I . v . 4. p . 334.
Delesseria bifida, L am o u r . E s s a i, p . 37-
Halymenia bifida, GaUl. D ie t. S c . N a t . v. 53. p . 360.
Fucus bifidus, 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 . 159. t . 17- f- L Sm . E n g .
B o t. t. 773. T u m . S y n . F u c . p . 165. H is t. F u c . 1 . 154.
Ha b . in the sea, attached to rocks and plants. Annual. Summer.
Common on the coast of Cornwall, Stackhouse, Near Plymouth,
Mr F. Forster junior. Sidmouth, Budleigh, and Torquay, Mrs
Griffiths. Coast of Hampshire, Hudson. Shores of the Isle of Wight,
Mr Maimburg. Yarmouth, Mr Wigg. Near Tynemouth, Winch.
On the beach at Corton and Gunton, Mrs Fowler. Belfast, Mr Templeton.
Bantry Bay, Miss Hutchins.
Root a minute disk. Fronds numerous, spreading, one to three
inches long, repeatedly divided, either truly dichotomous or between
dichotomous and palmated, the segments all nearly uniformly linear,
one to three lines in width, and divaricated, so that the frond, in consequence
of the short space between the subdivisions, acquires a dilated
and roundish outline. The apices are obtuse ; the margin entire,
or fringed with little foliaceous horizontal processes, the result of a
proliferous tendency, which sometimes grow into branches, and at
length give the plant a very paradoxical character. Fructification,
1. minute spherical dark red capsules, smaller than poppy-seed, arranged
along the margin, or very near to it ; 2. ternate granules generally
occupying a space about three or four lines in length at the extremities
of the ultimate segments, sometimes scattered over the whole frond.
Substance delicate, thin, transparent, adhering to paper m drying.
Colour varying from pale pink to rose red.
The second mode of fructification in this species, though entirely
spread over the ends of the froud, is so minute as to be only just