visible to the naked eye in tlic t'onn of a cloud, a little daiker than the
rest of the frond. It was observed in tliis country by Mrs Griffiths.
I have never seen the ternate granules scattered over the whole frond,
as described by Agardh.
In the variety ciliatus of Turner, the capsules soinetiines occupy tbe
proliferous marginal cilia;.
2. R h o d o m e n ia l a c in ia t a .
Frond between cartilaginous and membranaceous dichotomous or
jialmate, the margin when producing capsules fringed with minute
processes in which the capsules are placed, ternate granules on distinct
plants form a line along the margin, which is then entire.
Spfusi ococcus laciniatus, L y n g b . H y d ro p h . D a n . p . 12. t. 4. Ag. S p . A lg . v . 1. p . 297.
S y s t. A lg . p . 230. S p r e n g . S p . P I. v . 4. p . 334.
Delesseria laciniata, G r e v . F I. E d in . p . 293. H o o k , in F I. L o n d . N ew S e rie s , t. 198.
Delesseria ciliaris, L am o u r . E s s a i, p . 37-
Halymenia ciliaris, G a ill. D ie t. Sc. N a t . v . 53. p . 360.
Fucus laciniatus, H u d s . F I. A n g l. p . 579. Sm . E n g . B o t. t. 1068. T u r n . S y n . P u c .
p . 161. H is t. F u c . t. 69.
Fucus crispatus, S t a c k h . N e r . B r it. p . 92. t . 15.
H a b . in the sea, attached to rocks and stones. Biennial? Pro-
ducing fructification from January to July. Coast of Anglesea, Rev.
H. Davies- Coast of Cornwall, Stackhouse. Ponluney, Carhayes:
Penzance: Lizard Point, &c. Mr E. Forster junior. Yarmouth, Mr
Wigg. On the beach at Corton and Gunton, Suffolk, Mrs Fowler.
Many places in Devonshire, Mrs Griffiths. Fxmouth and Torquay.
Port Rush, Dr Scott. Larne, near Belfast, Dr Drummond. Iona,
Dr Hooker. Orkney, Rev. C. Clouston. Berwick and Dunbar; very
rare near Fdinburgh.
Root a small blackish disk. Fronds generally several from the
same base, three to nine inches long; at the very base the frond
divides into two to four branches, narrow at first, but gradually dilating
till it attains a width from half an inch to one or two inches or even more,
and then is repeatedly subdivided, sometimes in a dichotomous, sometimes
in a palmate manner, the general outline always becoming more
and more dilated, till at length it acquires a broadly fan-shaped or
semicircular figure. The apices are rounded, but in consequence of a
proliferous disposition is frequently laciniated. The margin is even,
but also frequently proliferous, throwing out little frondlets half an
inch or more in length, which are sometimes supported upon little
stalks. The margin also derives a character according to the nature
of the fructification : in those individuals which produce capsules, they
are closely fringed with minute processes about half a line in length :
in those individuals which produce ternate granules, there are none of
these processes, but the margin is quite entire. Fructification, 1. capsules
minute, hemispherical, always situate in the marginal processes ;
2. ternate granules very minute, forming a reddish linear cloud on the
surface of the frond, and following the margin.
Substance thickish, between membranaceous and cartilaginous, of a
dense uniform structure under the microscope, becoming thinner, and
adhering to paper in drying, especially young plants. Colour a beautiful
opake bright red, varying to pink on the one hand, and to
nearly blood colour on the other.
Mr Turner has well observed of this plant, that, if examined with a
pocket-glass, it appears to be obscurely reticulated ; but with a higher
magnifying power it is shown to be of a uniform texture. The ternate
granules are often scattered irregularly and at intervals over the whole
frond ; but the margin is their proper situation, and there they are numerous,
and quite visible to the naked eye.
3. R h o d o m e n ia p o l y c a r p a .
Frond between cartilaginous and membranaceous dichotomous or
somewhat palmate the segments sublinear laciniated and acute at the
ends, capsules hemispherical scattered over the frond.
Sphoerococcus polycarpus, G r e v . C r y p t . F I . t . 352.
H a b . In the sea. Biennial ? Cast ashore under Tait’s Hill, near
Plymouth, 1814, Miss Hill. Whitsand Bay, Mr Walker Arnott.
Root unknown. Frond about seven inches in length, divided from
near the base, where it is hardly more than two to three lines broad ;
the segments then gradually dilate for the space of two inches till they
are above half an inch in width, and then subdivide in an irregular
dichotomous laciniated manner, terminating rather sharply, the general
outline becoming more and more fan-shaped. Fructification, as far as
hitherto known, consisting of prominent, hemispherical, dark red capsules,
as large as turnip-seed, imbedded in the substance of the frond,
and scattered plentifully all over it. Seeds oblong, minute.
Substance between cartilaginous and membranaceous, at the base
coriaceous, thickish like the last, semitransparent only towards the
end. Colour opake dull pink red, very dark at the base.