hibit very decided characters for illustration. I therefore do
not hesitate to record it, in the hope that the attention of botanists
may be drawn towards it, and be the means of completing
the account now offered. When the specimen was first
placed in my hands, it occurred to me that it might be the real
Fucus sarniensis of M e r t e n s, which authors seem unanimous
in referring to Halymenia palmata. 1 am sorry that
having no authentic specimen, and no access at this moment to
the Catalecta Botanica of R o t h , I am unable to form my own
opinion upon this point. At any rate, the Alga now before us
is distinguished from every state of Halymenia palmata, by
its mucb redder colour, thicker substance, and, above all, by the
fructification. The surface of the frond is minutely pitted under
the microscope, even after having been macerated; brit this
appearance is perhaps the result of prior desiccation,
F i g . l . S. polycarpus; natural size. Fig. 2. Portion o f the frond. Pig. 3.
Section o f a portion o f the frond, with capsule. Fig. 4. Sporidia; magnified.