i
n '
The specimens from which the present figure was taken
were gathered at the islands of Staffa and Iona, and are «remarkable
for their uncommon luxuriance. The species, in its
usual state, rarely exceeds two or three inches. A variety is
described by A g a r d h under the name of clavatus, in which
the fronds are nearly simple, about an inch long, and somewhat
thickened towards the extremity. It is found in the Frith of
Forth.
Ectocarpus ferrugineus, A g . seems scarcely to differ from
this species, if we consider the articulations alone ; for I do not
find their length to be at all constant. Those in the uppermost
branches of the filaments of the present individual are even
shorter than they are said to be in E. ferrugineus, while those
in the lower parts are longer. The habit of E . ferrugineus
is, however, very different ; and though the filaments are much
entangled, they do not form the dense spongy cord for which
E . tcmentosus, is remarkable.
Fig. 1. E. tomentosum, natural size. Fig. 2. Portion o f one o f the branches,
with the spreading ramuli. Fig. 3. Portion o f one o f the filaments. Fig. 4.
One i f the filaments in fructification ; magnified.
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