seaweed was something more than a mere holdfast. Yet epiphytic
(or parasitic) attachment has not always the same effect
on this plant; for the simplest form of this species is undoubtedly
found on the stems of Laminaria digitata, and authors give the
same stems as a habitat for the finely cut variety, sobolifera.
My own experience would confine this variety to the stems of
Fucus serratus and vesiculosus.
The extensive list of synonyms given in the description shows
a large number of book species formed out of the varieties of this
plant. Most of these are admitted by modern authors to be, what
I have considered them, merely forms of F. palmata. But my
var 6. has hitherto, in British works, mamtained its place under
the name B. sobolifera. I can only say that I can in no respect
distinguish specimens which I have received from Orkney, the
original British habitat of B. sobolifera, from others collected
on the Irish coast which I have clearly traced, through connecting
forms, into the common palmata. I am therefore at a loss to
know on what character to uphold sobolifera. Colour and substance
are here too variable to allow of their being taken into
account; some of the most pinky and delicately membranous
specimens which I possess, have the outline of the true palmata,
not of sobolifera.
In Ireland and Scotland this plant is much used by the poor,
as a relish with their food. It is commonly dried, in its unwashed
state, and eaten raw, the flavour being brought out by long
chewing. On many parts of the west coast of Ireland, it forms
the only addition to potatoes, in the meals of the poorest class.
The variety which grows on mussel shells between tide marks is
preferred, being less tough than other forms, and the minute
mussel shells and other small shell-fish which adhere to its folds
are nowise unpleasing to the consumers of this simple luxury,
who rather seem to enjoy the additional gout imparted by the
cranched mussels. In the Mediterranean this plant is used in a
cooked form, entering into ragouts and made dishes; and it
forms a chief ingredient in one of the soups recommended, under
the name of “ St. Patrick’s Soup,” by M. Soyer to the starving
Irish peasantry.
Fig. 1. R hodymenia palmata, var a. 2. The same, var. f :— hoth the natural
size.
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