, C ) J [ 1685 ]
FUCUS spiralis.
S p i r a l F u c u s .
CRYPTOGAMIA Algæ.
G e n . C h a r . Seeds produced in clustered tubercles,
which burst at their summits.
S p e c . C h a r . Frond linear, dichotomous, spirally-
twisted, entire, with a central rib : the fructifying
extremities cloven, rounded and obtuse.
S y n . Fucus spiralis. Finn. Sp. PI. 1 6 2 7 . Gooden,
and Woodw. Tr. of Linn. Soc. v. 3. 147. Huds.
577. W ilh .v . 4 . 9 2 . Hull. 3 1 9 . Lightf. 911.
Stackh. t. 5 .
F. vesiculosus s. Turn. Syn. 119.
F. spiralis maritimus major. Raii Syn. 4 1 .
I n vOl. 15. p. 1066, we have assented to Mr. Turner’s*
opinion that this is a variety of F. vesiculosus, nor are we by
any means determined to give up this point. Nevertheless, as
many botanists think the two species distinct, and the excellent
authors of the paper in the 3d vol. of the Linn. Society’s
Transactions, who unite many others to vesiculosus, have kept
this separate, we are induced, by the persuasion of Mr. Turner
himself, to publish the present figure.
Our specimens were found by Mr. W. Borrer on stones and
planks in Shoreham harbour, Sussex, in September last,
growing about high-water mark, and always in such situations
as to be exposed to the air after every tide. Their colour and
general appearance agree with F. vesiculosus, but the whole
plant is lower and more bushy, and spirally twisted, though
the last is not a very peculiar or constant character. The more
remarkable distinctions are the almost total want of air-bladders,
and the round blunt form of the yellow extremities
where the seeds are lodged. Tn one of the Linnsean specimens
indeed some of these extremities are more oblong, but
they are still obtuse and rounded at the ends.
* We there erroneously included Dr. Goodenough and Mr. Woodward in
this opinion, as far as regards F. spiralis.