F U C U S soboliferus.
Many-branched Red Fucus.
CRYPTOGAMIA Alga;.
Gen. Char. Seeds produced in clustered tubercles,
which burst at their summits.
Spec. Char. Frond membranous, flat, nerveless, repeatedly
palmate, laciniated, finely reticulated :
segments dilated upwards, toothed at the extremity.
Syn. Fucus soboliferus. FI. Dan. t. 1065. Turn.
Hist. Fucor. v. 1 . 97. t. 45.
O u r broadest specimen, gathered by the late Rev. Dr.
Walker in the Mull of Galway, was communicated by Mr.
Turner; that with narrower segments was found on the shores
of Orkney, growing on other Fuci, by Mr. Hooker and Mr.
Borrer, who observed the same upon rocks in Great Loch
Broom, Ross-shire.
Mr. Turner considers this as a plant of very rare occurrence,
as well as of a doubtful genus, no fructification being as yet
known, and the habit approaching full as nearly to Ulva as to
Fucus. For the present however our learned friend follows
Prof. Vahl in its arrangement, and we not only consider ourselves
safe under his auspices, but we think the analogy of
F. sarniensis, t. 2132, greatly confirms his determination.
The present however is a far more membranous and delicate
species, beautifully reticulated under a microscope, repeatedly
and .finely palmate, jagged and subdivided, the segments dilated
upwards, or wedge-shaped, cut or toothed at their extremities.
The stalk or base of the whole is slender and
round, but soon becomes flattened. The colour is a fifte pink
or pale purple, turning yellow or whitish in decay.
It is necessary to remark that tab. 1065 and 1066 of the
Flora Danica are wrong numbered. Our reference accords
with the letter-press.