The pellucid
substance and fuci. The pellucid jelly-like substance, called
the sea-nettle, is found in great abundance along the strand,
where it has been thrown up by the waves and tide: there are
two species of the fuci thrown up in that manner: the first
species at one extremity consists of a large vesicle or hollow
vessel, which will contain from one to two gallons: it is of
a conic form, the base of which forms the extreme end, and is
convex and globular, bearing at its centre some short, broad,
and angular fibres: the substance is about the consistence of
the rind of a citron mellon, and three-fourths of an inch thick:
the rind is smooth from the small extremity of the cone; a long
hollow cylindric and regular tapering tube extends to twenty
or thirty feet, and is then terminated with a number of branches,
which are flat, half an inch in width, rough, particularly on
the edges, where they are furnished with a number of little
ovate vesicles or bags of the size of a pigeon's egg: this plant
seems to be calculated to float at each extremity, while the
little end of the tube, from whence the branches proceed, lie
deepest in the water: the other species seen on the coast towards
the Killamucks, resembles a large pumpkin; it is solid, and
its specific gravity is greater than the water, though sometimes
thrown out by the waves: it is of a yellowish brown color; the
rind smooth, and its consistence is harder than that of the
pumpkin; but easily cut with a knife: there are some dark brown
fibres, rather harder than any other part, which pass longitudinally
through the pulp or fleshy substance which forms the interior
of this marine production.
Accounts of the Fish
Accounts of the Animals
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