Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume VII.djvu/256

 24:8 FLAG rocks by their roots, while their branches are borne up by the tides, falling again and lying in confused masses one upon another at its re- cess. The propriety of this homely term is better seen in the ulva or laver, of which ulva latissima, very common on the American Ulva latissima. coast, having a broad, ovate or oblong, undu- lated, bright green frond, may be seen lying on the soft ooze at low tide, and floating near the bottom at high water. Enteromorpha, with tubular, membranaceous, green, netted fronds, is still more flaccid, and is easily col- lected from rocks and beaches, when thrown up by the winds. A rich, dark purple kind Enteromorpha electa. (porphyra vulgaris, Agardh) may be frequently noticed on the piles and posts of wharves, hanging loosely down, like broad shreds, grow- ing also on rocks between high and low wa- ter mark. Even in fresh water, in running streams, the flags are to be met with, such as latracho-spermum moniliforme (Roth.), with very delicate, branching filaments, composed of violet-colored beads, and having a plumy, flagging aspect. So the conferva, resembling confused and tangled skeins of silk, have the same appearance ; and even in the more highly Porphyra vulgaris. developed bright crimson and red kinds, or in the fuscous and inelegant fuel, and in the larger forms, equalling in size trees and shrubs, the name of flags is not an inapt one. II. Be- sides these lower plants, the name of flag is given to the iris family, which bear conspicu- ous flowers, some of great splendor. (See IBIS.) III. The sword flags are stiff, erect, very Fucus resiculosus. long-leaved plants, with spikes of extremely showy purple, scarlet, rosy, or white blossoms, and with large flat tubers (cormi), requiring heat, moisture, and sunshine while growing, but entire rest and dryness when dormant. Natives of the Cape of Good Hope, few gar-