[1018] Polybius, as quoted by Athenæus, says that in the Lusitanian Sea there are oaks that bear acorns, on which the thunnies feed and grow fat.
[1019] On the contrary, Theophrastus says, B. iv. c. 7, that the sea-vine grows near the sea, from which Fée is disposed to consider it a phanerogamous plant. If, on the other hand, it is really a fucus, he thinks that the Fucus uvarius may be meant, the vesicles of which resemble a grape in shape.
[1020] He speaks of a madrepore, Fée thinks, the identity of which it is difficult to determine. Professor Pallas speaks of an Alcyonidium ficus, which lives in the Mediterranean and in the ocean, and which resembles a fig, and has no leaves, but its exterior is not red.
[1021] Fée queries whether this may not be the Gorgonia palma of Linnæus, which has received its name from its resemblance to a small palm-tree.
[1022] These three, Fée thinks, are madrepores or zoophytes, which it would be vain to attempt to identify.
[1023] That is, they dry up to the consistency of pumice.
[1024] “Sitiens.” Delille considers this as identical with his Acacia seyal, a thorny tree, often to be seen in the deserts of Africa.
[1025] Probably zoophytes now unknown.
[1026] Fée suggests that he may allude to the Madrepora fungites of Linnæus, the Fungus lapideus of Bauhin. These are found in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean; but, of course, the story of their appearance during rain is fabulous.
[1027] Sharks; see B. ix. c. 70.