FORMS OF HALIMEDA FROM FUNAFUTI. 481 
type of H. versatilis by Prof. J. G. Agardh in his ‘ Till Algernes 
Systematik, v. p. 86, and an authentic specimen is preserved in 
the British Museum. This I have examined, and find that the 
peripheral cells are much smaller in diameter, 25 p, than either 
the Funafuti plant or that described by Dr. Askenasy, both of 
which measure 40 u and more. The Funafuti plant differs also 
in colour, thickness, and calcification from H. versatilis, J. Ag. 
HALIMEDA Opuntia, Lamour, var. MACROPUS, Ask. 
B. 11 & 12. HALIMEDA CUNEATA, Kuetz. 
The 35-fathom level. Fine large branching Halimeda alive. 
This specimen is much larger than that kindly sent me for 
comparison by Dr. Askenasy ; but the Funafuti plant appears 
to be considerably older, and is much thiekened at the base. 
The shape of the joints, the slight calcification of the young 
joints, the manner of branching, and the size of the peripheral 
cells are the same in both plants. 
The only specimen of H. Opuntia, Lamour, which I have seen 
from Funafuti, was a plant whieh was made to grow through a 
hole in a board, in order to calculate the rate of growth. In all 
other cases, only the var. macropus of this species is found. 
Specimens of boring taken on the floor of the lagoon were sent 
for identification, and in all these the Halimeda-joints consisted 
entirely of H. Opuntia var. macropus. The borings down to 
1363 feet were still sufficiently well preserved to show the 
peripheral cells on decalcification, and at 151 feet the large 
central tubes were still to be recognized ; but below that depth, 
though the form of the joints was retained, there was no cell- 
substance after treatment with acid. The 1864 feet includes 
101 feet of water, at which depth the floor of the lagoon is 
reached. Dredgings were taken at 18 points in a straight line 
across the lagoon, at depths varying from 7} to 26 fathoms, 
They all contained joints of H. Opuntia, Lamour, var. macropus, 
with the exception of no. 1 (“3 a mile from the Mission Church. 
Depth 10 fathoms”), in which the fragments were of H. Opuntia. 
In no. 18 I found no Halimeda. 
My best thanks are due to Prof. Judd, F.R.S., for placing this 
interesting material in my hands, and to Prof. Askenasy for 
his kindness in lending me ‘ Gazelle’ specimens for comparison, 
and for giving me his valuable opinion on the two new forms. 
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