MRS. WEBER VAN BOSSE ON PSEUDOCODIUM. 211 
increase in size, they may divide themselves or not, but they 
invariably end by inflating their top into another vesicle. This 
explains why the vesicles of Codium are always connected with 
two and often with more tubes at their base. In fact, with the 
formation of every vesicle ends the growth of a tube; at the 
base of the vesicle springs forth a new tube, which repeats the 
process, that calls to mind the mode of growth of the so-called 
scorpioid-cyme inflorescence of phanerogamous plants. 
The hairs of Codium tomentosum appear later as excrescences 
at the top of the vesicles. 
As I have already stated, I was not successful in finding the 
organs of fructification of Psewdocedium during the short time 
at my disposal. I suppose that they must appear in a manner 
somewhat like those of Halimeda and at the outside of the 
plant, for the vesicles form a pseudo-parenchymatous layer of 
cells, through which no spores could escape. It will be useless, 
therefore, to look for sporangia at the base of the vesicles, 
where they are found in Codium. I hope that the zealous 
investigators of alge in South Africa will soon be able to fill 
up this blank in the life-history of Pseudocodium. 
On examining preserved and much shrunk material in 
alcohol, [ observed a few constrictions on the fronds. I had 
not remarked these before on the living plants, but I cannot 
tell whether they escaped my notice or became only visible 
after exposure of Pseudocodium to the influence of alcohol. 
These constrictions are places where the growth from one 
reason or another springs forth with new vigour and reminded 
me of what happens at the base of every joint of Halimeda. 
Pseudocodium has a green filamentous alga living among its 
tubes, beneath the pseudo-parenchymatous layer of vesicles. 
This green alga twines between the tubes and adheres pretty 
firmly to them. Here, again, I could find no spores and must 
content myself with calling the attention of others to this 
curious little plant. 
I propose the name of Psewdocodium for our alga, on account 
of its superficial resemblance to Codium. I have the honour to 
join to it, as specific name, the well-known name of Prof. Hugo 
de Vries, of Amsterdam, in grateful remembrance of the hours 
8pent under his tuition. 
PQ 
