1909] Lambert,— Two new Species of Characium 67 
which I observed, measured 480 y, nearly six times as long as the 
maximum length for Characium ensiforme Herm. 
The stipe and terminal hair are in line with the general curve of the 
body (fig. 4, pl. 79). The one cell stage of Characium gracilipes 
reminds one of Closterium rostratum Ehrenb., as figured by West. 
In later stages during spore formation a more pronounced curvature 
frequently accompanies the elongation of the body, but it seldom 
exceeds an angle of 90?, and is always simple and in one direction. 
The terminal hair, open throughout its entire length, but closed at 
its distal end, is about the same length in all specimens, and always 
shows a sharp demarcation from the fusiform body, from the apex of 
which it emerges. ‘The lower end of the fusiform body tapers grad- 
ually into the stipe, also like the terminal hair, of capillary dimensions 
and hollow. ‘The stipe is closed at a point very near its base. The 
base of this plant is remarkable in that it adds a new character for 
Characium, viz., the presence of minute rhizoids. These are of 
different forms, but the most typical is that shown in figures 3, 4, 5, 
6 and 9 (pl. 79), which show two smooth, straight, slender, solid 
processes emerging from the closed base of the stipe, with which and 
with each other, the rhizoids form three approximately equal angles 
of about 120? respectively. This divergence is almost always evident, 
inasmuch as the rhizoids are in the same plane as the line of curvature, 
and as the specimens can naturally take but one position in the narrow 
space between the slide and cover. ‘These processes, usually of the 
same length, vary from 2 to 10 jg. Fig. 22 (pl. 79) illustrates the 
largest observed. 
Pl. 79, fig. 14, shows two rhizoids of approximately equal length, 
emerging at the same angle on one side of the stipe; fig. 15, rhizoid of 
one side with a hook turning inward; fig. 17, two rhizoids with hooks 
turning outward; fig. 16, two rhizoids depending from base, like a 
two-tined pitch-fork, not an uncommon condition; fig. 20, two rhizoids 
of the normal shape, but of unequal length; fig. 19, three rhizoids, a 
very rare condition; figs. 18 and 21, rhizoids of normal type with a 
tendency toward a branching which may vary from merely slight rough- 
enings and thickenings to well-defined short branches. "This condition 
is more common than that of fig. 19, but occurs less frequently than 
others. For a long time I really doubted this form, thinking the 
1 West, G. S. A monograph of the British Desmidiaceae. Vol. I, Pl. XXVI, 
ig. : 
