DIPHASIA PINASTER. 253 



than to grow out of it." Occasionally the main stem 

 divides dichotomously very near the base, each arm 

 dividing again, and sometimes subdividing in the same 

 fashion, so as to form a compound specimen. Sometimes 

 a tall stem, pinnate at the top, but bare throughout the 

 greater portion of its length, carries a number of long 

 plumous shoots, springing from it in various directions, 

 so as to give a very straggling habit to the whole. The 

 pinnae occasionally bear a few branchlets, but arc more 

 generally simple. Under every variety of growth this 

 species may be recognized by its calycles. The abrupt 

 divergence of the upper half causes a somewhat deep 

 central depression in the outer edge, which is accompanied 

 by a distinct fold. The divergent portion curves outwards 

 and is slightly concave on the superior side. 



As usual, the female capsules are much larger in all 

 their dimensions than the male; they are both borne 

 along the upperside of the branches and at the base of 

 the calycles. 



Hab. There has been so much confusion respecting this 

 species, that localities must be taken with caution. It 

 seems, however, to be widely distributed. 



Shetland ; Hebrides (A. M. N.) : off Sana Island, in 

 40 fathoms (Hyndman): Clyde district (Forbes): Oban 

 Bay, abundant (T. H.) : Arran (Landsb.) : off the Mull 

 of Galloway, in 110-140 fathoms (Capt. Beechey) : Em- 

 bleton Bay, Northumberland, deep water (R. Embletou) : 

 Dogger bank (J. A.) : Mersey (Tudor and Dr. Colling- 

 wood) : Devonshire (Mrs. Griffiths) : Jersey (A. M. N.) : 

 Ireland, Belfast Bay (Hyndman): Dublin Bay (W. T.): 

 Giants' Causeway (Hassall). 



