21 



Helminthocladia australis Harv. 



Nom. Jap. : Bau-modsuku. 

 PL. CLVI-CLVII, Fig. 7-21. 



Helminthocladia australis Harv. Phyc. Austr. V, tab. 272; J. Ag. 

 Epicr. p. 506 ; Id. Till Alg. Syst. XI, p. 39 ; De Toni Phyc. Jap. Nov. 

 p. 20; Id. Syll. Alg. IV, p. 83. 



Root a small fleshy disc. Fronds caespitose, cylindrical, some- 

 times compressed or irregularly rugulose longitudinally in very 

 robust frond, with main stem attaining a breadth of 10-15 mm ' n 

 broader compressed portion, 15-45 cm long, tapering at base for 

 a short distance like stem, soon thickening into a diameter of 2-4 

 mm in the middle portion and thence upward gradually attenuating. 

 Main stem mostly simple or once or twice forked or parted, 

 closely set throught its whole length with widely patent branches, 

 half as thick as main stem, with longer or shorter ones mixed. 

 Branches worm-like, usually not attenuated at base, tapering to a 

 slender apex, either quite simple or once or twice irregularly 

 branched, and furnished with lateral simple or forked branchlets. 

 Branchlets are sometimes very short, much slender and densely 

 arising, often curled as shown in the lower portion of PL. CLVI. 

 Plant is dioecious. Antheridia are produced from the terminal 







cells of the peripheral moniliform filaments. Procarps consisting 

 of 3-5 cells are formed as a lateral branch of peripheral flaments 

 near their bases. Cystocarps situated among the peripheral filaments 

 consisting of a globular mass of spores. Tetraspores unknown. 

 Color vinoso-red or purple, soon fading to brick-red in freshwater. 

 Substance gelatinoso-cartilaginous, tough and elastic, very soft and 



PL. CLVI CLX, December 1916. 



