Caulerpacese 



229 



in the vegetable kingdom, as although it consists of only a single branched 

 ccenocyte, yet in external form the different species simulate the various 

 types of habit found in higher plants. The thallus consists of a creeping 



Fig. 148. Caulerpa Holmesiana G. Murray, f natural size. 



rhizome-like axis, which gives off branched root-like rhizoids or ' holdfasts ' 

 from its under side and ' foliar shoots ' from above. The latter are often of 



Fig. 149. Caulerpa verticillata J. Ag. li times the natural size (after Borgesen). 



great beauty and may attain a length of 30 cms. The rhizome has an apical 

 growing point and is often profusely branched, but the general character of 



