nified, proves to be occafioned by fub-elliptical granules imbedded in the filament, 

 as is reprefented in the figure B. Some few are alio found fcattered in other parts 

 of the joints, and I never doubted that thefe formed the fructification, till on the 

 8th of May, 1 802, to our great fatisfaction, my friend D. Turner and myfelf 

 found the plant in the ditches about Yarmouth, copioufly producing feffile roundifh 

 pointed capfules, precifely refembling thofe of C. dichotoma, &c. 



C. capillaris, after it has been but for a few minutes expofed to the air, 

 becomes perfectly flaccid, and when dried, the joints aflume a kind of irregular 

 alternately comprefled appearance, which induced Linnseus, who evidently had feen 

 only fpecimens in that ftate, fo to defcribe it ; but though he has in this inftance 

 been copied by Hudfon, Lightfoot, and many other authors, this appearance is 

 by no means fo conftant as to juftify the ftrefs he has laid upon it ; and hence Dr. 

 Roth, who found it apply better to the plant reprefented by Dillenius, t. 25. f. 5. B. 

 which he believes to be fpecifically different, applied the appellation capillaris to 

 that, and made the prefent a new fpecies, under the name of C. linum. From 

 the references neverthelefs in the Species plantarum, I have very little doubt of 

 ours being in reality what is there intended. I have fubjoined a mark of uncer- 

 tainty to Morifon's figure, becaufe he has drawn it as if it grew in the manner of 

 a Chara. 



This fpecies is fometimes found in the pools near Yarmouth, rolled up into 

 balls by the action of the waves, fo as to refemble C. asgagropila. It differs from 

 moft others in not adhering to glafs or paper after it is dried ; nor does it, when 

 once it has from that caufe fuffered contraction, ever recover its natural form by 

 fubfequent immerfion. 



A. C- capillaris of its natural fize. 



B. Ditto, without capfules, magnified 2. 



C. Ditto, with capfules, magnified 2. 



