The root of this fpecies is a black callus, the fhoots are numerous, and when 

 taken from the water collapfe together, fo as to form a fhapelefs mafs, bearing a 

 ftriking refemblance to frog's fpawn, and fo flippery, that the fingers can with 

 difficulty hold it. It varies in length from one to fix inches, and in color, from 

 a dark purple to a blackifh or yellowifli green. When expanded in water the 

 filaments are feen to be repeatedly branched, the branches difpofed without any 

 regular order, and beaded in a very elegant manner. Under the microfcope 

 thefe beads appear to be formed by ramuli either oppofite or verticillate, re- 

 peatedly divided and fubdivided into extremely fhort and flender patent branch- 

 lets of nearly equal lengths •, among them, at, I believe, every feafon of the 

 year, fruftification may be found confiding of minute globular blackifh capfules, 

 which, when highly magnified, may be obferved to be compofed of an immenfe 

 number of grains. On this account principally Dr. Roth has made it a new 

 genus under the name of Batracho-fpermum, but, as already remarked in Englifh 

 Botany, the fruit of all the marine Conferva is a polyfpermous capfule. Weis, 

 as above quoted, has referred this plant to the Charse, a tiribe of plants moft 

 flrikingly conne&ed with the Confervje. 



In drying, it changes but little, and will adhere firmly to either glafs or paper. 



A. C. Gelatinofa, natural fize. 



B. Ditto, magnified 4. 

 C Ditto, ditto 1. 



