198 CLADOPHORA. 



tation counteract the evil effects which the decay of other 

 vegetables under the water would otherwise dispense, and on 

 the clearing off of the water their relics quickly dry up, 

 without undergoing decomposition. In this case the matted 

 threads are soon bleached white in the sun, and form a sort 

 of natural paper. By the older practitioners several of the 

 Confer vce were used in binding up broken limbs, a purpose 

 for which they were well adapted from their softness and 

 power of retaining moisture ; but this was before the days of 

 oil-skin and gutta percha. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH (MARINE) GENERA. 



Sub-order 1. Conferve.e. Filaments free, not surrounded 

 by gelatine. Sporangia contained in the articulations. 



T. Cladophora. Filaments tufted, much branched. 

 [Plate 24, D.] 



II. Rhizoclonium. Filaments decumbent, with root-like 



branches. [Plate 24, F.] 



III. Conferva. Filaments unbranched. [Plate 24, E.] 



Sub-order 2. Ch.etophore.e. Filaments united in sub- 

 membranaceous or gelatinous fronds ; cells often tipped 

 with bristles. Sporangia external. 



IV. OcHLocHJETE. Frond disciform. Filaments radiat- 

 ing from a central point, prostrate, irregularly branch- 

 ed ; each cell produced above into a rigid, inarticu- 

 late bristle. [Plate 25, E.] 



Sub-order I. Conferve.e. 



I. Clauophora. Kiltz. [Plate 24, D.] 



Filaments green, attached, uniform, branched, composed 

 of a single series of cells or articulations. Fruit, aggregated 

 granules or zoospores, contained in the articulations, having, 

 at some period, a proper ciliary motion. — Name, from pcAaSbj, 

 a branch, and (popica, to bear. Much branched, tufted plants, 



