( 118 ) 



except ill the dredge or on the beach, and in the latter case we are 

 assured that a great part of its beauty has vanished before it is seen, and 

 that it is only when fresh from its native deep that the brilliancy of its 

 colours, and even the perfection of its structure, can be enjoyed. Even 

 in its native home it seems to be little less a rarity, or perhaps it 

 delights in the deep recesses of the ocean's caves, far removed from the 

 strife and turmoil of the tempest ; and only a stray specimen, torn per- 

 chance from a more exposed site before it has reached maturity, will 

 reach the shore or come within the dredger's grasp. Be that as it may, 

 it seldom falls into the collector's hands, and fine specimens in good 

 condition are always looked upon as a prize. 



So tender and delicate is the plant, that it very rapidly decomposes, 

 even in salt water, after being gathered, and if once pressed and removed 

 from the paper, it presents nothing but a confused mass of gelatine, 

 broken cells and spores, the last only preserving their form and colour. 



To Miss Warren, and other southern friends, we feel deeply indebted 

 for specimens of this and other rare species. 



We have seen no Irish specimens, and are not aware of its recent 

 occurrence there. On the south and south-west of England it is of 

 more frequent occurrence, but its appearance is uncertain. 



When fresh, and in fruit, a more beautiful object under the micro- 

 scope could scarcely be conceived ; the bright but transparent tint of the 

 articulated branchlets, dotted over with the still deeper colour of the 

 abundant fructification, form a really beautiful object ; but so delicate is 

 its structure, that when placed in fresh water, the cells burst and the 

 colour disperses, even before the eye of the observer. 



Dt'DRESNAIA COCCINEA. 



EXPLANATION OF DISSECTIONS. 



Fig. 1. — Branchlet with tetraspores. — 2. Eamiilus from whorls. — 3. Tetraspore from 

 same. — 4. Branchlet with faveUw. — 5. Ramuli with same from a whorl. All 

 magnified. 



