" Plants, as well as animals, excite the curiosity and interest of the 

 observer, first, by diversities, which distinguish parts and properties and 

 species ; and by similitudes, which lead to the assemblage of species into 

 groups, or genera and classes, &c. : secondly, by grace or beauty of form 

 or colour ; thii-dly, by analogies, or affinities of relation, traceable, more 

 or less remotely, throughout all the works of the Creator." — Duncan. 



s 3 





MICROCOLEUS. 261 



Hab. " On the naked soil by road-sides, frequent : " y 

 Harv. /^^-^ 



" This forms a dull green decumbent slimy stratum. The ^ 



frond consists of numerous curled branches, diverging from ^^^ 



a centre in a starry manner, and gradually tapering from a ^^^ 



broad base to a fine point, containing numerous deep green ^^ 



filaments, which radiate and oscillate from the tips, and on ^^ 

 laceration issue in bundles." — Harv, 



2. MiCROCOLEUS ANGUirORMIS Harv. 



Plate LXX. Fig.3. 



Char. Filaments smaller than in the preceding species, 

 M. anguiformis Harv. MSS. 

 Hab. Saltwater marshes. 



This, although a very distinct species, is a doubtful fresh- 

 water production, and perhaps had better to have been al- 

 together omitted from this work. The AlgcB of our salt- 

 water marshes require a separate study. 



3. MiCROCOLEUS GRACILIS Hass, 



Plate LXX. Fig. 2. 



Char. Filaments very slender. 



Hab. Near Aberdeen : Dr. Dickie, 



This is another salt marsh Micj'ocoleus. I detected it 

 amongst some AlgcB sent me by Dr. Dickie. It is a distinct 

 and pretty little species. 



