(96) 



duration. In the early part of the summer of 1858, it was gathered in 

 the neighbourhood of Montrose in great profusion, in some pools almost 

 covering everything within reach, not even confined to the plants, but 

 frequently scattered over the rock itself, although apparently prefeiTing 

 Halidrys siliquosa, which it sometimes so completely covered as to entirely 

 conceal it. Two weeks after, on visiting the same spot, scarcely a single 

 frond of the Functaria remained. During the interval a storm had 

 occm-red, the greater part of the plants had been swept away, and in 

 1859 very little of it has been observed. 



In all the specimens we have seen, the widest part of the frond was 

 near the base, the upper part being long, tapering, and very. slender, 

 and generally acuminated to a very sharp point. Occasionally, however, 

 the apex is very short and abrupt, but always acute. 



In colour and substance this comes nearest P. latifolia, but the 

 areolation most resembles F. plantaginea, from which, however, it differs 

 in outline, as well as in colour and in its much more delicate substance. 

 F. plantaginea we have never met with parasitical, while F. tenuissima is 

 generally so, and only when in profusion found scattered over the neigh- 

 bouring rocks. It seems always to grow in pools, and generally near 

 high-water mark. 



PUNCTARIA TENDISSIMA. 



EXPLANATION OF DISSECTIONS. 



1. — Surface of frond. 



2. — Surface of frond witb antheridia ? 



3. — Antheridia 1 All magnified. 



