( 104 ) 



brush, but very soft and lubricous, so that when the plant is removed 

 from the water it becomes closely appressed to the stem of the Chorda, 

 and is scarcely otherwise apparent than by a slight thickening, but when 

 placed in water the fronds of the parasite stand out at right angles in 

 all directions, and are straight, waved, or variously contorted. In this 

 condition it has rather a handsome appearance, and when growing in 

 deep water, waving its long, intricate, snake-like coils in the rising and 

 falling swell, a less appropriate object might be selected as an idea for 

 the notorious sea-serpent. It is rarely, however, that the whole of the 

 frond is covered by the parasite, although it often does so to the extent 

 of several feet. 



The fructification is still but imperfectly understood. We have never 

 seen perfect spores, although cells apparently filled with a denser 

 endochrome are not scarce, and very much resemble those already 

 referred to in the description of Punctarvx tenuissima. 





LITOSIPHON PUSILLUS. 



EXPLANATION OF DISSECTIONS, &c. 



Fig. 1. — I/itosiphon pusillus, on Chorda filum, natural size. 

 2. — Apex of a fi'ond. 

 3. — Semisection of same and spores. 

 4. — Surface cells. 

 5. — Section of young frond. 

 6. — Spores. All magnified. 



