(126 ) 



This neat little species seems partial to Cystoseira fibrosa, on which it 

 is by no means uncommon. In habit it closely resembles E. fucicola, 

 but from that species it may be readily distinguished by its smaller 

 tufts, the attenuated bases of the filaments, their obtuse apices, and 

 their short articulations, especially at the base. It is a plant of no 

 great beauty, either externally or internally, but should not therefore be 

 despised, as it no doubt forms a link in the chain of creation ; and although 

 its impoi-tance is unknown, or but little understood, it has no doubt 

 important functions to perform in the grand economy of the ocean 

 world — functions which, if left unfulfilled, it is difiicult to say how great 

 a blank would be produced in the harmony of ocean-being ; if but 

 one link, however small and unimportant, is wanting in the continuity 

 of the chain, its integrity, its strength is gone. 



P 



4 



ELACHISTA FLAOCIDA. 



EXPLANATION OP DISSECTIONS, &c. 



Fig. 1. — Elachista Jlaccida, tuft on Cystoseira fibrosa, natural size. 

 2. — Filaments. 

 3. — Paranemata and spore. 

 4. — A spore. 

 5. — Portion of a filament. All magnified. 



