(192) 



in the smaller, quiet tide -pools, where its small delicate fronds, or 

 rather tufts, may often pass unobserved among its more conspicuous 

 neighbours. 



The fructification is by no means infrequent, and readily serves to 

 distinguish this species from its nearest allies, E. granulosus and U. 

 hrachiatus, both of which, and especially the latter, are closely allied 

 to it, so much so, that some able botanists consider the difference in 

 fructification, noticed in Ph]/c. Brit., as rather indicative of a different 

 condition of the same species than characteristic of a different species, 

 as is now understood to be the case among the Rhodosperms. Should 

 this prove to be the case (which is by no means imlikely), our present 

 ideas of species will require to be greatly modified. 



Our Scottish specimens of this are very small, scarcely reaching an 

 inch in length, but are otherwise very characteristic. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE CLXXXL 



Fig. ]. — Ectocarpus splicer ophorus, natural size. 

 2. — Branch. 

 3. — Fruit. Both mamified. 



