Ectocarpece.'] ectocarpus. 159 



flaccid, single-tubed. Pruit, either spherical or lanceolate cap- 

 sules, borne on the ramuli, or imbedded in their substance. — 

 The name is from two Greek words, meaning external fruit. — 

 Harvey. 



They are divided into two classes : — 

 ■^ Secondary branches alternate^ flaccid^ or secimd. 

 ■^ ^ Secondary branches and ramuli opposite. 

 ■^ Secondary branches alternate. 



1. Ectocarpus littoralis, Lynghye. 



Hab. In the sea, and parasitical on any Alga that comes 

 in its way, preferring, however, the Fuci and Laniinaria. 

 It is very common. 



The shaggy tufts are from 6-12 inches long. It is of a 

 browmish-olive colour, and often rust-coloured, in which 

 case it stains the paper to which it adheres. If any prefer 

 a good green to its natural colour, they have only to dip it 

 for a moment in boiling w^ater, and it comes oat a pleasant 

 grass-green. This may please the eye, but it is apt to lead 

 the naturaKst astray, as it then approaches nearer to E. 

 ailiculosus : though even in its scalded state it is coarser 

 and more robust. 



2. Ectocarpus siliculosus, Lynghje. (Plate V. fig. 19, 

 natural size ; on the left, a branchlet magnified.) 



