212 BRITISH SEA-WEEDS. \Jlhoclos]}erme(e, 



It has been found by D. L._, Jan., in rock -pools at Corrie 

 and at Corriegills in Arran."^ It has been found by myself 

 on the Ayrshire coast at Saltcoats and Ardrossan. The 

 first time I observed it was in Saltcoats Bay at low water, 

 i^rowing on shale. As I was in danger of being surrounded 

 by the returning tide, I snatched in haste a small portion 

 from a large patch, thinking it was some common thing 

 with rather an uncommon aspect. On jfloating it in fresh 

 water, spreading it on paper, and exposing it to the air, I 

 was surprised to see it changing in a short time from a dull 

 brownish-red to a fine dark crimson. One of my family, 

 by wading into deep water, and catching the plants with 

 his toes, got still finer specimens, which, being treated in 

 the same manner, assumed even a richer hue. I soon 

 found that it was this rare plant GloiosijjJtonia capillaris. 

 It has been carefully looked for every summer since, but it 

 seems uncertain and capricious. Its season is limited, from 

 the middle of June till the middle of Julv. Immersion in 

 fresh water seems to bring sudden death on this as on some 

 other se3L-pla?ifs, but tliis change, as we see, only adds to 

 its beauty. 



* Vide ' Excursions to the Island of Arran,' by the Author, p. 274. 



