276 BRITISH SEA-WEEDS. {Filiodosperwea^. 



nate), coated with a calcareous deposit. Fructification, turbinate 

 or obovate, mostly terminal ceramidia, pierced at tlie apex by a 

 minute pore, and containing a tuft of erect, pyriforni, or club- 

 sliaped, trauverscly parted tetraspores. — The name is from their 

 resemblance to coral. — Harvey. 



1. CoRALLiNA OFFICINALIS, X/ww<^?^5. (Plate XIV. fig. 54, 

 natural size, and on the left, a portion of a branch with 

 ceramidia, magnified.) 



Hab. On rocks between tide-marks. Perennial. Winter 

 and spring. Abundant on all our rocky shores. 



Dr. Johnston, in his well-known ' History of British 

 Sponges and Corallines,'' says, respecting this species, " It 

 appears first in the guise of a thin, circular, calcareous 

 patch, of a purplish colour, and in this state is common on 

 almost every object that grows between tide-marks." It 

 has been described as Mille]}ora lichenoides , while its earlier 

 states constitute Lamouroux's various species of Melohesia, 

 A very beautiful white light is produced by holding a piece 

 of C. officinalis close to the flame of a candle. It was once 

 believed to have very powerful vermifuge virtues. The 

 colour is a dark purple, soon fading on exposure. Though 

 kept dry for years it continues to emit an unpleasant 

 smell. 



Professor Ilarvey says, " The question of the vegetable 



