286 BRITISH SEA-WEEDS. [Rhoclosjiermea. 



Fructification : 1, subglobosc capsules, containing free pear- 

 shaped seeds : 2, pod-like receptacles, with imbedded ternate 

 granules. — Greville. 



1. RiioDO.AiELA SUBFUSCA, Agarclh. 



Hab. In the sea, on rocks and on other Algrc. Perennial. 

 Fruiting from the beginning of spring till the beginning of 

 winter, when it bears stichidia. Yery common on the 

 English, Irish, and Scottish shores. 



It is a very variable plant, in spring beautifully tufted, 

 in summer coarse and bushy, in winter ragged, rigid, and 

 ugly ; and yet even then it is far from being without interest, 

 as it is then occasionally ornamented with fresh-coloured 

 stichidia on the old black branches. The colour in summer is 

 a dull reddish-brown, which becomes black in drying. I have 

 some fine black specimens from Staffa and lona. Except in 

 its young tufted state, it does not adhere well to paper. 



2. Ehodomela lycopodioides, Agarclh. 



Hab. On rocks in the sea, and on Lamhiaria digitata. 

 Perennial. Fruiting in spring and summer. • Its capsular 

 fruit is more globose than that of the preceding. 



This is a northern species, frequent in the north of 

 England and Ireland, and found in most of the Scottish 

 shores. In spring it is procured in considerable abundance 



