326 ALG7E CONFERVOIDEJE. [Ectocarpus. 



differs in ramification ; and the length of the joints in this genus is not 

 to be depended on. The strongest character lies in the fruit. 



3. E. crinitus, Carm. MSS. {prostrate Ectocarpus); filaments 

 decumbent forming extensive strata sparingly branched, branches 

 subsimple distant elongated, capsules globose scattered sessile. 



Muddy sea-shores. " On the clayey bank of a rivulet a little below the 

 flood-level at Appin," Capt. CarmichaeU — Spreading over the mud in " ex- 

 tensive fleeces of a bright bay-colour ;" filaments about 2 inches long, 

 with a few subsimple alternate attenuated branches. Capsules rare. 

 When dry it has a slight gloss, and the colour changes to a dull, but 

 rather pleasant green. 



4. E. tomentosus, Lyngb. . (woolly Ectocarpus) ; filaments 

 flexuoseVery slender, woven into a dense sponge-like branching 

 frond, siliquse oblong obtuse. — Lyngb. Hydroph. Dan. p. 132. 

 t 44. 'Ag. Sp. Alg. V. 2. p. 44. Grev. Crypt. Fl. t. 316.— Conferva 

 tomentosa, JDillw. Conftrv. t. 56. 



Sea-shores, not uncommon on many of the coasts. — Easily known 

 by its habit, which something resembles that of Codium tomentusum. 



5. E. disfortus, Carm. MSS. (deformed Ectocarpus) ; filaments 

 much branched matted angulato-flexuose, branches patent with 

 obtuse axilla, ramuli divaricated or recurved obtuse spine-like, 

 capsules obovate. 



On Zostera, at Appin, Capt. Carmwhael.~4>—8 inches long, densely 

 matted, deep chestnut. Filaments bentinto acute genuflexions, so as to 

 appear distorted, branches spreading at obtuse angles, and beset with 

 spine-like divaricating ramuli. Capsules scattered on the branches, obo- 

 vate or elliptical, with a pellucid limbus, sessile or seated on short 

 pedicels. Remarkably brittle in a dry state. 



** Secondary branches opposite. 



6. E. granulosus, Ag. (granular Ectocarpus) ; filaments ex- 

 cessively branched slender, upper branches short patent oppo- 

 site, apices elongated and hyaline, capsules solitary elliptical. 

 Ag. Sp. Alg. v. 2. p. 45. — Conferva granulosa, E. Bot. t. 2351. 



On the southern shores of England. — In a variety, sent by Mrs. 

 Griffiths, the ramuli are much crowded, fascicled and recurvo-patent, 

 giving the plant a very feathery appearance to the naked eye. 3 — 10 

 inches long. 



7. E, sphcerdphorus, Carm. MSS. (round-fruited Ectocarpus); 

 filaments sleuder tufted, upper branches patent opposite or in 

 fours, capsules globose opposite to each other or to a branch. 

 E. brachiatus, Ag. Sp. Alg. v. 2. p. 42. — (not Conferva brachi- 

 ata, of E. Bot.) 



On the larger Algae, not rare? Appin, Capt. Carmichael. Sidmouth, 

 Mrs. Griffiths. — Filaments 1—3 inches long, pale chestnut or yellow- 

 brown. This agrees in its ramification with an authentic specimen of 

 E. brachiatus, Ag., but the filaments are coarser, which may depend on 

 difference of locality, for we observe a similar variation between Scotch 

 and Devonshire specimens. Agardh has never seen the capsules : — in 



