Pulysi-phonia.] ALG.E CONFERVOIDEJE. 329 



lations bi-tri-striate, rosy under the microscope, 2 — 4 or 5 times longer 

 than broad ; dissepiments pellucid. Our specimens are without fruit. — 

 Notwithstanding Lyngbye's figure represents the ramuli as less dense and 

 the joints shorter than I find them on the specimens just described, I 

 feel confident that our plants are similar, and that this species is per- 

 fectly distinct from P. elongata, to which it bears externally the closest 

 resemblance. — It is well distinguished by the totally inarticulate main 

 filaments, and the long jointed bi-striated ramuli, which are moreover not 

 in the least attenuated at the base. — I place it (rather artificially) next 

 to P. Brodicei, on account of its inarticulate stems. 



B. filaments articulated throughout. 

 * Marked with two stria:. 



5. P. Jrbrdta, (bearded Polysiphonia) ; filaments elongated 

 setaceous gelatinous bi-striated flexuose loosely branched, ra- 

 muli dichotomous fasciculate, axils patent, upper articulations 

 2 — 3 times longer than broad, capsules ovate pedunculate. — 

 Conferva fibrata, Dillw. Conf. Syn. p. 84. t. G, (according to the 

 original specimens.) — Hutchinsia roseola, Ag. Sp. Alg. v. '2. p. 92. 

 — H. stricta, Ag. Syst. Alg. (not of Lyngb. ?) 



Sea-shores, on the larger Algae ; Forres, Mr. Brodie. Cawsie, Messrs. 

 Borrer and Hooktr. Appin, Captain Cannichacl. Brixham, Devon, 

 Mrs. Griffiths.— Vrobi\h\\ not uncommon. Filaments 2— 10 inches long, 

 thicker than hog's bristle at the base, (in the Devonshire specimens) at- 

 tenuated upwards to an extreme fineness, very flaccid and gelatinous, 

 forming loose tufts ; low er branches scattered, upper ones crowded, many 

 times dichotomous and broadly fasciculate ; ramuli multifid, axils re- 

 markably patent. Articulations variable, those of the stems 4 — 6, those 

 of the branches 2—3 times longer than broad :— those of the ramuli very 

 short. — Colour a fine purple-red, brighter on drying. Fructification of 

 2 kinds : 1. Capsules ovate, obtuse, dark-coloured, 4 — 5 times the di- 

 ameter of the filament, when full grown, scattered over the upper ramuli 

 and raised on short peduncles. — 2. granules imbedded in distorted 

 ramuli.— J consider this to he a very distinct .spene^ though its charac- 

 ters are not easy to define in a few words. The habit in the larger spe- 

 cimens is very nearly that of /'. Broduet, while in its microscopic charac- 

 ter, this species approaches I 1 , stricta. Of the correctness of my reference 

 to Dillwyn, I am quite certain, having examined numerous authentic 

 specimens; but I am not so Mire that our plant is the /'. roseola oi 

 Agardh, though I have a Bpecimen from this author now before me. — 



It appears merely to differ in its diminutive size and Blender filaments. 

 lint m our P.JIbrata these characters are extremely variable-: — Mr. Bro- 

 die's specimens are not two inches in length, while Mrs. Griffiths' 

 largest ones are 10 or 12 inches.— The fibres at the apices, on which 

 much Btress i> laid bj Dillwyn, are nothing more than whit occur in 



many other Bpectes. 



• ;. I*. stricta, Grer. (Uraighi Pctyriphonia) ; filaments densely 

 cssspitose setaceous flaccid bi-striate dichotomous, branches ami 

 ramuli straight erect, axils acute, upper articulations 1 — o 

 tunes longer than broad, capsules ovate sessile -( 'on/erva* 

 Dillw. Conf, t. 40r-—Hutchi**ia stricta^ Ag. Sp* dig* r. 2. | 

 — Lyngb, Hydroph, Dan. /. .'{»> ? 



