375 



RHODOMELA (Ag.) J. G. Ag. 



45. Rh. lycopodioides (L.) Ag. Kjellm., N. I., p. 139 (107); Gigar- 

 tina lycopodioides Lyngb., Hydrophyt., p. 45. 



f. typica Kjellm., 1. c. 



Most of the Færoese specimens bear a slight resemblance to 

 subforma compacta Kjellm., a few approach somewhat to subforma 

 laxa Kjellm. 



This species occurs both in the littoral zone, near low-water 

 mark, and in the sublittoral, in shallow water. It grows on rocks 

 and stones and sometimes in rock -pools. It is found along open 

 sea-shores as well as in sheltered localities in the interior of fjords, 

 and in narrow sounds, and grows in quite shallow water where 

 the tide is not felt. 



Tetrasporic specimens were found in May and June. 



This species, which was already found by Landt (1. c. p. 229), is 

 fairly common along the coasts of the Færoes. 



I think Gigartina subfusca (3 racemosa Lyngb. (Hydrophyt., p. 47), 

 which Lyngbye reports from the Færoes ought to be referred to this 

 species. The specimen in his herbarium, which is from Kvalbo, is only 

 a small fragment, but is noteworthy on account of its copious branching, 

 which, in connection with its numerous tetraspores, gives it a different 

 appearance. 



46. Rh. subfusca (Woodw.) Ag., J. Ag., Spec. Alg., Vol. II, p. 883. 



Though I am of opinion that it is hardly possible to distinguish 

 the present species from the preceding I have followed Kjell mans 

 definition of species (cfr. N. I., pp. 147 — 8 (113)) and referred just a 

 few specimens to this species. The transverse section of some 

 gathered at Tværaa showed that the central large-celled tissue was 

 sharply defined from the peripheral small-celled tissue and thus agreed 

 with Kjellm an 's fig. 4, tab. 8, so that they cannot be Rh. virgata; 

 The small branches on the longer ones were distinctly subulate 

 and not fusiformed as Kjell man says is the case in Rhodomela 

 lycopodioides. While these characters agree fairly well with Rh. 

 subfusca, the specimens (from Tværaa) referred to this species differ 

 from it in being dark-red and not black as Kjell man mentions 

 being the case in Rh. subfusca. In habit the piants resembled fairly 

 closely specimens of Rh. subfusca gathered by Le Jolis near Cher- 

 bourg. Beyond these specimens I have referred only a few to this 

 species laying more particular stress on their outer habit; but as 



