44 RHODOMELACE^. v. 



coated with oblong, sinuous, irregular cells. The smaller branches are gradually 

 resolved into alternately multifid, articulated ramuli. Internodes of the ramuli 

 about as long as broad, or a little longer. A cross section of the stem shows four 

 primary tubes, surrounded by many rows of cells, smaller gradually to the circum- 

 ference ; the four secondary tubes (alternating with the primaries) large. Ends of 

 the branches and ramuli with abundant byssoid fibrils. Conceptacles broadly 

 ovate, subsessile. Colour a dull, pale red brown. Substance soft, soon decompos- 

 ing. In drying, it adheres very closely to paper. 



This scarcely differs from the following except in the duller colour, less divided 

 ramuli, and shorter internodes. This is the plant published as P. Brodicei in Prof. 

 Bailey's list. I have examined his specimen and find but four primary tubes in 

 the stem ; not six, as in F. Brodicei. 



17. PoLYSiPHONiA violacea, Grev. ; brownish red or purple ; stem inarticulate, 

 marked with irregular cells, robust, alternately branched, decompound ; branches 

 quadrifarious, repeatedly divided, bushy or feathery, the ultimate ramuli exceed- 

 ingly slender, alternately multifid, fibrilliferous ; internodes of the ramuli bistriate, 

 two to four times as long as broad ; primary tubes four, in the stem coated with a 

 thick layer of cells ; conceptacles ovate, stalked or subsessile ; tetraspores in 

 swollen submoniliform ramuli. Ag. Sp. Alg. vol. 2, p. 70. Klitz. Sp. Alg. p. 826. 

 Harv. Phyc. Brit. t. 209. 



/Sfiexicaidis ; stem and branches more slender than common, angularly bent, 

 excessively divided, the lesser divisions very patent and frequently secund ; inter- 

 nodes of the ramuli rather longer than usual. 



Hab. On Zostera, &c., frequently in deep water, beyond tide marks. Penobscot 

 Bay, Maine, Mr. Hooper. Boston Bay, 3Ir. G. B. Emerson, Dr. Durkee, Capt. 

 Pike. New Bedford, Dr. Roche, Mr. Congdon. Seaconnot, Mr. Congdon. A 

 Prince Edward's Island, Dr. Jeans. Profusely common in Halifax harbour in 

 July, W. H. H. (v. V.) 



Subsolitary, or loosely tufted. Stem 6 — 12 inches long, or more, as thick or 

 twice as thick as hog's bristle below, gradually attenuated upwards, simple or but 

 shghtly divided, set throughout with lateral, spirally inserted branches, the lowest 

 of which are longest, the rest gradually shorter upwards. Branches elongate, bear- 

 ing a second or third series of similar but shorter branches, the last of which are 

 alternately multifid, and resolved into excessively slender, finely divided ramuli, 

 the minute division of which, in luxuriant specimens, gives the plant a feathery 

 aspect. The stem and larger branches are opaque, marked with numerous, irregu- 

 larly shaped, veiny cells, without apparent articulation, the nodes being hidden under 

 the cellular coat. The lesser branches and ramuli are pellucidly articulate, the 

 internodes of the former being three or four times, of the latter alwut twice as 

 long as broad. Conceptacles generally pedicellate. Colour varying from brown to 

 purple, often becoming brighter after the plant has been dried. Substance of the 



