Nr. 1] SUBAERIAL ALGAE FROM SOUTH AFRICA 29 



Trentepohlia lagenifera Hildebrandt) Wille var. africana 

 nov. var. V\. V, Fig. 201—220]. 



A fornia tijpica differt filis curuatis et ramosissimis, massas 

 cellularum paene pseudoparencymaticas formantibus. Omnibus par- 

 tibus etiam minor, cellulis vulgo A — 7 u latis. Gametanrjiis diametro 

 12-18 ji. 



This alga forms exlensive browiiish -green or yellowish-brown 

 luslreless coatings on Irunks of Irees. The filaments are character- 

 istic in heing curved and much ramified; long, straight fUajiienls 

 occurring only very rarely. The cells are rather vaiying bath as lo 

 size and shape, usually ellipsoid or ovoid, inflated, 4 — 7 i_i broad, 

 and \]<2 — 2 times as long. At times some few filaments are to be 

 found witih more cylindric cells, not inflated, or only slightly so,3 — 4 

 times as long as broad. The chromatophore in younger cells is one 

 or a couple of lenglhened parietal ribbons or slabs, with evcn or 

 slightly incised edges. A ])yrenoid is wanting. In older cells the 

 chromatopho're is often divided into several smaller pariebal discs. 

 The gametangies are ver\' varying both in shape and size. However, 

 they are usually larger, sometimes considerably larger than the 

 vegetative cells, roundish when young, later on commonly more 

 Itngthened, lo nearly j)yriform. They are formed singly or several 

 in series, terminal or intercalarv. Only towards Ihc lime of ripening 

 the gametangies gel the jHotruding beak so characteristic of Ihe 

 species, and through which the gameles escape. The length of this 

 beak is ven' varving, commonly 3—4 u. The diameier of the 

 gametangies is usually 12 — 18 u. The gametes are ovoid, and are 

 formed in a greal numbcr in oach gamelangium. The species are 

 very frequently to be found with gametangies. 



This alga is one of the commonest subaerial algae from the en- 

 virons of Durban, \vhere I have found il in the following samples: 

 3, 15, 28, 32, 71, 73, 78, 83, 88, 89, 90, 92, 115, 117, 120, 124, 132, 148, 

 153, 245, and 265). 



In one single sample froan Saldanha Bay occurred specimens 

 somewhat (Liffering in the shape of the vegetative cells, being 

 distinguished by spherical cells or nearly so, which usually formed 

 short fi'aments, consisting of few cells only. (Vide pi. VI, fig. 

 221 — 228). Mostly were found only 2 — 3— 4-celled filaments; very 

 common were also single cells, exhibiting one or Iwo flallened parts 

 at the original cross-wall (fig. 228). The diameter of the cell was 

 usually somewhat larger than common, regularly 9 — 11 f.i. Tr. 

 lagenifera, however, is rather unanimously characlerized as a very 

 po ymorphous species. Comp. for instance Rarknhorsts pictures in 

 FL Euroj). Algar. III, p. 300, fig. 104. Figure h in the plate mentionod 

 Ihus very much recalls the specimens in question found by me in 

 South Africa. At times may also among these specimens be seen 

 individuals forming larger and ramified filaments, which shows 



