being formed by the evolution of the cortical cells. Each paranema bears 

 several linear-oblong, sessile, blunt spores, one at nearly every joint ; these 

 are at first pellucid, but afterwards tilled with dense endochrome. The sub- 

 stnnce of stem and branches is rigid and wiry. The colour is a very dark 

 olive-brown, greener (but sometimes foxy) in the terminal balls. 



In our last number, when speaking of Encyothalia Cliftoni 

 (PL LXIL), the very singular Alga which we now figure was 

 alluded to. Who was its earliest discoverer is uncertain. The 

 first specimens I saw were shown to me by Dr. Mueller ; but 

 I afterwards found in Mr. Gunn's herbarium some old scraps 

 picked up at Georgetown, where also Mr. Henty has dredged 

 fine specimens. The most prolific habitat, however, as yet known, 

 is Western Port, where, about Christmas, 1854, it was cast 

 ashore, after a storm, in considerable quantity. The appearance, 

 when a large tuft is freshly thrown up, is singular ; the stiff" wiry 

 stems and branches standing out, each tipped with a round ball 

 QiiooolJy hairs; and the Colonial name "■ Tagrag and bobtail" 

 is not without appropriateness. The English botanist will how- 

 ever be reminded of the EriopJiorum, or Cotton-Grass, of our 

 mountains and bogs, the resemblance to which is very consider- 

 able, and if the colour of the balls were white, would be complete. 



It is needless to contrast this most distinctly characterized 

 genus with any other. Its nearest known ally is Encyothalia, 

 and a comparison of the figure now^ given with that just referred 

 to, will show that these plants could not well be placed in the 

 same genus, if the principles received among algologists be ad- 

 hered to. 



The present Alga, besides its intrinsic interest, will always 

 have a special claim on the attention of the collector, from its 

 recalling the name of Bellot, so nobly associated with the 

 search after Pbanklin. 



Fio-. 1. An umbellate branch of Bellotia Eriophokum, — ilie natural size. 2. 

 Cross section of a receptacle. 3. Paranemata, with spores from the same: 

 — the latter figures magnified. 



