series of shorter and subdistichous branchlets are given off ; the ultimate ra- 

 muli being setaceous, 2-3 lines long, more or less numerous. Cystocarps are 

 formed, two together, in the ultimate ramuli, which then become fusiform ; 

 they consist of moniliform strings of spore-threads issuing from a placenta 

 surruunding the central axile filament of the branchlet, which remains nearly 

 unchanged in structure. Nemathecia have not beeu seen. The whole sur- 

 face of the frond is coated with very minute, unicellular, taper-pointed hairs, 

 visible only under a considerable magnifying power. Colour a full rosy- 

 red, becoming darker in drying. The substance is soft, but cartilaginous, 

 not very tender, and the frond in drying adheres closely to paper. 



The genus DasypUoea was founded by Montague on an Alga 

 from New Zealand, closely allied to the subject of the present 

 Plate, if indeed it be specifically distinct ; and the generic cha- 

 racter, as first given, was chiefly based on the presence of the 

 microscopic pubescence alluded to in the generic name. As such 

 pubescence is very unusual among the Algae, it serves at once 

 to mark the genus, which is further distinguished by peculiari- 

 ties of structure and fructification that fully bear out Dr. Mon- 

 tague's decision. The natural affinities of BasypUcea appear to 

 me to be rather with Bhabdonia than with Chrysymenia, next 

 which it is doubtfully placed by Agardh. The hinate arrange- 

 ment of the cystocarps is peculiar, but the spore-threads re- 

 semble those of Bhabdonia, Arescliovgia, and Erythroclonium ; 

 and while the liabit of BasypJdoea is near that of Bhabdonia, it 

 agrees in structure better with Erythroclonium. Between these 

 genera it may be naturally placed. But whether I am right in 

 retaining the small group to which Bhabdonia is referable 

 {BwnontiecR of Agardh) among the Bhodymeniacece, is a question 

 which admits of reconsideration. 



Fig. 1. Dasyphlcea Tasmanica, — the natural me. 2. A small branchlet, with 

 fertile ramvdi. 3. Cross section of the frond. 4. One of the superficial 

 hairs. 5. Cross section through a fertile ramulus, showing the binate cys- 

 tocarps. 6. One of the excurrent filaments. 7. '^owlq spore-threads ixoxa. 

 the cystocarps : — the latter figures more or less magnified. 



