Ser. RHODOSPERME. Fam. Helminthocladea. 
Prate CCLXXII. 
HELMINTHOCLADIA AUSTRALIS, Zarv. 
Gen. Cuar. Frond cylindrical, gelatinous, branched to all sides, formed 
of a fibrous axis and continuous periphery of investing filaments ; 
axis composed of branching, longitudinal filaments loosely interwoven ; 
peripheric filaments issuing subhorizontally from the threads of the 
axis, dichotomous, fastigiate, free. | Cystocarps immersed in the pe- 
ripheric stratum, formed of many spore-threads radiating from a cen- 
tral point. Zetraspores unknown.—HetmintHoctanpta (J. Ag.) from 
EApvs, a worm, and Kradog, a branch ; the soft, gelatinous branches 
resemble worms. 
“* Frons teretiuscula, gelatinosa, quoquoversum ramosa, axi filisque investientibus, 
stratum continuum periphericum formantibus, constitula ; axis filis ramosis 
laxe intertextis longitudinalibus articulatis contextus ; fila peripherica a filis 
axis subhorizontaliter egredientia, dichotoma, fustigiata, invicem libera. Des- 
miocarpia strato peripherico subimmersa, filis gemmiduferis plurimis clavatis 
a puncto centrali radiantibus nudis constituta.” J. Ag. 
Hetmintuocrantia australis ; frond terete, wormlike, decompoundly much 
branched, branches lateral, horizontally patent, attenuated upwards, 
spreading to all sides, simple or compound. 
H. australis ; fronde tereti vermiformi decomposite ramosissima, ramis laterali- 
bus horizontaliter patentibus sursum attenuatis quoquoversum egredientibus 
simplicibus v. ramosis. 
HELMINTHOCLADIA australis, Harv. in Herb. T. C. D. 
Has. Fremantle, W. Australia. 
Grocer. Distr. West coast of Australia. 
Descr. Root a small disc. Fronds densely tufted, 6-12 inches long, and fully as 
much in the expansion of the branches. Main stem generally undivided, 
percurrent, closely set throughout its whole length with horizontally patent 
branches, of which the lowest are longest and most compound. Branches 
worm-like, not attenuated at base, but tapering to a subacute apex, either 
quite simple or once or twice forked, and frequently furnished with lateral, 
simple, or forked secondary branches. Fruit unknown. Colour a pale, 
dull, brownish purple, soon fading in fresh water.. Substance cartilagineo- 
gelatinous, tough and elastic, very soft. In drying, the frond most closely 
‘adheres to paper. 
