lated, slightly contracted at the dissepiments. Articulations as long as 
broad. Cystocarps unknown. ‘etraspores sessile on the inner surface of 
the ramelli. Colour of the stem and branches dark red; of the ramuli 
blood-red. Substance cartilaginous and rather rigid. In drying, the stem 
and branches adhere imperfectly, the ramuli more closely, to paper. 
A singular-looking Alga, remarkable for the great dispropor- 
tion between the diameter of the stem and branches and that of 
the ramuli. These latter seem to sprout out proliferously, at no 
certain point, without apparent order. It is possible that m the 
young plant there may be a greater gradation, and that the 
specimens here figured are plants of the second year, which had 
become denuded, and have pushed forth a new crop of young 
branches. Against this view it may be urged that no interme- 
diate state has yet been observed in the eight years that have 
elapsed since Mr. Clifton first collected this plant. Though the 
cystocarps are wnknown, it can scarcely be doubted that our 
plant is a Spyridia. 
I regret that the plate has been struck in too purple an ink. 
Hig. 1. SpyripIA PROLIFERA,—the natural size. 2. Portion of one the proli- 
ferous ramuli. 3. Ramelli, from the same, one of them bearing fe¢raspores. 
4. A transverse section of a branch,—magnijied. 
