BoT.-VoL. II.] NOTT—CALIFORiVIAN NITOPHYLLA. 25 



Collins. It is the only specimen which, to the writer's 

 knowledge, has thus far been seen on this coast. 



N. corallinarujn is a very minute plant in comparison with 

 the other Nitophylla of the coast. Corallina chilensis, upon 

 which the Nitofhyllum grows, attains a height between 8 

 and 12 cm., and in the lower portion a width of 5 cm. or 

 more. The branches of the Coralline are arranged pin- 

 nately along the main axis from base to apex of the plant. 

 The general outline is very regularly fan-shaped. The &y^- 

 ^h.y\\c JVi top hy Hum extends, by means of its prostrate frond, 

 over the entire surface of the Coralline, to which it adheres 

 firmly by means of the rhizoidal processes that are produced 

 abundantly from the surface in contact with the Coralline. 

 From the prostrate frond rise at regular intervals erect 

 branches which are shortly stalked and expand into ovate- 

 spatulate or elliptical fronds, which may reach a height of 7 

 mm. and a width of 3 mm. The color is a rosy red to dull 

 carmine. So completely is the Coralline enveloped by the 

 Nitofhyllitm, that the natural color of the former, as well as 

 its jointed structure, is very much obscured. The thin and 

 delicate frond of N. corallinariim presents the tessellated 

 surface characteristic of the genus. Throughout both the 

 prostrate and erect fronds may be distinguished minute 

 microscopic veins, which branch more or less freely and 

 remain free. 



The sporangia are prominent and large, considering the 

 general minute size of the plant. They occur in clusters 

 rather than in sori of definite shape, and are borne upon the 

 body of the erect frond or on its segments. Tetraspores 

 of unusually large size are formed in the sporangia. 



This plant may ultimately be found to be identical with 

 some species of Europe. Such a determination must be 

 left, however, to future observation upon more abundant 

 material. 



Habitat. — Epiphytic on Corallina chilensis. 



DistrihiUion. — Concerning the distribution of N. coralli- 

 narinn little can be said. The Coralline upon which it 

 grows is found along the coast from San Diego northward 



