254 WOOD, ON ALG^ FROM A CALIFORNIAN HOT SPRING. 



the genus Chroococcus, Nageli. This genus contains the 

 very lowest known organisms — simple cells without nuclei, 

 multiplying, as far as known, only by cell-division. These 

 cells are found single or associated in small families ; and in 

 certain species these families are united to form a sort of in- 

 determinate gelatinous stratum. In these species the families 

 are composed of but very few cells, surrounded by a very large, 

 more or less globular or elliptical mass of transparent firm 

 jelly. The species is very closely allied to Chroococcus tur- 

 gidus, var. thermalis, Rabenh., from which it differs in the 

 outer jelly not being lamellated. 



The following is the technical description of the species : 



C. thermopJiilis , sp. nov. 



Ch. cellulis singulis aut geminis vel quadrigeminis et in 

 familias consociatis, oblongis vel subglobosis, interdum 

 angulosis, hand stratum mucosum formantibus ; tegumento 

 crassissimo, achroo, baud lamelloso, homogeneo ; cytioplas- 

 mate viridi, interdum subtiliter granulate, interdum homo- 

 geneo. 



Diam. Cellula3 singulse sine tegumento longitude maxima 

 Wtth" latitude maxima ^-t'tto"' 



