CRYPTOGAMIA ALGIE. 997 



Upon the Weftern coaft we found fragments of it 

 caft upon the fhore. VIII. 



This is from three to fix inches long, of a bright 

 red or purple color when frefh, and one of the 

 mod elegant of our fub-marine plants. 



Itaftecls a conical form of growth, having a prin- 

 cipal ftem or ilalk continued through the middle 

 of the plant, from the bafe to the fummit. This 

 central ftalk is of the fize of a coarfe thread, of 

 a cartilaginous fubftance, indiftinflly jointed, 

 generally covered with rough fpongy hairs, 

 nightly comprefs'd, and commonly a little 

 waved in its growth. 



The branches are of a lanceolate form, diflichous, 

 and alternately pinnated, each having a central 

 rib continued through its whole length, often- 

 times waved. 



Thefe branches are again alternately pinnated with 

 lefTer fecondary ones, and thefe again frequently 

 a third time in the fame order, fo as to end at 

 laft in fine linear fubulate jointed fegments, the 

 joints numerous, fhort, pellucid, and nearly 

 cylindrical ; the fepta of a deep red color. 



The fruflifications are male and female upon di- 

 ftinft plants. 



The males are fmall red conic grains or capfules 

 growing out of the finer fegments on very fliort 

 peduncles. 



S f f 3 The 



