CRYPTOGAMS 



171 



New filaments arise from short portions (hormogonia} with rounded 

 ends (Fig. 283, h), when these portions have been set free from the old 

 filaments. 



283. Oscillatoria : a, part of a filament showing hormogonia (A, A) ; c, 

 filaments, less magnified. 



413. The Blue-green Algse comprise a large number of species, 

 many of which differ considerably in general habit from the forms 

 just described. 



GREEN ALGJE 



414. The Green Algse (so called from their pure 

 chlorophyll green color) are mainly small aquatic plants, 

 and chiefly inhabit fresh waters ; though some of them 

 are sub-aerial. The smallest members are distinguishable 

 only with the microscope ; the largest form growths 

 several inches in diameter. 1 The exceedingly numerous 

 species vary widely in structure and mode of life. The 

 few here described will give some idea of the chief types. 

 It should be understood at the outset that only the most 

 important facts of life history are given ; and that in 

 many of the forms modes of reproduction, not here de- 

 scribed, exist. 



415. Pleurococcus. Almost all surfaces that are occa- 

 sionally wet and are not too much exposed to heat and 

 drying as shaded sides of tree trunks, rough posts, and 

 rocks after a time become 



green by the growth of mi- 

 nute unicellular plants of vari- 

 ous kinds. They thrive and 

 multiply in rain, and dew, and 

 resist ordinary drying. One 

 of the commonest of these unicellular forms is Pleuro- 

 coccus (Fig. 284). The plant is simply a microscopic 



284. Pleurococcus. 



1 For example, the familiar Sea Lettuce of the seashore. 



