296 



BY THE DEEP SEA. 



mentioned out of its place here, in order that we may bring 

 into its proper order a plant that is frequently taken as a mere 

 aberration of the CJlva. This weed is the Asperococcus turneri, 

 a hollow green bladder on a short stalk, and rough with the 

 spore-bearing organs. It is commonly found adhering to 

 stones between tide-marks 



One of the most 

 beautiful of our sea- 

 weeds is known as the 

 Peacock's-tail (Padina 

 pavonid). It is really 

 a tropical species, but 

 its range of distribu- 

 tion extends to our 

 most southern shores, 

 and, strange to say, 

 without suffering any 

 deterioration in its 

 brilliance of hue or its 

 stature. From a very 

 narrow base the frond 

 gradually expands to 

 a broad fan - shape, 

 and the edges are 

 curled in so that it 

 assumes a cup-shape. But the chief beauty of the plant is 

 given by a number of concentric lines and bands. Several of 

 these bands are white, as though they had been chalked : their 

 colour is in fact due to a chalky powder, calcium carbonate, 

 which is secreted by the plant. Many of the lines are formed 

 by a fringe of glistening hairs, which reflect the light and break 

 it up into all the colours of the spectrum, and a more distinct 

 fringe decorates the upper margin of the frond. Reproduction 

 takes place by the formation of large spores, which are found 

 in heaps between the zones. These are known as tetraspores^ 



PEACOCK S TAIL. 



