126 CJOETOPHORE^E. 



small fragment be examined, it will be seen, with surprise, 

 that it is formed of an assemblage of principal filaments, 

 parallel, elongated, and which bear at their extremities sub- 

 divisions, very short, composed of three or four branches. The 

 white grains are here seen in great quantity, which proceed 

 from ruptured rings, and are destined to reproduce the plant, 

 so that it is difficult to doubt the destination of these grains, 

 even when this has not been confirmed by direct proofs. 



" This Batrachosperm, without doubt, has not yet been 

 described, and it is necessary to observe, that it is difficult 

 to discern at first sight a Conferva in the gelatinous material 

 which forms it, but that which is obscure to the simple sight 

 becomes distinct to the microscope.'' Vaucher. 



Mr. Harvey, in his description of this species, compares the 

 mode of branching of the frond to stags' horns, a comparison 

 which conveys a very good idea of the appearance of this 

 beautiful object. 



3. CHJSTOPHORA TUBERCULOSA Hook. 

 Plate IX. Figs. 7, 8. 



Char. " Gelatinous matrix, at first glabrous and firm, after- 

 wards much lobed, fragile, and hollow. Filaments very 

 slender, fiexuous, hyaline. Ramuli coloured, palmate, fas- 

 ciculate." Harvey. 



Harvey, in Hooker's Brit. Flor. Rivularia tuberculosa, E. 

 Bot. t. 2366. Ch. tuberculosa Harvey, in Manual, p. 122. 



Hob. Diana Pond, Bushey Park : A. H. H. Aberdeen : 

 Dr. Dickie. Neighbourhood of Manchester : Mr. Side- 

 botham. Barnett's Wood, near Tunbridge Wells : Mr. 

 Jenner. 



" On sticks and aquatic plants in boggy pools. Fronds 

 bright green, an inch or more in diameter." Harv. 



It is doubtful as to whether this is to be regarded as 

 any thing more than a variety of the following species, C. 

 elegans, the Batrachospermum intricatum of Vaucher, or that 

 species much developed ; the softness and hollowness of the 

 matrix both resulting from the extraordinary developement. 



