Objects for the Microscope. 191 



ribbed or jointed ; but upon examination we find a tissue of 

 hexagonal cells, each with a red dot in the centre, and if we 

 make a longitudinal section we find oblong cells, through 

 which runs a red filament. It is found upon the drifted 

 stems of Laminaria and upon rocks in the sea. There are 

 several species, of which Rho dornela pynastroides is the most 

 common. 



SPYRIDIA FILAMENTOSA. 



This is rare in England, but found on the coast of Devon- 

 shire, the Isle of Wight, and the Channel Islands. The 

 name is derived from a Greek word signifying " basket" 

 which the receptacles resemble ; for the stalked gelatinous 

 receptacles have a membranous pericarp often surrounded 

 by an involucre of short ramuli, containing two or three 

 masses of roundish granules ; it is these which look like 

 baskets. 



CHAETOSPORA WIGGII 



is very beautiful, but rarely obtained in fruit, and has not 

 yet been thoroughly investigated ; therefore it is mentioned 

 rather to induce observation when the plant is found in 

 perfection. It is gathered on the coast of Normandy and 

 in the Channel Islands ; Sidmouth, Brighton, and Yarmouth 

 also yield it occasionally. It is of a fine rose colour, and 

 has very delicate filiform fronds. 



HALYMENTA 



has a compressed frond, pinky red, consisting of a very 

 delicate membrane, which when in fruit is dotted with Sori, 

 and a transverse section should be made, which will show 

 the spores, called in this plant " favellidia," attached to the 

 inner surface of the membrane. It is found abundantly on 

 the coast on rocks and stones, in the sea during summer. 



DASYA. 



There are four species of this lovely Sea-weed. The 

 name is taken from a Greek word signifying liairy. The 

 commonest of them, Dasya coccinea, is often mistaken for 



