190 Objects for the Microscope. 



group of stalked spore-cases, in which are numerous seeds. 

 The texture of the plant also is a beautiful microscopic 

 object. It is found from June to September all round the 

 English and Scottish coast. 



' DELESSERIA 



is only microscopic in its fructification, and as an example 

 of Sori. It has two kinds of fructification : 



1. Capsules, containing spores, and these are always 

 found upon the mid-rib and stem of the plant. 



2. Sori, or masses of granules collected into little spots 

 or lines in the substance of the frond, or in little leaflets or 

 distinct pod-like leafy processes, which form a sort of fringe 

 on the mid-rib and margin of the plant. We never find 

 more than one kind of fruit on any individual. 



Delesseria is a well-known and abundant Sea-weed, a 

 favourite in all collections, from its beautiful colour and 

 broad fronds. 



Delesseria limosa is found after storms attached to the 

 stems ofLaminaria digitata. Specimens "have been gathered 

 in which the frond measured four inches across. 



There is one species, Delesseria ruscifolia, which deserves 

 microscopic attention from its substance between the mid-rib 

 and margin being transversed by white pellucid branched 

 veins composed of a single row of elongate cellules. The 

 colour is a fine rose-pink ; it is found from May to Septem- 

 ber at Yarmouth, Torquay, Bognor, Ilfracombe, &c. 



RHODOMELA. 



This is a large, bushy plant, beautifully tufted in the 

 spring, and bearing feathery tufts of ramuli of light brown- 

 purplish colour. In early summer, about June, the fruit is 

 found, and is of two kinds : 



1. Nearly globular capsules, full of free, pear-shaped 

 seeds. 



2. Stichidia, pod-like receptacles, with termite granules 

 imbedded in the substance. 



Sections of a ripe pod and of the stem are beautiful under 

 the microscope. The external appearance is as if it were 



