RED ALG.^. 155 



ents report it extremely common in Southern Cali- 

 fornia, but somewhat rare in the north, growing upon 

 the large rocks and upon other Algae, and in tide 

 pools, all the year around. 



Variety dendtoidea, differs more in appearance 

 from the normal form than do some fully differ- 

 entiated species, and yet, after a careful examination, 

 you will find that the difference consists fundamentally 

 in the branching being made at a much more acute 

 angle in the variety than in the typical form. The 

 frond stretches out to a considerably greater length, 

 four or five inches sometimes, "long, slim and slender" 

 in appearance. The main branches are placed at irreg- 

 ular intervals, but the secondary, at regular intervals, 

 alternate. From the extreme narrow angle, at which 

 the parts branch, they all appear to hug close to the 

 main stems, which gives the slender, narrow look to 

 the frond, and effectually prevents the beautiful 

 plumose aspect, which is seen in the who'.e plant, 

 and in its smallest parts, in the normal form. The 

 color of this variety is a full black, or a very dark 

 brown. In the young parts of both varieties, the 

 interior joints of the fronds may be easily seen with 

 a pocket lens. This variety seems to be even more 

 common along the whole coast than the normal form. 

 It does not adhere to paper. 



