63 



1. a, that the branches are „remarkably truncated at the tips,, 

 which are moreover depressed in the centre. These broad, flat- 

 tened or subconcave tips are the least variable character of the 

 species". So far as my experiences goes, this is not due to any 

 form of L. fruticulosum, or any other species hitherto known but 

 L. crassum, in the latter, however, apparently often occurring. So 

 also in regard to one of Hauck's specimens of the typical form. 

 I got a specimen collected at Falmouth by Mr. R. N. Tell an and 

 determined b3^Mr. Batters as i-, crassum, also by him considered 

 in part identic with Harvey's plant. It has a nearly solid central 

 portion, and the densely crowded and nearly fastigiate, rather 

 coarse branches are very short and almost simple, with rounded- 

 thickened ends, and in all most closely connected with the above 

 f. capitellata. 



Nullipora fasciculata Johns t. doubtlessly belongs to the 

 same series of forms. Cp. 1. c. pl. 24, fig, 6. Besides, probably 

 also in part his L. polymorphum. Thus pl. 24, fig. 1 and 3 1. c. 

 appear likewise to be referrible to the present species. 



Of L. fasciculatum Crn. I have seen some fragments of an 

 authentic specimen from Crouans collection in Museum d'Histoire 

 Naturelle of Paris. They are, however, too small to be determined 

 with certainty, as they are also sterile. The specimen appears to 

 have been very nearly related to fig. 2 by Harvey 1. c, not 

 unlikely being a form of the present species, or perhaps referrible 

 to L. incrustans . f. Harveyi. 



L. racemus auet. appears to be a very uncertain plant. Hauck, 

 who has perhaps seen original specimens, refers the form recorded 

 by Solms-Laubach 1. c. to L. crassum. The plant, to which 

 the name was originally applied by Lamarck 1. c. p. 311 I, 

 however, should be most inclined to refer to L. fruticulosum. 



Relation to other species. As quoted under L. fruticulosum 

 these two species are closely related to one another. However, if 

 the shape and size of the conceptacles of sporangia may prove to 

 be as a general rule like those described above, the species must 

 be considered rather well defined. Also L. crassum appears to 

 show some affinity to certain forms of L. glaciale, but is separated 



