406 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [NOVEMBER 
of definite and conspicuous conceptacles, even though scattered 
indefinitely over the entire thallus, places it more closely with the 
Fucaceae. There seems no good reason for placing Splachnidium 
(13) with the Ectocarpaceae. 
Summary 
1. The initial row of Splachnidium is similar in origin and 
development to the ‘‘initial” of the Fucaceae, except that in 
Splachnidium it involves an entire linear row of thallus tissue; 
it may or may not include a terminal hair; and it accompanies 
vegetative as well as reproductive activity. 
2. It seems unwise to place Splachnidium under a separate 
family; rather is it preferable to retain it under the Fucaceae, 
regarding it as a primitive member of that group for the following 
reasons: (a) it closely resembles the Fucaceae in the structure of the 
thallus, but has an apical meristem in place of a segmenting apical 
cell with consequent dichotomy; (6) true conceptacles are present 
which in origin and development are of the same general type 
as those of the Fucaceae, but are scattered indefinitely over the 
entire plant body; (c) the reproductive sacs may prove to contain 
isogamous gametes. 
Acknowledgment is due to Professors Joun M. Courter and 
CHARLES J. CHAMBERLAIN for their suggestions and criticisms. 
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO 
LITERATURE CITED 
1. AGARDH, J. G., Species, genera, et ordines Algarum. London. 1848. 
2. Drew, G. H., The reproduction and early development of Laminaria 
digitata and L. saccharina. Ann. Botany 24:177—-190. pls. 14, 15. 1910. 
3- GREVILLE, R. K., Algae Britannicae. Edinburgh. 1830. 
4- Harvey, W. H., Phycologia australica. London. 1858-1863. 
5. Hooker, J. D., Handbook of the New Zealand flora. London. 1867. 
6. Kyectman, F. R., in ENGLER and Prantt’s Die natiirliche Pflanzen- 
familien 1?:Leipzig. 1897. 
_ 7 Ktrzinc, F. T., Phycologia generalis. Leipzig. 1843. 
8. Larne, R. M., Observations on the Fucoideae of Bank’s Peninsula. Trans 
and Proc. New Zealand Inst. 18:303-311. pl. ro. 1885. 
