TOLYPELLA GLOMBRATA. 



137 



becoming spongy, semi-opaque, light yellow to dull 

 yellowish brown with linear granulations (PI. V, 

 figs. 8, 9). Antheridia 326-376 fi in diameter. 



Habitat. — In pools and ditches in fresh and brack- 

 ish water, most frequently near the coast, often in 

 company with Ghara vulgaris to which when growing, 

 in spite of its entirely different structure, it bears a 

 superficial resemblance. Widely distributed and not 

 uncommon in England and Ireland, rare in Wales and 

 Scotland. 



Distribution. — England: Devon, N. & S.; Somer- 

 set, N.; Wight; Hants, S. ; Sussex, W. & B. ; Kent, 

 W. &E.; Essex, N.; Herts; Middlesex; Berks; Bucks; 

 Suffolk, W.; Norfolk, E. & W. ; Cambs; Beds ; Hunts; 

 G-loster, E. ; Lincoln, N. & S. ; Derby; Cheshire; 

 Lanes, S. & W. ; Yorks, S.E, N.E., S.W., & M.W. 



Wales: Glamorgan; Anglesey. 



Scotland : Forfar ; Bbudes, S. ; Caithness ; Orkney. 



Ireland : Kerry, N. ; Limerick ; Clare ; Tipperary, 

 N. ; Carlow ; Galway, S.E., W. & N.E. ; King's Co. ; 

 Kildare; Dublin; Westmeath ; Sligo ; Donegal, B. ; 

 Armagh. 



First record (as G. nidifica) : ' English Botany,' 1807. 



Outside the British Isles T. glomerata is recorded 

 from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium, 

 Spain, France, Italy, and Austria; also from North 

 Africa, Western Asia, and Australasia. 



A very variable species, usually of medium stature and 

 tuFted growth, and generally completely incrusted. Tlie 

 fruiting portion is usually in dense heads, but occasionally 

 lax. The conspicuously curved rays give it a very distinctive 

 appearance. The proembryonic terminal process often persists 

 for a considerable time, overtopping the rest of the plant 

 with its long whip-like ends. By tjie time the fruit is ripe, the 

 plant has usually become very brittle and dilapidated in 

 appearance, hence a mature condition of the plant is often 

 lacking in herbarium specimens. 



