218 BRITISH SEA- WEEDS. 



gelatinous, repeatedly and regularly forked; articulations 

 two to four times longer than broad, tapering from the base 

 to the apex, which is rounded, those below somewhat cylin- 

 drical, those in the middle almost pear-shaped, those above 

 connected in necklace-like strings. Favellse stalkless, sur- 

 rounded by short branchlets at the apex of the articula- 

 tions ; tetraspores in clusters, several of which are whorled 

 round the joints, and surrounded by short, involucral 

 ramelli. 



The appearance of this species differs from that of all 

 other British sea-weeds. It grows on rocks in deep 

 pools, near low-water mark, and is distributed all round 

 our coasts. It is annual, and in perfection in sunamer. 

 Its natural colour is a rosy-crimson, but this is rapidly 

 lost by exposure, or in fresh water ; indeed it is very diffi- 

 cult to obtain specimens perfect in this respect, as the 

 collector is for the most part compelled to be content 

 with those which may be thrown on shore by the waves. 

 Even faded specimens, however, are very beautiful when 

 fresh, their transparent, gelatinous texture causing 

 them to sparkle in the sun, like clusters of brilliant 

 beads ; and it is with a feeling of regret that one applies 

 the pressure that will reduce them from this lovely 

 phase of their existence to the mere shadow of their 

 former selves, which will appear on the paper when the 

 process of drying is completed. 



Griffithsia Devoniensis. The Devonshire Grif- 

 fithsia. 



IVonds tufted, from two to three inches long, very slen- 

 der, forkedly divided, gelatinous ; articulations many times 

 longer than broad, cylindrical, slightly thickened and con- 



