76 SMA MOSSES. 



G^&n\x%.— PHYLLOSPORA* Ag. 



Phyllospora Menziesii, Ag. 



This is a very common' plant, growing along the 

 whole California coast, at all seasons, upon rocks 

 between tides and below. It is found on the sea 

 beach of the ocean and Bay, at San Diego, thrown up 

 from deep water, and at Castle Point, Santa Barbara, 

 in deep water. From a branching hold-fast, a 

 short, round stem rises, which immediately divides 

 irregularly, into several long, flattened strap-like 

 branches, many feet, sometimes many fathoms long, 

 from one-quarter to one inch wide, thickish, rough- 

 ened, or smooth, and bordered on each edge with 

 a profusion of leaves. The leaves are wide and 

 rounded at top, narrow or distinctly stalked at bot- 

 tom, varying in length from one-half inch to six or 

 more inches. Sometimes set an inch apart, some- 

 times crowded close together, and interspersed at 

 intervals with large, pear-shaped air vessels, one-haVf 

 to three-quarters of an inch in diameter, these are 

 often tipped with a leaflet. The plant may be infal- 

 lably determined by the distinctive marks given above. 

 It should be partly dried before putting in the press. 



* Phyllospora = Spore-bearing leaves. 



