RED ALG^. 143 



The variety formosa is really very beautiful as 

 its name implies. It is distinguished from the typical 

 form, by its much finer and silkier filaments, and 

 by its retaining its rich, red-brown color when dried 

 on paper. 



The open variety, patens, is not uncommon, is 

 more rigid than the typical form, and its end branch- 

 lets are recurved. The species grows on rocks, 

 and sometimes on the stems of Laminaria flexicaulis, 

 in pools, and not far below low tide. I found it 

 very plentiful in July and August, floating in the 

 sea, by the rocky shore at Clifton, Marblehead, 

 and took scores of fine specimens, including every 

 variety of form. I have some exquisite plants of 

 the var. formosa, taken by my friend, A. R. Young, 

 at College Point, L. I., as early as May 6th. 



POLYSIPHONIA HaRVEYI, BaIL. 



This is a common and very distinct species. I 

 have found it in our northern waters, growing most 

 commonly upon Zostera, or " Eel-grass." In the water 

 it has a marked bushy, or shrub-like aspect, with 

 stiff branches spreading out widely in every direction, 

 so that the plant makes a globose outline. 



Each tuft is a single frond, stout at the base, 

 as thick as a bristle, but the parts gradually atten- 



