RED ALGJE. 165 



at Wood's Holl, the last days of October. In the 

 water it was olive, but in drying it turned black. 



Chondriopsis nidifica, Harv. 



This plant is a native of the Pacific coast. It 

 grows to the height of six or eight inches, as thick 

 as a sparrow's quill, cylindrical, inarticulate, sparingly 

 branched, in a manner between alternate and fork- 

 ing. Branches several inches long, quite simple, or 

 once or twice forked. The branches are either alto- 

 gether naked, or bear, at considerable intervals, little 

 tufts of short, incurved fruit-bearing ramuli, a quarter 

 of an inch or so, long. This is the distinguishing 

 feature of the plant. I have plants, but no notes of 

 this species, from my correspondents on the Pacific 

 coast. Another species, which Agardh reckons the 

 same as this, C. atropurpurea, is also found on that 

 coast. I have specimens, but no data for telling how 

 plentiful it is, or where it may be found. 



Genus.-- LAURENCIA* Lam. 



But three species of this genus are reported on 

 the California coast, two only of which are sufficiently 

 common to come within the scope of this book. 



* Laurencia. — Named for M. de la Laurencie. 



