RED ALGjS. 169 



never did." So may we say of this Alga, "Doubtless 

 the Hand that fashioned this graceful and brilliant 

 plant could make a finer. But it is certain He never 

 has, to grow on our shores, at least.'' 



Holding to stones and shells by a minute disk, not 

 so big as a pin-head, with the merest thread of a 

 stem, not a quarter of an inch long, it grows down 

 on the sea bottom, five or six fathoms deep. From 

 this slender thread of a stem, the wavy-edged, thin, 

 delicate red membrane of a frond, gradually expands 

 to the width of three or four inches, and rises to the 

 height of one to two feet or more, tapering to a 

 rounded point at the top. Along the middle of the 

 whole length of the frond, runs a fine but distinct line 

 of deeper color, and apparently thicker substance, 

 which not a little resembles the midrib in the leaf of 

 terrestrial plants. The edges are full, and ruffled, 

 or wavy, so that when put on paper they fold in 

 "plaits," at regular intervals, deepening the color at 

 these places, and adding another charm to the picture 

 which the mounted plant makes. 



This beautiful plant grows along our shores from 

 Long Island Sound to Fortress Monroe, being most 

 abundant and most luxuriant about New York Bay. 

 It is in its perfection by the first of August, when it 

 loosens in great numbers, firom its deeper fastnesses, 



