206 SEA MOSSES. 



full grown, very elastic and tough. It divides and 

 sub-divides by regular forkings, the axils being wide 

 and rounded. Sometimes a frond, or a branch, will 

 divide into three or four lobes at the same point, 

 spreading out like the fingers of the hand when 

 widely opened. Again, the forkings will follow each 

 other, in rapid succession, and again, only at long 

 intervals. Usually several, and often quite a bundle 

 of fronds, spring from the same discoid hold-fast 

 upon the rock. The color is dark brown or purple. 

 It shrinks much in drying, and adheres closely to 

 paper. When in fruit, it makes interesting micro- 

 scopical specimens. It is common from Long Island 

 Sound northward. I have found it as plentiful at 

 Newport, as at Marblehead. 



Gems—SCINAIA, Bivon. 



SCINAIA FURCELLATA, BlVON. 



The forked Scinaia is not a very common plant, 

 but is worth looking for wherever it is likely to be 

 found, viz. : in our warmer seas, south of Cape Cod, 

 especially at Newport, Gay Head, and Katama, 

 Mass., and. in California, where it is said to be quite 

 common. I took several fine plants in Newport in 



