222 SEA MOSSES. 



I have seen much larger plants than either of 

 these. The variety exasperata, grows two or three 

 feet long, and six to ten inches wide. But the heax-y, 

 thick, mostly simple, flat frond will serve to distinguish 

 this from either of the other species. My California 

 correspondents all report it very common from San 

 Diego to Santa Cruz, growing between tides, on rocks 

 the year around, or below tide, and in the sluice 

 ways. It is truly a noble plant, and with its livid red 

 color must be a striking feature, rising and falling in 

 the green waters. 



GiGARTINA SPINOSA,* KOTZ. 



This resembles the last species only in its thick, 

 leathery substance, and its roughened, spiney surface. 

 The protuberances are pointed, and not rounded at 

 the end, as in G. radula, and they often attain con- 

 siderable length. 



The form of the frond is extremely variable. Some- 

 times it rises from a cylindrical stem, flattens broadly, 

 and then divides, as the hand divides into fingers. 

 Again, it keeps its main frond entire, and simple, taper- 

 ing gradually and gracefully to base and apex, and 

 throws out from each edge a multitude of long, narrow 

 leaflets, pointed above and below. These are some- 



* Spinosa =z Thorny. 



