222 SEAWEEDS 
The Geographical Distribution of the order is 
throughout all seas. The British genera have already 
been indicated, and the others, too numerous to 
particularise here as regards distribution, are some of 
them local, but most with a fairly wide range. The 
British forms have mostly a wide distribution else- 
where in the ocean. 
RHODYMENIACE. 
General Characters—More Rhodophycece probably 
conform to this type than to any other, and it is sub- 
divided into a number of important families. The 
carpogonial branches and the parent cells of the 
auxiliary cells are developed in close proximity and 
form definite procarpia. After fertilisation has been 
effected the auxiliary cell is developed, and with it 
the fertilised carpogonium enters into conjugation 
by means of a very short ooblastema filament, the 
auxiliary cell sometimes sending forth a_ short 
process to meet it. Usually, and this is true of most 
Ehodophycece, the carpogonial branch is so curved 
that the carpogonium is brought into close vicinity 
with the auxiliary cell, and the ooblastema filament 
is therefore either very short or may be suppressed 
owing to the actual contact of these bodies. The 
auxiliary cell after this conjugation sends out the 
gonimoblasts towards the outside of the thallus, and 
the following families are established mainly on 
variations in this process, and its results in the form 
of cystocarpic fruits. 
