RHODOMELACE^l. 89 



Chondria dasyphylla. The thick-leaved Chondria. 



Frond robust, elongate, cylindrical, from six inches to a 

 foot long ; stem generally undivided, set with side branches 

 which are either simple or furnished with a second or third 

 series ; branchlets about half an inch long, club-shaped, 

 blunt, much constricted at the base. Spores in ovate, stalk- 

 less conceptacles ; tetraspores immersed in the branchlets. 



This is a very widely distributed species, and is found 

 on several parts of our coast. It grows on shells or 

 algse, in shallow, sandy pools between the tide-marks. 

 It is annual and in perfection in summer, when it should 

 be of a dark purple colour; but this is frequently 

 changed to a pale pink or even yellow by the action 01 

 the sun. 



Chondria dasyphylla, var. squarrosa. 



Tufts intricate, very dense. Fronds irregularly branched, 

 robust, of a crisp texture ; branches long, with a lanceo- 

 late outline ; branchlets short, densely tufted. The whole 

 plant of a dark brownish-purple colour. 



I have found large quantities of this form in Jersey 

 late in autumn. It is a very handsome plant, and very 

 distinct in external appearace from the normal state of 

 the species. 



Chondria tenuissima. The slender Chondria. 



Frond slender, irregularly divided, from a few inches to 

 a foot long; branches long, rod-like, clothed with very 

 slender, bristle-like, acute branchlets, which taper from the 

 middle towards either extremity. Spores in ovate, nearly 

 stalkless conceptacles, which are very numerous on the sides 

 of the branchlets; tetraspores globose, scattered. 



