162 BRITISH SEA-WEEDS. 



rudely dealt with by modern science. It was formerly 

 classed among the GloiocladecE on account of its gelati- 

 nous frond ; but this character is now considered to be of 

 less importance than the arrangement of the spores, and 

 hence the altered position of the genus. 



Naccaria Wiggii. Wigg's Naccaria. 



Erond cylindrical, from a few inches to nearly a foot 

 high ; branches alternate or irregular ; branchlets short, 

 spindle-shaped. Spores oblong, naked, on threads which are 

 whorled round the branchlets ; tetraspores unknown. 



This plant is annual, and grows in deep water. It is 

 of a beautiful bright red colour, and somewhat gelati- 

 nous. The structure of the lesser divisions of the frond 

 is very interesting, and should be examined under the 

 microscope, which will reveal the whorls of delicate, 

 jointed fibres that compose the branchlets, and amid 

 which the spores nestle. It is, moreover, on these 

 minute details that the distinctive characters of the 

 genus chiefly depend. Specimens of this species are cast 

 up in many localities on our coast, but nowhere in great 

 abundance. I have found more in Jersey than any- 

 where else, and they were usually floating and in good 

 condition. 



Genus LXIX. ATRACTOPHORA. 



Erond nearly oppositely branched, composed of large and 

 small cells ; tubular axis broad, " closely barked with de- 

 current articulated iibres ;" branches pinnate. Spore-threads 

 whorled round the branchlets ; tetraspores unknown. — 

 Ateactophoea, from the Greek atractos i a spindle, and 

 phero, to carry. 



