176 BRITISH SEA-WEEDS. 



oblong, simple or once-forked, rose-coloured frond ; sorus 

 elliptical, composed of tetraspores." 



Phyllophora rubens. The red Phyllophora. 



Fronds densely tufted, expanding from a short, cylin- 

 drical stem, into very blunt, wedge-shaped segments, either 

 single or forked, varying from a quarter of an inch to half 

 an inch in width; a second series of similar segments 

 springs from the tips of the first, and this process is re- 

 peated as the plants advance in age ; all the segments are 

 minutely stalked, and have an indistinct midrib. Spores 

 minute, in spherical conceptacles, which are either scattered 

 over the surface of the frond, or arranged in a line within 

 the margin ; tetraspores unknown. 



This handsome species is common on most of our 

 shores, but is rarely seen in its full beauty, as it is 

 almost always covered with minute shells and Melo- 

 besice. These interfere with the process of drying, 

 which is already sufficiently difficult, owing to the rigid 

 nature of the plant. It grows in deep tide-pools, under 

 the shelter of the large Laminarice, and likewise on 

 rocks, etc., in water of a considerable depth. It is 

 perennial, and in perfection in winter. 



Phyllophora membranifolia. The membrane- 

 leaved Phyllophora. 



Fronds from three to twelve inches in height, growing in 

 tufts from an expanded root ; stem cylindrical, branched, ex- 

 panding into broadly wedge-shaped, forked laminae. Spores 

 in large, stalked conceptacles, which rise from the branches 

 or the laminae ; tetraspores in wart-like bodies, forming dark- 

 coloured convex patches in the centre of the laminae. 



