278 BRITISH SEA-WEEDS. 



This species was formerly considered to be nearly 

 allied, to Chcetomorpha area; but it always differed from 

 that plant in external appearance, and is now found to 

 possess distinct generic characters. It grows on floating 

 wood, etc., in the sea, and is rare. 



Hormotrichum bangioides. The Bangia-like 

 Hormotrichum. 



Threads from three to six inches long, very slender, 

 smooth, soft, waved, attached at the base, growing in dense 

 tufts, each thread of the same diameter throughout, but the 

 threads of the same tuft varyiDg much in size; cells about 

 twice the length of their diameter, slightly constricted at 

 the joints, each containing in its centre, surrounded by a 

 broad transparent border, a dark-green mass of endochrome, 

 that eventually becomes an oblong sporidium. 



This species appears to be peculiar to Great Britain, 

 and is not common even there. It grows on rocks near 

 low-water mark, and the recorded habitats are on the 

 south coast or in Ireland. In young specimens the en- 

 dochrome nearly fills the cells ; but the usual process of 

 condensation takes place as the plant is developed, and 

 eventually only a dark-green oblong spot is to be seen 

 in the centre of each cell. 



Hormotrichum Cutleriae. Miss Cutler's Hormo- 

 trichum. 



Threads delicately fine, curved, silky, growing in flowing 

 tufts attached to pebbles, etc. ; cells about the length of 

 their diameter; those of young specimens filled with pale 

 green, fluid endochrome, which is gradually condensed into 

 a dark-green, globular sporidium that is eventually set free 

 by the bursting of the mature cell. 



