OSClLLATORIACEiE. 291 



Genus CXXIII. MICROCOLEUS. 



Frond composed of minute, rigid, straight, ringed threads, 

 enclosed many together in simple or branched, transparent 

 sheaths, which are either open or closed at the upper end. 

 — Microcoleus, from the Greek tnihros, small, and koleos, 

 a sheath. 



Microcoleus anguiformis. The snake-shaped 

 Microcoleus. 



Sheaths simple, decumbent, snake-like, broad and open at 

 the tip, tapering gradually to the base, interwoven and 

 twisted into irregular groups ; threads short, slender, 

 straight, striated at distant intervals. 



This minute plant grows in dark- green layers on mud 

 in brackish pools. 



Genus CXXIV. SCHIZOTHRIX. 



" Filaments involved in a thick lamellar sheath, rigid, 

 curled, thickened at the base, at length longitudinally 

 divided; spermatia lateral." (Kutzing.) — Schizothrix, from 

 the Greek schizo, to divide, and thrice, a hair. 



Schizothrix Cresswellii. The Rev. R. CresswelPs 

 Schizothrix. 



Threads exceedingly slender, once or twice forked, ap- 

 parently by the division of the original thread, massed 

 together in rope-like, branching bundles, which form 

 roundish or oval patches, about two inches in diameter, 

 and half an inch thick. 



This plant was discovered on sandstone rock, near 

 high-tide mark, under a drip of fresh water, at Sid- 

 mouth. It grows during winter, and is annual. 



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