C2 com:\io:n t seaweeds. 



of numerous large pear-shaped spores, arranged in 

 globose tufts, and surrounded by a dense mass of 

 ramuli. 



The frond is from four to eight inches long : a 

 main stem sends forth long branches throughout its 

 length ; which again are repeatedly branched with 

 filaments in whorls. It dries well on paper. 



LATTEEXCIA. 



(Xame in honour of M. de ia Latkiexcia, a French naturalist.) 



In these mid-tide pools we find several of the Lau- 

 rencia tribe. They are dark purple or greenish-yellow 

 seaweeds from two to twelve niches high, quite unlike 

 any we have hitherto mentioned. They usually have 

 round hollow stems about as thick as twine, branched, 

 and bearing two kinds of fruit: ceramic! ia or a capsule 

 containing spores; tetraspores irregularly scattered in 

 the substance of the ramuli. 



Laebentia Pinkatipida. — A very common species 

 in every pool from extreme high water to beyond the 

 limit of low water, and varying in colour and size 

 accordingly ; for we find stunted, blunt-leaved speci- 

 mens pushing from a dry rock like the black lichen 

 {Lickina PygmcBa), and then growing more freely. Of 

 an olive green, but attaining to perfection in a deep 

 tide-pool, anywhere within tide mark, until it branches 

 out in fine purple tufts twelve inches long. 



"We recognize this by the flattish frond, with main 



