92 COMMON SEAWEEDS. 



Nytophylltth Punctatum. — This is found only 

 in deep pools at lowest ebb of the tide, but far more 

 frequently gathered amidst the cast-up weed on the 

 shore after a storm. 



Most delicately beautiful is this broad pink frond 

 dotted all over with spores. The size of this plant is 

 sometimes enormous. Mr. Moore, at Cushenall Bay, 

 in the west of Ireland, found specimens five feet long 

 by three feet wide, but our usual fronds rarely exceed 

 five or six inches long by four broad : even this makes 

 a splendid page, especially if well laid out on good 

 drawing paper. Then, indeed, it is, as its name im- 

 ports, a shining leaf of exquisite rose pink : dark hued 

 capsules and sori add to its beauty, and the edge is 

 often curiously plaited or goffred, requiring great care 

 in the fixing. In fresh water it crackles and fizzes 

 like Griffithsia Setacea. It seems to be common on 

 the Irish coast, and at Cornwall, Plymouth, and Chan- 

 nel Islands. I have splendid specimens from Alderney. 



JNTitophyllttm Hilled. — A variety first found by 

 the late Miss Hill at Plymouth. It is faintly veined at 

 the base, rising from a short stem, usually of a broad 

 fan-shaped figure slightly cleft or lobed. The veining 

 sometimes extends nearly over the frond, and the 

 substance is thickish but very tender, like " soft kid 

 leather," says Mrs. Griffiths. It may also be noticed 

 by its peculiar and disagreeable smell. The colour is 

 a fine deep crimson. 



Nitophylltjm Laceratum. — A famous specimen, 

 trailing up a page six to ten inches long : the ribbon- 



