THE MARINE BOTANIST. 85 



DICTYOTA. 



Name signifying a net ; from the reticulated structure of the 

 frond. 



Frond flat, membranaceous, reticulate, dichoto- 

 mous, or pinnatified. Fructification. Spores either 

 scattered over both surfaces of the frond, or on 

 distinct plants collected into dense spots. 



DICTYOTA DICHOTOMA.— CLEFT 

 DICTYOTA. 



Fronds regularly cleft, tapering gradually to the 

 end. Colour, a pale yellowish or olive green. 

 Substance membranaceous, adhering to paper, 

 which it often contracts in drying; this arises 

 from the shrinking of the fronds, and can scarcely 

 be avoided. When the paper is much drawn up, 

 a narrow slip may be cut out, the edges of the 

 paper drawn together and gummed. This will 

 make the specimen lay flat, and allow of its being 



