64 THE MARINE BOTANIST. 



small spots. Grows on stones and the larger algae 

 between tlie tidal levels, and in four to fifteen 

 fathom water in muddy bays. Annual. Summer. 

 Found all round the coast. 



ASPEROCOCCUS ECHINATUS.— ROUGH 

 ASPEROCOCCUS. 



Fronds many, growing from the same base, 

 varying from two inches to twenty feet in length ; 

 seldom more than half an inch in diameter, gradually 

 and very much attenuated at the base. Fructifica- 

 tion appears in rough minute crowded dots on the 

 surface; young fronds are clothed with long, pel- 

 lucid fibres. Colour olive-brown, greenish when 

 young. Substance soft; adheres firmly to paper. 

 The variety /3 vermicularis has very slender and 

 much-twisted fi'onds; it usually grows on other 

 small algae, whereas the wide variety occurs on 

 stones, &c., between tide-marks. Annual. Summer 

 and Autumn. Common on the British shores. 



