103 PLANTS FOE THE 



of a chestnut-tree leaf, haying also a mid-rib ; and, indeed, 

 resembles, when east upon the shore, an autumn-tinted 

 leaf from some tree. It seems to do well if the water 

 in the tank has been in use under the influence, of the 

 green algte for some time, but cannot be introduced be- 

 fore, or it will be sure to die, turning first orange and 

 then white. 



The beautiful PtUota degans I have not yet been able 

 to make succeed ; but do not despair of eventually doing 

 so. It would be a very ornamental plant for a tank, 

 with its long, deep-red, feathery branches waving in the 

 sun. 



Chondrus crispus, the carrageen or Irish-moss of commerce, 

 is said to grow well in confinement, and may, therefore, 

 with safety be introduced. It is of a purplish-red color 

 when living, but becomes yellowish-grey when dried. It 

 is sold for. the purpose of making a gelatinous broth and 

 which forms a light, easily-digested food for invalids. 



The brilliant little Padlna pavonia, although an uncom- 

 mon plant, is sometimes found when searching for other 

 alga? ; and may be introduced into our collection, if not 

 as an aerator, at least on account of its beauty. It 

 resembles somewhat the expanded tail of the peacock. 

 Doctor Harvey says : " When growing under water, this 

 resemblance is peculiarly striking, the fringes of capillary 

 fibres which adorn it decomposing the rays of light and 

 giving rainbow-colors to the surface." It grows in shal- 

 low pools at half-tide level and on rocks where it is not 

 exposed to the roughness of the waves. There arc many 

 more algae found on our coast, a few of which may be 



