CHONDRUS. 457 



the end the carpophore contains a mass of loose carpo- 

 spores embedded in a mass of exhausted sterile cells. The 

 mass of carpospores forms the cystocarp. 



The mature carpospore is not unlike the mature tetra- 

 spore. It is roundish, and at first unprovided with a 

 definite wall, which, however, it very soon acquires. Its 

 contents are very dense, a large amount of starchy food 

 being present. The general colour of the carpospore is 

 red. This is due to the presence of a rhodoplastid, which 

 occurs in a very much divided form. 



The whole mass of carpospores forms a fairly large 

 cystocarp, which causes a very marked bulging out of the 

 outer assimilating layers of the carpophore. In this way 

 the latter may be distinguished from a frond bearing 

 nemathecia. 



What the fate of the carpospores is, we do not know. 

 Presumably they soon germinate, and thus give rise to 

 new plants. 



Our knowledge concerning the development of the 

 sexual organs of the Khodophycese is still in a very 

 unsatisfactory condition. The botanist who wishes to 

 obtain any definite results in this connection must, how- 

 ever, live near the sea for a lengthy period, and have a 

 sufficient amount of time at his disposal to carry out 

 extensive and careful continuous observations. 



E. — Ecology. 



As a species Chondrus crispus is found to be fairly 

 widely distributed, being common on the shores of the 

 northern Atlantic Ocean. It forms one of the commonest 

 plants on the seashore in the L.M.B.C. district — in fact, 

 along the whole British coast, as long as the substratum 

 is hard rock and the water is clear. It is a species which 



