its prime. When properly developed, as on flat, muddy shores, 
the velvety stratum frequently carpets the mud, with its in- 
tense green coating, over a very large extent of surface. The 
filaments of which the mass consists are inextricably and most 
closely woven together. 
To the naked eye V. velutina bears a close resemblance to the 
fresh-water V. cespitosa, but is less cushioned, and the upright 
branches forming the pile are shorter. | 
I take this opportunity of soliciting freshly gathered and 
fertile specimens of V. marina and V. submarina, for the purpose 
of figurmg—or the loan and liberty to use drawings of these 
species made from the living specimen. Dried specimens of 
these plants are of little value. 
Fig. 1. Patch of VaUcHERIA VELUTINA :—the natural size. 2. Filiform fronds 
of which the mass is composed :—magnified. 3. Small portions of the 
same, with fructification :—highly magnified. 
