202 SEA MOSSES. 



ing, at the point, where several branches put out 

 near together. The fruit is produced on the long 

 branchlets in hemispherical, wart-like protuberances, 

 as large as grape seeds. 



The normal color is a dark red, which fades on 

 exposure to the air, and so the plant may come to 

 have almost any tint, according as it has been for a 

 longer or shorter time tossed about by the waves, 

 exposed on the shore, or treated to fresh water in 

 mounting. It grows upon rocks and stones, several 

 feet below low-water mark. It is so common every- 

 where south of Cape Cod, that special localities need 

 not be named. I have found it everywhere in those 



waters. 



Rhabdonia Coulteri, Harv. 



This species seems to be as common on the California 

 coast as R. tenera is on the Atlantic shores. It differs 

 from that if I may judge by a somewhat limited suite 

 of specimens, and from Harvey's description and 

 figure, by having a more pronounced leading stem, 

 not branched near the base, and by having all the 

 branches much shorter in proportion to the length 

 of the plant, and crowded together towards the top 

 of the frond. 



It grows at low-tide, and below, on rocks, and is 

 found thrown up upon the beach, somewhat rarely, 



