138 BRITISH MARINE ALGA. 
this is the case (and it always occurs with mature plants), I vefloat the 
specimen in sea water and mount it afresh on another sheet of paper, 
when, if it fail to adhere firmly, I have recourse to the milk jug, as 
already described. 
The curious plant which is represented by a magnified branch at 
Tig. 126 is called Spherococcus coronopifolius, a name which, though 
highly characteristic, makes me regret that this, like multitudes of other 
red seaweeds, has no common name. My non-classical readers must be 
‘content with the information that the names of this species signify, 
** spherical fruit crowning the foliage or branchlets.’? The coccidia, or 
spore-bearing tubercles, are produced just below the tips of the ramuli; the 
apices being continued beyond the fruit-vessel in the form of a short mucro 
or spine. This species is rare in Scotland, but is cast ashore on the South 
of England and Ireland, some seasons rather plentifully. Several years 
ago I took large and beautifully fruited specimens at Ventnor, thrown 
ashore for several days in succession; and in 1873 fine specimens, also 
in fruit, were sent to me from Cornwall, by H. Goode, Esq., an 
enthusiastic and successful collector. The colour of this plant is a fine 
scarlet, but the substance is so crisp and horny, that a considerable amount 
of pruning of its rigid branches is necessary before the plant can be 
mounted effectively on paper. Even then it adheres but imperfectly, and 
recourse must be had to the plan I have more than once recommended in 
these pages, that of refloating and immersing the specimen in skimmed 
milk. 
The genus Gracilaria, from the Latin gracilis, in allusion to the slender 
branches of the typical species, contains a variety of widely. dispersed 
plants, some of which are employed in the manufacture of glues and 
varnishes. One of our rare species, G. compressa, having a soft brittle 
frond, makes a capital preserve, as well as pickle. The late Mrs. Griffiths, 
of Torquay, presuming this species to be identical with an Indian alga 
known as ‘‘ Ceylon moss,’’ made an experiment with the British plant, and 
found it to answer equally well as a pickle and a preserve. G. compressa is 
a deep-water species, but is thrown ashore on various parts of the 
Devonshire coast. The fronds are tufted, and arise from a disc-like root. 
The branches are long, and are set alternately along the stem, whichis ~ 
cylindrical, but somewhat flattened at the sides, the branches being similarly 
constructed, but tapered at the base and the tips. Tubercles of large size 
are produced plentifully on the sides of the branches. Tetraspores, which 
are very minute, are concealed in the branchlets. The colour is a dull 
pink; the plant is annual, and is in perfection from July to the end 
of August. Fig. 127 represents the common species, G. confervoides. This 
is a most variable plant; the *tronds are tufted, and are from din. to 20in. 
long. The branches are by no means numerous and are very irregularly | 
disposed; they are roundand string-like, and taper at both ends. Roundish 
tubercles are scattered on all sides of the branches. The colour is a dull 
red, which changes to a pale yellow on exposure to sunlight, and in decay 
