150 BRITISH MARINE ALG. 
that the slightly enlarged branch in our illustration, in addition to the 
magnified portion of the stem and branchlet beside it, will help students 
in the identification of this beautiful species, when they may fortunately 
meet with it. The delicate and extremely rare Rhodosperm, Naccaria 
Wiggii, was named in honour of Naccari, an Italian botanist, and speci- 
fically, in compliment to Mr. Wigg, of Norfolk, who discovered it. 
Fig. 187 represents a branch of this species, which is one of the rarest 
of our marine algz. It is a summer annual, and is found chiefly along 
the south coast of England. The fronds are from 4in. to 10in. long, and 
are excessively branched. The stem and branches are solid but flaccid, 
and the whole plant is so soft and gelatinous to the touch that it requires 
the most skilful management and patience to display its beautiful 
branching fronds effectually. It adheres closely to paper, but pressure 
must be applied very gradually, or the soft gelatinous fronds will stick 
to the calico, and tear off upon its removal. The stems and branches of 
this plant are abundantly set with very minute ramuli, which taper at each 
end; and in the centre of these the fructification is produced, which 
causes them to swell and become somewhat spindle-shaped. This is well 
seen in the representation of a magnified portion of a stem and branch at 
Fig. 1388. The granular appearance on the surface of the ramuli indicates 
the sporiferous nucleus within. The colour is a fine rose-red, which is 
destroyed by the slightest contact with fresh water. There is a variety 
of this species known as N. hypnoides, which is extremely rare. It differs 
from the typical form, chiefly in certain peculiarities of structure which 
are only appreciable under careful microscopical examination, a course - 
with which few of my readers are likely to trouble themselves. 
The brief description I have given of the Wrangeliacee concludes 
my account of the British seaweeds which are included in the first 
series or subdivision of Rhodesperms, called Desmiospermee. 
The second great series of red seaweeds contains the lesser organised 
families, and these are included under the title Gongylospermee, or plants 
whose sporiferous nuclei, or spore-bearing organs, contain numerous spores 
congregated without order in each nucleus, or seed receptacle. First in 
this series is placed the order Rhodymeniacee. The plants of this Order 
are characterised as purplish or blood-red seaweeds, with an inarticulate, 
membranaceous, or sometimes filiform frond. The root is generally disc- 
like, sometimes branched, and occasionally very much matted. The leafy 
expansions of the frond are seldom symmetrical, the sole exception being 
that of Maugeria (Delesseria) sanguinea, which is also the only species 
possessing a distinct midrib. The plants of this Order are widely dis- 
persed, representatives of most of our genera being found in various parts 
of the globe. Some of the plants of this group are among the best of our 
edible seaweeds. The well-known Rhodymenia palmata, called “‘ Dulse”’ 
in Scotland, and “ Dillisk” in Ireland, is collected on all parts of the 
coasts, including those of the northern English counties, and is even 
carried to the markets of country towns, where it is sold and eaten with 
