RHODOSPERME. 179 
Harvey observes, “resolvable into three distinct varieties.” The first 
of these, Dichotoma, is very well represented at a, Fig. 165. The fronds 
are from 4in. to Sin. long, with two or three principal divisions of variable 
width ; these are more or less forked with apparently laciniated or jagged 
segments, and here and there throughout the plant, numerous little 
branchlets and ramuli shoot forth, some from the margins, and others 
from the surface or other parts of the frond, giving to this singular 
species a strangely wild and irregular appearance. The second variety is 
termed Ramentacea; in this the frond is from 10in. to 15in. long, divided 
into three or more principal branches, tapered at the base, then swelling 
out into broad thick lobes, and generally attenuated towards the tips. The 
third variety is described as Latifolia, very well represented at b, Fig. 165. 
The plant from which this illustration was taken was gathered at Ply- 
mouth many years ago, and was entirely destitute of branchlets or ramuli. 
Fic. 166. Branch of Fwurcellaria fastigiata. 
The tip is forked, and a short distance below there is the apparent attempt 
to throw out a branch or a broad segment; otherwise this specimen is the 
nearest approach to a perfectly simple or unbranched frond of this 
species that I have ever met with. The length of this plant was 14in., 
that of the branched specimen beside it very little less. The fruit is 
contained in favellidia, or masses of spores, which are concealed beneath 
the periphery or external coat of the frond, and are attached to the inner 
surface of the outer stratum of cells. These curious plants are always 
found in fruit, the favellidia being easily distinguishable through the 
periphery, and appearing little dark red spots scattered all over the 
surface of the fronds. The colour is usually a rose pink, the plant is a 
Summer annual, and is found most frequently on the southern shores of 
England and Ireland, and in the Channel Islands. 
