OR, GLIMPSES BENEATH THE WATERS. 



marine tanks of the Zoological Gardens, were at 

 first those of the Chlorospermatous order, but 

 others have since succeeded nearly as well. Plants 

 of JJlva and Conferva have done very well, but the 

 most successful growth has been that of a plant of 

 the genus Bryopsis, which, entirely enveloping a 

 large stone in its mossy and almost feather- 

 like foliage, produces a very beautiful appearance. 

 Those unlearned in scientific names will be glad, 

 perhaps, to learn that these beautiful Algce derive 

 their title from two Greek words, Bryon {ppvov) a 

 moss, and opsis (o'^^*?), a resemblance, from their like- 

 ness to some of the most delicate and feather-like 

 mosses of our woods. The delineation of Bryopsis 

 plumosa in Plate II., on the extreme left near the 

 lower part of the Plate, will convey some idea of 

 these elegant sea-weeds. 



CJiondrus crispus is a beautiful plant, and well 

 suited to the Aquarium. It will often be found 

 under ledges of rock, completely concealed by a 

 pendant veil of Fucm, commonly known as the 

 olive-weed; and, on lifting the tangled mass of 

 its rank growth, mauy beautiful and unexpected 

 plants are frequently found, but none strike the 

 explorer more than the Chondrus. Its nacreous 

 tints, like those of a pearl shell, varying wonder- 



41 



