Plate LIV. 



Fig. 246. GRIFFITHSIA SECUNDIFLORA. 



Colour. A fine rich crimson. 

 Substance. Gelatinous, but firm. 



Character of Frond. Tufts of distinctly jointed threads [ filaments). Fila- 

 ments robust (decidedly thicker than a hog's bristle !), very nearly the 

 same thickness throughout; each stem simple at first, irregularly 

 forked upwards; the last divisions often close; spreading wedgewise 

 (see magnified bit), forming a circular outline. Angles of branching 

 [axils) very narrow. Branchlets very upright. Tips very blunt. 



Measurement. From 4 to 8 inches long. 



Fructification. Has not yet been seen in Britain. 



Habitat. Plymouth. On rocks at extreme low-water mark. Very rare. 



The robust stems, strongly marked joints (quite obvious to the naked eye, 

 especially when dried), very narrow axils, upright branching, and remarkably 

 blunt tips, distinguish this from every other Grifflthsia. 



Fig. 247. GRIFFITHSIA SIMPLICIFILUM. 



Colour. A fine pinky-red. 



Substance. Soft and spongy, but firm. 



Character of Frond. Thickish, cylindrical stems and branches, once or 

 twice re-branched in a loose, irregular manner; surrounded and 

 densely clothed by rings [ivhorls) of tiny, straight, overlapping, 

 jointed hranchleteens [ramelU), once forked near the base (see mag- 

 nified bit) . Branches and branchlets tapering greatly to the tips ; 

 the latter often bare of branchletee?^s below, but generally clothed 

 with them near the top. 



Measurement. From 4 to 8 inches long. 



Fructification. Not observed; but no doubt like that of G. equisetifolium. 



Habitat. Coasts of Norfolk and Wicklow. On rocks, &c. near low-water 

 mark, and at a greater depth. Yery rare. 



ISTow Halurus simplicifilmn. Probably only a slender, drawn-out variety of 

 G. equisetifolia. The points of differentiation are, that it is less rebranched; 

 that the branchletee7^s are straighter and only once forked; and that the 

 whole plant is more slender, and perhaps of a brighter colour. But interme- 

 diate specimens are constantly found. For other Griffithsias see Plate LV. 

 33 * p 



