Fig. 321. CONFERVA ARENOSA. 



Colour. Pale green. 



Substance. Rigid and harsh for such very slender threads. 



Character of Frond. Very slender, interwoven jointed threads {filaments), spreading 

 in long, thin, fleecy webs, several of which lie, one on the top of another, 

 like folds of gauze, and can be easily separated. Filaments finer than human 

 hair, when young; when old, exceedingly rough, and apt to be swollen and 

 lumpy (tubercular) here and there. 



Joints. From three to five times longer than broad; filled with green colouring 

 matter (endochrome) , which, when old, contracts into a variety of odd shapes. 



Measurement. The fleecy webs a yard or more in extent. Filaments 5 or 6 inches 

 long. 



Fructification. As before. 



Habitat. ApjDin. Bantry Bay. On the flat sandy shore, about half-tide level. 



Fig. 322. CONFERVA LITTOREA. 



Colour. Dull green. 

 Substance. Rigid and brittle. 



Character of Frond. Coarse, loosely-interwoven, jointed threads {filaments') forming 

 extensive bundles in salt-water ditches and on muddy sea-shores. Filaments 

 as thick as hogs' bristles; variously curved; unbranched. 



Joints. Once and a half as long as broad ; here and there swollen in pairs and dis- 

 coloured (see Figure) ; filled with dense green colouring matter {endo chrome); 

 the minute grains {granules) which compose it visible under a moderate 

 magnifying power. 



3Ieasurement. Indefinite. 



Fructification. As before. 



Habitat. Salt-water ditches, estuaries, and muddy sea-shores; between tide-marks. 

 Not uncommon. 



Fig. 323. CONFERVA LINUM. 



Colour. Light or deep glossy green, according to age. When very old, very dingy 

 and dull. 



Substance. Very rigid and brittle when fresh; soon becoming flabby in the air. 



Character of Frond. Long, very corrse, loosely-entangled jointed threads ( filaments) 

 spreading in fleecy masses in salt-water ditches. Filaments twice as thick as 

 as hogs' bristles (!); very harsh; very much curled; unbranched. 



Joints. As long as broad; or narrower; filled with green colouring matter {endochrome), 

 which olten takes a rounded form (see figure of a magnified bit). 



Measurement. Filaments many feet long. The fleecy mass spreading indefinitely. 



Fructification. As before. 



Habitat. Salt-water ditches near the coast. Very abundant in those by the north 

 wall, Dublin. 



Often called by Agardh's name, G. crassa. Dr. Harvey includes several 

 supposed separate species under the name G. linum. For other Gonfervas, 

 see Plate LXX. 



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