Plate XIV. 



Fig. 55. MESOGLOIA VERMICULARIS. 



Colour. Brownish olive. 



Substance. Soft; thick; gelatinous; slipping from the hand. 



Character of Frond. Cylindrical; unequally distended; branched. Branches 

 long, worm-like, clumsy, attenuated at each end; irregularly set on a 

 stem which is occasionally forked. Branchlets long, wavy; like the 

 branches. 



Measurement. From 1 to 2 feet long. 



Fructification. Minute seeds [spores) concealed in the substance of the frond. 



Habitat. Our shores generally. On rocks and stones between tide-marks. 

 Pretty common. 



The shppery, worm-hke feel of the Mesogloias renders the family easy of 

 recognition; and M. vermicularls is much darker-coloured, thicker, and more 

 clumsily formed than the others. 



Fig. 56. MESOGLOIA GRIFFITHSIANA. 



Colour. Rather pale olive-green, becoming greener in fresh water. 



Substaiice. Soft; gelatinous; slimy; slipping from the hand. 



Character of Frond. Cylindrical, slender, equal throughout; branched. 

 Branches long, nearly simple, on each side a stem; mostly alternate; 

 a few branclijets here and there. Surface covered with colourless^ 

 cobweb -like hairs which only show under water. 



Measurement. From 8 to 16 inches long. About the thickness of a crow's 

 quill. 



Fructification. Minute seeds [spores) concealed in the substance of the frond. 



Habitat. South of England. West of Ireland. In rock-pools between tide- 

 marks. Rare. 



Yery like Ghordaria JlagGlUformis in general growth, but differing in structure. 

 27 



