Fig. 97. MYRIOTRICHIA CLAV^FORMIS. 



Colour. Yellowisli-browii. 



Substance. Very soft; limp; slightly gelatinous. 



Character of Froiid. Small tufts of jointed threads [filaments) fringing other 

 algae. Each filament quite simple; naked below; upwards densely 

 clothed with branchlets_, which gradually increase in length as they 

 • approach the tips; thus giving the frond a club-shaped form. 

 Branchlets re-branched in a similar way; the second set bearing long 

 colourless fibres from their tips. 



Measurement. Half an inch long. 



Fructification. External seeds [spores) borne on the branchlets; egg-shaped; 

 dark; the transparent case [perispore) which encloses them^ visible 

 all round. 



Hahitat. Our coasts generally. Parasitic on Chorda lomentaria. Occasionally. 



Fig, 98. MYRIOTRICHIA FILIFORMIS. 



Colour. Yellowish-brown. 



Substance. Very soft; limp; slightly gelatinous. 



Character of Frond. Small tufts of jointed threads [filaments) fringing other 

 algse so naturally^ that the combination has the appearance of being 

 one plant. Filaments very slender; often curled; several twisted 

 together into rope-like tufts. Each stem quite simple; at intervals 

 looking as if thickened into dark knobs. Under the microscope these 

 prove to be clusters of minute^ stunted, oblong branchlets,, from which 

 issue the long colourless fibres characteristic of the genus. 



Measurement. An inch or more in length. 



Fructification. External seeds [spores) borne on the branchlets. Spores 

 egg-shaped, dark; the transparent case [perispore) which encloses 

 them, visible all round. 



Hahitat. Our coasts generally. Parasitic on Chorda lomentaria, and Aspero- 

 coccus echinatus; at half-tide level. Abundant at Filey. Not 

 uncommon. 



This plant is sometimes found accompanying M. clavcBformis ; but is very 

 much more frequently met with. 



