Plate XXX. 



Fig. 133. BONNEMAISONIA ASPARAGOIDES. 



Colour. Brilliant rosy red; rather darker from the west of Ireland. 

 Substance. Very soft and delicate. 



Character of Frond. Thread-like {filamentous), but rather compressed; delicately, 

 and very much branched. Stem undivided; set on each side with long, 

 alternate branches, which are either simple or re-branched. Stem and branches 

 fringed throughout with very slender, short, awl-shaped branchlets, regularly 

 alternate. The whole frond at one level (^distichous). 



Measurement. From 4 to 12 inches long. 



Fructification. Only one sort known. Clustered spores in ovate, shortly-stalked 

 capsules, which are always placed exactly opposite one of the fringing branchlets. 



Halitat. The milder stations on our coast. West of Scotland, Isle of Man, Devon- 

 shire, &c. Ireland generally. On rocks near low-water mark, and at a greater 

 depth. Not very uncommon. 



A variety of this most graceful plant is found at Wicklow and in Kingstown 

 Harbour. /3. teres. It is thoroughly thredidi- shaped {filiform) throughout, (cylin- 

 drical, -i.e. instead of compressed;) and the fringing branchlets are very long. 

 Bonnemaisonia evidently loves a genial climate, becoming more and more 

 luxuriant in proportion to the warmth of the sea it inhabits. The slender 

 fringing branchlets, regularly alternate, with a spore-copsule opposite each, when 

 in fruit; combined with the brilliant colour, distinguish this plant from every 

 other British species. And it is generally, if not always, in fruit when thrown 

 ashore, which happens sometimes, in great profusion, for a few weeks during 

 the summer. 



Fig. 134. POLYSIPHONIA BYSSOIDES. 



Colour. A fine clear red when young; browner when old, and after, exposure to the 

 air, or in drying. 



Substance. When young and luxuriant, soft; all but the stems, which are gristly; 

 when old, rigid. 



Character of Frond. Thread-like (^filamentous) \ tufted; very much branched. Stem 

 undivided; branched like a feather {^pinnate). Branches simple, slender, the 

 lowermost longest; gradually shorter upwards; several times re-branched; the 

 lesser divisions more or less densely clothed with tufts of once or twice forked, 

 spreading, cobweb-like branchlets, which give the frond a beautifully feathery 

 appearance. Joints visible throughout, though often difficult to observe from 

 the crowded branchlets. Stem and branches marked with three or four upright 

 lines (internal tubes). Branchlets single-tubed. 



Internal Tales. About eight. 



Measurement. From 4 to 12 inches long. 



Fructification. Only one kind observed. Clustered spores in ovate, stalked capsules; 



external; on the lesser branches. 

 Habitat. Our coasts generally. On stones and shells, and algie near low-water mark, 



and in deeper water. Common. 



A stunted sort of variety with the tufts of branchlets stiff", crowded, and 

 thorn-like (not unlike the magnified branch of the variety denudata of Dasya 

 coccinia, Fig. 135), and the whole plant a dull brown, can scarcely be recognized 

 when compared with luxurious feathery specimens of this plant. 



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