Plate XXXVI. 



Fig. 163. MELOBESIA MEMBRANACEA. 



Colour. Pale-lilac (mauve)-, becoming white. 



Substance. So thin as to be almost membranaceous, although limy; the colour of 



the sea- weed on which it grows, seen through. 

 Character of Frond. Minute, dot-like; parasitic; circular at first; several running 



together by degrees {confluent), forming irregular patches on the plant on 



which it grows. 



Measurement. From T2 ^^^^ diameter; patches J an inch or more 



in extent. 



Fructification. Only one kind known. Clustered strings of spores in round, but 

 somewhat depressed capsules, with a hole at the top; sessile on the frond; 

 usually one or two. 



Habitat. Our coasts generally. On the leaves of Zoster a marina (the sea-ribbon), 

 Flujllopliora rubens, Cliondrus crispus, &c. Common. 



The microscope shows the surface of this plant to be beauiifully tesselated 

 (something like that of Hapalidium iiliyllactldium, which, as before stated, is 

 now suspected to be only a very young state of one of the Melohesia family). 

 More or less all the Melohesias have the same appearance. 



Fig. 164. MELOBESIA FARINOSA. 



Colour. Very pallid mauve; becoming white. 



Substance. Thin, but thicker than M. membranacea, limy, the colour of the sea-weed 

 on which it grows, not seen through. 



Character of Frond. Very like Ji". membra?tacea, only larger and thicker, and of 

 more uncertain outline; forming irregular patches on the plant on which it 

 grows. 



Measurement. From ^ to an inch across. 



Fructification. Only one kind known. Clustered strinr/s of spores in round prominent 

 capsules, with a hole at the top; sessile on the frond; usually two or three. 



Habitat. Our coasts generally. On various algae. Common. 



Fig. 165. MELOBESIA VERRUCATA. 



Colour. Very pallid mauve; becoming white. 



Substance. Thin; limy; but thicker than either of the preceding. 



Character of Frond. An expanded crust; uncertain in outline; forming irregular 

 patches on the plant on which it grows. 



Measurement. Patches from \ to an inch or more in extent. 



Fructification. Only one kind known. Clustered strings of spores in innumerable small, 

 round, pimply capsules, with a hole at the top; seated (sessile) on the frond. 



Habitat. Our coasts generally; chiefly south and west. On Fhyllophora rubens. 



" Looks like a still more advanced stage of M. membranacea." (Harvey.) 



71 



