NEW OR CRITICAL BRITISH ALOiE. 
27 
the protoplasm. The chromatophores exhibit an irregularity of 
shape, being roundish, but angular, some of them with sharp 
angles, and of varying size ; moreover, some of them are pro- 
vided with pyrenoids, and these are of regular occurrence among 
the others which have no pyrenoids.'’ He considers these differ- 
ences in combination with the non-development of rhizoids, and 
the cell-membrane so little stratified as to exhibit no exfoliation 
completely justify the separation of Halicystis and Valonia. Dr. 
Schmitz, however, admits another species into the genus Halicystis. 
This new species, H. parvula , is smaller than H. ovalis , with a 
shorter and more blunt stalk, a more uneven surface, but differs 
from ZZ. ovalis mainly in having larger chromatophores of a long 
spindle shape, and, judging from the figure, rather angular outline, 
“ provided in the centre with a single clear pyrenoid.” From the 
last sentence it would appear that Dr. Schmitz places no reliance on 
the presence or absence of pyrenoids in the chromatophores as a 
generic character separating Valonia and Halicystis. On the 
whole we think Mr. Murray is wise in preferring “ the more 
cautious attitude of awaiting the story of the reproduction ” of 
Halicystis before committing himself to full agreement with Dr. 
Schmitz’s views as to its distinctness from Valonia . To us the real 
interest of the paper is to be found in the fact that Mr. Murray 
has found on Valonia ventricosa , J. A g., what appear to be repro- 
ductive cells. These bodies, Mr. Murray says, have plainly arisen 
by free cell formation within the great mother-cell. They are of 
various sizes, and, while generally round, odd forms are to be met 
with, dumb-bell shaped in varying degree, and others suggesting a 
process of sprouting in yeast fashion.” Attempts to cultivate 
them proved unsuccessful. The part also contains an interesting 
paper on the structure of Hydroclathrus, Bory, by Miss Mitchell, 
and one on the cryptostomata of Adenscystis, Alaria , and 
Saccorhiza by Mr. Murray, and finally a comparison of the marine 
floras of the warm Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and the Cape of Good 
Hope, by the same author. As we have already said, the papers in 
the present part are interesting and useful, and want of space 
alone has prevented us from dealing with them more fully, while 
the plates, paper, and printing are all that can be desired. We 
heartily trust that this work will meet with the encouragement 
which it deserves. 
A Provisional List of the Marine Algce of the Cape of Good Hope. 
By Ethel S. Barton (“Journal of Botany,” February- 
July, 1893). 
Miss Barton has performed a useful and much-needed work in 
preparing a list of the marine algas of the Cape of Good Hope. 
The only other list dealing exclusively with the marine algas of 
that region known to us is the already antiquated “ Phycea 
Capenses” of Areschoug, published in 1851, and which is of 
course very incomplete, as much work has been done since then. 
