Plate XXII. 
Fig. 95. ECTOCAEPUS GRANULOSUS. 
Colour. Green in youth ; afterwards olive-green or yellowish. 
Substance. Moderately firm ; soft. 
Character of Frond. Feathery tufts of jointed threads {filaments). Filaments much branched. 
Branches on each side stems ; sometimes opposite, sometimes alternate ; extreme 
branchlets often set, four or five in succession on one side {secund). Mai.'* divisions 
slightly entangled ; lesser ones quite free and feathery. 
Measurement. From 1 inch to a foot long. (Dependent on the depth of water.) 
Fructification. External seeds {spores) borne on the branchlets. Spores large ; oval • darlv- 
brown ; marked with lines across {transversely striate ) ; minutely cross luirrod ; 
unstalked {sessile) ; abundant. 
Habitat. Our shores generally. On rocks or algse between tide-marks. Frequent. 
The figure of this plant is not very characteristic. Its growth is looser and freer ^ mi a tne 
representation. There are several varieties of it, one of which is now raised to the dignity of 
a species, E. tesselaiiis. It is a small plant, growing in crevices of the rocks at half-tide level, 
and is exquisitely green when young. The tesselated appearance of the spores gave rise to 
the name. One of its characters is the secund growth of the extreme branchlets. Another 
variety, chiefly found on the south coast, is less richly branched, but all, or nearly all its branches 
and branchlets are opposite on each side the stems. Intermediate forms occur with opposite 
and alternate branching mixed. E. tesselatus was first noticed on rock-crevices on the top of 
Filey Bridge by Mr. Hayden ; but it has been found abundantly since. Whether it has a right 
to a position as a species is still doubtful, but it is at any rate a very lovely variety. 
Fig. 96. ECTOCAEPUS MERTENSII. 
Colour. A beautiful olive-green in the early part of the year, becoming browner in the sum- 
mer and autumn. 
Substance. Soft and delicate. 
Character of Frond. Tufts of jointed threads {filaments). Filaments branched in a regular 
and remarkable manner. Main stems simple, or nearly so ; set throughout with 
exactly opposite branches, of unequal length. Branches also simple ; set throughout 
(and closely) with slender, spreading branchlets J the diameter of the branch ; except 
where a pair of larger branchlets takes the place of a pair of the lesser ones. 
Secondary branchlets similarly re-branched ; the whole plant resembling a collection 
of delicate feathers. 
Measurement. From 2 inches to a foot in length. 
Fructification. Seeds {spores) imbedded in the branchlets, forming dark oblong swellings. 
(See figure.) 
Habitat. Our coasts here and there from Orkney to Cornwall, and in Ireland. On mud- 
covered rocks and stones, near low-water mark ; and at a greater depth. 
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