Fig. 97. MYRIOTRICHIA CLAV^FORMIS. 
Colour, Yellowish-brown. 
Substance. Very soft ; limp ; slightly gelatinous. 
Character of Frond. 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 trans- 
parent case {perispore) which encloses them, visible all round. 
Habitat. 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. 
Habitat. Our coasts generally. Parasitic on Chorda lomentaria, and Asperococus echinatus ; at 
half-tide level. Abundant at Filey. Not uncommon. 
This plant is sometimes found accompanying M. clavaformis ; but is very much more 
frequently met with. 
44 
