Plate XXXVI. 
Fig. 163. MELOBESIA MEMBEANACEA. 
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 to of an inch in diameter ; patches J an inch or more in extent. 
Fructification. Only one kind known. Clustered strings of spores in round, hut 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 Zostera marina (the sea-ribbon), Phyllophora 
rubens, Chondrus crispus, &c. Common. 
The microscope shows the surface of this plant to be beautifully tesselated (something 
like that of Hapalidium phyllactidiimi, which, as before stated, is now suspected to be only a 
very young state of one of the Melobesia family). More or less all the Melobesias have the 
same appearance. 
Fig. 164. MELOBESIA FARINOSA. 
Colour. Very pallid mawve; 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 M. membranacea, only larger and thicker, and of more uncertain 
outline ; forming irregular patches on the plant on which it grows. 
Measurement. From J to an inch across. 
Fructification. Only one kind known. Clustered strings 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 algge. 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 Phyllophora rubens. 
“ Looks like a still more advanced stage of M. membranacea." (Harvey.) 
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