Plate XXXVII. 
Fig. 169. DELESSERTA SANGUINEA. 
Colour. Blood-red so soon after exposure that it is generally picked np that colour ; but when 
perfectly fresh a clear transparent moroon. Becoming brilliant after an hour or two’s 
pressure, and retaining its fine cactus-hue in the herbarium, quite unchanged by years. 
The plate represents a plant which, having been picked up red, has faded, under 
pressure, to pink. 
Substance. Delicately membranaceous all but the stem and midribs, which are firmly elastic. 
Character of Frond. Stem and branches bearing strongly midribbed, distinctly veined leaves. 
Stem thick, solid, cylindrical ; simple or slightly branched ; darker than the leaves. 
Leaves oblong, more or less pointed ; sometimes obtuse ; their margins curled, but 
quite whole {entire). Midribs and side-veins prominent ; the former occasionally 
furnished with leaflets. (See figure.) Fruiting in winter. Boot a disc. 
Measurement. Leaves from 2 to 8 inches long ; from 1 to 6 wide. Frond varying from a few 
inches to a foot in height. 
Fructification. Of two kinds ; external. 1. A mass of spores in globose, stalked capsules ; borne 
in winter on the skeleton midribs of the summer’s leaves from which the membrane 
' has died away ; and which thus become the stems of the next year’s plant. 2. 
Tetraspores in small, special, stalked leaflets, fringing the skeleton midribs. 
Habitat. Our coasts generally. On rocks. Laminaria stems, and in pools, at or near low- 
water mark, and deeper. Common. 
This charming plant, of whose beauty the eye never wearies, is happily not rare. It 
should he looked for in the early summer, before it is torn or disfigured by zoophytes. 
The cruel necessities of science have caused it to change its name, and by no means 
for the better. The old friend must be introduced to its admirers now. as “ Wokmskioldia 
sangidnea.^’ 
Fig. 170. DELESSERTA SINUOSA. 
Colour. A deep fine red ; purplish when dry. Much duller at all times than the preceding. 
Substance. Delicately membranaceous, all but the stems and midribs, which are elastic and 
firm, though slender. 
Character of Frond, Stem and branches, bearing distinctly midribbed and veined leaves. 
Stem slender, cylindrical, once or twice branched. Leaves oblong at first ; spreading 
irregularly afterwards ; deeply and variously cut in {pinnatifid) ; often like an oak- 
leaf ; sometimes more regularly, as in the figure. (See figure.) Margins toothed 
or jagged. Midribs occasionally producing leaflets, as in D. sanguinea. 
Measurement. From a few inches to a foot high. Leaves of every variety of size. 
Fructification. Of two kinds. 1. A mass of spores in globose capsules., imbedded in the midribs 
of the leaves. 2. Tetraspores in minute leaflets fringing the margins and midribs. 
Habitat. Our coasts generally, but preferring the north. On the stems of Lam. digitata, and 
on various substances in deep water. Not uncommon. 
A more variable plant in general appearance than the preceding. When old, and a set of 
skeleton branches with a few stunted leaves upon them, it can hardly be recognised. A 
broad -leaved specimen is a A'ery beautiful object. 
