Fig. 179, RHODYMENIA LACINIATA. 
Colour. The finest crimson. 
Substance. Thickish ; soft ; elastic though membranaceous. 
Character of Frond. A flat ribless expansion ; rising from a short flat stem ; of more or less 
fan-shaped outline ; deeply slit and divided in a forked manner {dichotomously). 
Divisions {lacinice) wedge-shaped ; re-divided in the same way ; the tips obtuse ; often 
torn. When in fructification the margins curled or fringed with minute leafy frond- 
lets ; these occasionally found on the surface. 
Measurement. From 3 to 10 inches long. 
Fructification. Of two kinds. 1 . A mass of minute spores in globose capsules^ immersed in 
the fringing or surface leaflets. 2. Tetraspores forming cloudy spots on the surface ; 
or along the margins, which are then smooth and entire. 
Habitat. Our coasts generally. On rocks and stones, &c. in the sea ; rarely within tide-marks. 
Now Callophyllis laciniata. 
Fig. 180. RHODYMENIA PALMETTA. 
Colour. Rose-red ; darker when dry. 
Substance. Membranaceous, except the stems, which are elastic. 
Character of Frond. A flat, ribless, fan-shaped, but often repeatedly forked expansion, rising 
from a longish, first cylindrical, then compressed stem, which is either simple or 
divided ; widening gradually upwards. Tufted. Divisions Qacinm) narrow, with 
rounded spaces between, and very smooth, flat margins. Root, a broad disc, some- 
times accompanied by fibres. 
Measurement. Stems from J inch to 2 inches long. Fronds 1 or 2 inches across. 
Fructification. Of two kinds. 1. A mass of minute spores in globose prominent capsules j 
seated on the edges of the margins, or scattered ; generally towards the tips of 
the lacinice. 2. Tetraspores forming deep red groups (son) in the expanded tips. 
Habitat. Our shores generally, but inclining southwards. On rocks, &c. near the verge of . 
low-water mark, and lower. Not uncommon. 
Varying greatly in general appearance ; but usually tolerably fan-shaped. Sometimes with 
only a short stem , sometimes with almost none ; or sometimes merely forked into two narrow 
leaves. (See figure.) Its pink-colour, crisp, yet delicate substance, and fructification, must 
be looked to as guides. 
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