Plate XLII. 
Fig. 191. SPH^ROCOCCUS COEONOPIFOLIUS. 
Colour. A fine scarlet-red ; darker in the main stems» 
Substance. Gristly ; the stems very strong ; horny when dry. 
Character of Frond. Compressed ; narrow ; very mnch branched ; wide-spreading, forming a 
rounded outline. Main stems thickened in the centre ; repeatedly divided, with a 
mixture of forked {dichotomous) and alternate branching. Branches several times 
re-branched in the same irregular way ; the margins of the upper ones generally 
fringed with minute, short, stalk-like, horizontally-set frondlets, in some of which 
the capsular fruit is formed. Last branchlets much and closely divided ; spreading ; 
with acute tips. 
Measurement. From 6 to 12 inches long, or more. 
Fructification, Only one kind known. A mass of spores in globose capsules^ formed in the 
fringing frondlets ; the swelling turning the tips aside as in Wiodymenia ciliata. 
Habitat. Southern and western shores of Great Britain and Ireland. Niton Bay, Isle of 
Wight, abundant. Isle of Man. Isle of Bute. 
Fig. 192. GELIDIUM CARTILAGINEUM. 
Colour. A fine dark-purple ; becoming scarlet, orange, yellow, and finally greenish on 
exposure. 
Substance. Gristly and strong ; horny when dry. 
Character of Frond. Tufts of very long, narrow, even stems ; furnished with long, narrow, 
regularly alternate branches ; these re-branched with a second series ; these again 
with a third ; the series diminishing gradually in length ; all at one level, like the 
plumes of a feather {pinnate) ; each branch lanceolate in general outline. Root 
fibrous. 
Measurement. From 12 to 18 inches long. 
Fructification. Only one kind known. A mass of spores in oval capsules^ imbedded in the 
centre of the last branchlets, their tips protruding beyond. 
Habitat. Found on the shore at Freshwater Bay ; also at Ryde, but not a native plant. 
A native of the Cape of Good Hope, and probably only accidentally brought to our coasts. 
For another Gelidmm see Plate XLIV. Fig. 199. 
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