Fig. 321. CONFEEVA ARENOSA. 
Colour. Pale green. 
Substance. Eigid and harsh for such very slender threads. 
Character of Frond. Very slender, interwoven jointed threads {filaments), spreading in long, 
thin, fleecy webs, several of which lie, one on the top of another, like folds of gauze, 
and can be easily separated. Filaments finer than human hair, when young ; when 
old, exceedingly rough, and apt to be swollen and lumpy {tubercular) here and there. 
Joints. From three to five times longer than broad ; filled with green colouring matter 
{endoclirome), which, when old, contracts into a variety of odd shapes. 
Measurement, The fleecy webs a yard or more in extent. Filaments 5 or 6 inches long. 
Fructification. As before. 
Habitat. Appin. Bantry Bay. On the flat sandy shore, about half-tide level. 
Fig. 322. CONFERVA LITTOEEA. 
Colour. Dull green. 
Substance. Eigid and brittle. 
Character of Frond. Coarse, loosely-interwoven, jointed threads {filaments) forming extensive 
bundles in salt-water ditches and on muddy sea-shores. Filaments as thick as hogs’ 
bristles ; variously curved ; unbranched. 
Joints. Once and a half as long as broad ; here and there swollen in pairs and discoloured 
(see Figure) ; filled with dense green colouring matter {endochrome) ; the minute 
grains {granules) which compose it visible under a moderate magnifying power. 
Measurement. Indefinite. 
Fructification. As before. 
Habitat. Salt-water ditches, estuaries, and muddy sea-shores ; between tide-marks. Not 
uncommon. 
Fig. 323. CONFERVA LINUM. 
Colour. Light or deep glossy green, according to age. When very old, very dingy and dull. 
Substance. Very rigid and brittle when fresh ; soon becoming flabby in the air. 
Character of Frond. Long, very coarse, loosely-entangled jointed threads {filaments) spreading 
in fleecy masses in salt-water ditches. Filaments twice as thick as hogs’ bristles (!) ; 
very harsh ; very much curled ; unbranched. 
Joints. As long as broad ; or narrower ; filled with green colouring matter {endochrome), 
which often takes a rounded form (see figure of a magnified bit). 
Measurement. Filaments many feet long. The fleecy mass spreading indefinitely. 
Fructification. As before. 
Habitat. Salt-water ditches near the coast. Very abundant in those by the north wall, 
Dublin. 
Often called by Agardh’s name, O. crassa. Dr. Harvey includes several supposed separate 
species under the name C. linum. For other Confervas, see Plate LXX. 
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