Vesiculifera capillaris Linnæus? Hassall, in Annals of
Nat. Hist., vol. X. ¡x 389. V. princeps Hassall, in
loc. cit. Prolifera composita Vaucher, Hist, des Conf.,
p. 133. pi. 14. fig. 5.
Huh. Ponds near Netting Hill; Cheshunt, and its
vicinity : A. II. II.
Whether the Vesiculifera, which is here regarded as the
Cotferva capillaris of Linnæus, be that species or not, there
can be no question but that it is the same plant as that considered
as such by Agardh, as I have been able to ascertain
hy the examination of an authentic specimen of Agardh’s
C. capillaris var. B . alternata, contained in the Herbarium
of Dr. Greville. None of tliose who liave noticed this
species Avere at all acquainted, hoAvevcr, Avith the true reproduction.
3 . V e s ic u l i f e r a c o n d e n s a t a Hass.
Char. Filaments o f more considerable diameter than those
o f V. capillaris. Cells not so long as broad.
Vesiculifera condensata Hassall, in Annals of Nat. Hist.,
vol. X. p. 3 8 8 .
Not having again met with this species since it was described
in the Annals, and never having seen it in a state of
reproduction, I am led to think that possibly it may be but
a variety of C. capillaris ; than Avhich, however, the filaments
are thicker, and the cells much shorter. It was found adherent
to a wall reached by the tide in the Thames near
Barnes.
4 . V e s ic u l i f e r a c r a s sa Hass.
Plate LI. Fig. 1.
Char. Filaments/wZ/y equal in diameter to those o f V. capillaris.
Cells usually fiv e times as long as hroad. Sporangia
oval, generally solitary, but sometimes binary, contained
in cells o f a slightly oval form, the length o f ivhich
about twice exceeds the diameter.
i
Vesiculifera crassa Hassall, in Annals of Nat. Hist., vol. x.
p. 3 8 9 .
Hab. In a pond at Wood Green, near Bury Green, vicinity
of Cheshunt ; A. H. H.
The only species near to which this approaches is V.
Landshoroughi; than which the filaments arc much thicker
and the infiatcd cells shorter and less marked.
Having met with it noAv several times, I have not a doubt
of its being distinct from V. Landshoroughi.
5. V e s ic u l i f e r a L a n d s b o r o u g h i Hass.
Plate LI. Pig. 2.
Char. Filaments o f considerable diameter, hut scarcely so
large as those o f the preceding species. Cells at the period
o f fructification, about fiv e or six times as long as hroad.
Sporangia oval, contained in inflated cells o f an elongated
but not regularly oval form, these occurring usually singly
at intervals o f three or fo u r cells, but sometimes two are
juxta-posed.
Vesiculifera Landsboroughi Hassall, in Annals of N at. Hist.,
vol. X. p. 3 8 9 . Proliféra rivularis M. Leon le Clerc,
Mém. du Mus. t. 25.
Ilab. Vicinity of Cheshunt, very rare : A . H. H. In an
old coal-pit near Stevenston, Ayrshire : Rev. D. Landshorough.
Penzance : Mr. Ralfs.
I have much pleasux’e in dedicating this, one of the finest
species of the genus, to the Rev. David Landshorough, by
whom the merit of its discovery is shared equally with myself,
as an expression of my warm admiration of the zeal displayed
by that gentleman in the cause of natural science.
I have m e t Avith th is species b u t sparingly myself, b u t have'
received excellent specimens of it in a state of reproduction
from Mr. Landshorough, Avho ap tly compares th e form of
th e seed-bearing ceUs to th a t of th e “ soldering of lead
pipes.”
o 3