small fragment be examined, it will be seen, with surprise,
that it IS formed of an assemblage of principal filaments,
parallel, elongated, and which bear at their extremities subdivisions,
very short, composed of three or four branches. The
white grains are here seen in great quantity, which proceed
from ruptured rings, and are destined to reproduce the plant,
so that it is difficult to doubt the destination of these grains,
even when this has not been confirmed by direct proofs.
“ This Batrachosperm, without doubt, has not yet been
described, and it is necessary to observe, that it is difficult
to discern at first sight a Conferva in the gelatinous material
which forms it, but tha t which is obscure to the simple sight
becomes distinct to the microscope.”— Vaucher.
hlr. Harvey, in his description of this species, compares the
mode of branching of the frond to stags’ horns, a comparison
Avhich conveys a very good idea of the appearance of this
beautiful object.
3. ChíETOPHORA TUBERCULOSA Hooh.
Plate IX . Figs. 7, 8.
Char. “ Gelatinous matrix, at fir s t glabrous and firm , afterwards
much lohed, fragile, and hollow. Filaments verg
slender, flexuous, hyaline. Ramuli ctfoured, palmate, fa s ciculate.”
— Harvey.
Harvey, in Hooker’s Brit. Flor. Rivularia tuberculosa, E.
Bot. t. 2366. Ch. tuberculosa Harvey, in Manual, p. 122.
Hab. Diana Pond, Bushey P ark : A . H. H. Aberdeen :
Dr. Dickie. Neighbourhood of Manchester; Mr. Side-
botham. Barnett’s Wood, near Tunbridge W e lls: Mr.
Jenner.
“ On sticks and aquatic plants in boggy pools. Fronds
bright green, an inch or more in diameter.” — Harv.
I t is doubtful as to whether this is to be regarded as
any thing more than a variety of the following species, C.
elegans, the Batrachospermum intricatum of Vaucher, or that
species much developed; the softness and holloAvness of the
matrix both resulting from the extraordinary developement.
In English Botany the filaments arc figured without cilia.
Kfitzing also figures them in the same manner : if this
character be permanent, then is the species doubtless a
good one.
The following observations, taken from the “ Flora ” for
1842, p. 513., were inserted in the “ A n n a ls” for June,
1843 : —
“ The fruit of Choetophora appears hitherto to have been observed
only by Mr. Berkeley, who communicated specimens to Captain Carmichael,
who made a drawing from them ; which, with his other manuscripts,
is in the hands of Sir W. J. Hooker. Mr. Berkeley also published
a figure of it in his “ Gleanings of British Algæ.” Dr. Müller of
Detmold has been so fortunate as to meet with similar fruit in Chæ-
tophora tuberculosa, and has given figures of it in the place cited above.
He has made, moreover, a very curious observation, viz. that the fruit is
accompanied by, and at length connate with, a red globule of a similar form
but smaller size, which he considers as the male fructification. As the
female capsule advances to maturity, the male approaches it, becomes
elongated, and at length is united with it, emptying the pollen globules
into the female fruit. This process being accomplished, it falls off.
“ Whatever may be thought of this, his account of the developement
of the spores formed within the capsule, which are about five in number,
and disposed around an aperture occasioned probably hy the pressure of
the male capsule, is not less wonderful. From each of the seeds a hyaline
thread is developed, formed of thp globules which press forward from the
inside of the seed ; this at length becomes green, and consists of a Very
tender hyaline tube fill|d with a moniliform row of globules. Finally,
the uppermost globule is elongated into a new tube, which is of a paler
green than the rest of the thread. The capsule is now no longer visible,
and the whole resembles a Rivularia, which soon assumes the form of
Choetophora tuberculosa.
“ The above observations are at least curious, and, if there has been no
error, are of much importance. We recommend them to the consideration
of some of our practical algologists, hoping that they may be able
to throw some light upon the matter.”
4. CHÆTOPHORA E L E G A N S Ag.
Plate IX . Figs, 3, 4.
Char. Mucous matrix subglobose, or lobed, rather solid,
green. Filaments subdichotomous. fastigiate, the
apices produced beyond the gelatine and setigerous.
Batrachospermum intricatum Vauch. Hist, des Conf. d’Eau
douce, p. 117. pi. xii. figs. 2, 3. C. elegans Harvey,