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Variable in Very common, and -well known, tbe size, number, and
disposition of the fascicles.
plate LXXF. jig. 1. Portion of filament of Dmpm'naldia glomerata
X 400 diam. Fig. 2, portion of filament of the variety distans X 400
diam.
In 1857 Dr. Braxton Hicks first described in the “ Journal of the
Linnean Society” (Vol. i., p. 192) what he believed to be a new species of
Drapai'naldia under the name of Draparnaldia ci'UGiata, of which we
know nothing except from his description and figures, from which we
are disposed to regard it as a variety of Draparnaldia glomerata. I t
was first found in the New Forest, and was more folly illustrated in the
“ Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science ” (Vol. ix., 1869, p. 383,
pi. xix.). “ Nothing,” he says, “ is more remarkable than the direction
taken by the branches, -which diverge strictly at right angles to the
stem. Even the lesser kind, called tufts, and their branchlets, pass off
in this way, and as four generally spring from the same joint, there is
a cruciate arrangement in every part.”
The following is given as its description :—“ Frond 3-4 inches long.
Light green colour, not so green as D. glomerata and D. plwnosa,
possessing a flocciilent appearance when in water, and highly mucous
when out of water. Every portion is surrounded by a distinot layer of
transparent mucous, extending on each side to the distance of three
diameters of the included ramulus. This is most easily seen after two
days, when extraneous matter adheres to the mucous. The main filament
is composed of cells very slightly inflated, 3-4 times longer than wide,
about ^1-^th of an inch wide, delicately fasciated. Primary ramuli proceeding
at right angles, chiefly in whorls of four, from the main
filament, with an interval of 50-60 cells. The sub-ramuli also proceed
in the same way from the primary ramuli, giving the plant a cruciate
appearance. The cells of the ramuli as wide as long, the larger fasciated,
the smaller quite filled with green chlorophyll. The interspace of 50-60
cells of main filament being great, to the naked eye it appears
nearly bare, but by higher magnifying powers small tufts, like
those terminating the sub-ramuli, appear at about every ten
cells; some larger, and approaching somewhat the sub-ramuli,
while the others are very simple. The larger terminal and lateral
tufts have a pyramidal form, and from all their divisions proceeding
at right angles it appears much like a fir tree. All
the ultimate tufts bear cilia, as in the other Draparnaldia^ taut of
extreme length and tenuity. From the 1-3 basal cells of the ramuli
often roots spring, coiling themselves round the main filament, and
even spreading away from it, and sometimes the free point becomes
converted into a tuft, like those on the main filament. The smaller
• tufts at times possess them. When the plant is mature the ramuli
disengage themselves, and can be seen floating about with their roots,
probably ready to attach themselves to any suitable object, aud so
become separate plants. Zoospores not so large as in D. gloineratay
being oval, and about '0004 X '0003 inch. A whole tu ft undergoes the
process simultaneously.”
“ I t can easily be distinguished from D. plumosa and D. glomerata
by the divisions diverging at right angles, and in whorls of chiefly
four (giving the cruciate appearance), the perceptible mucous sheath,
exceeding delicacy of the cilia, extreme tendency to give out radicles,
the nearly equal width of the main cells, as also their greater length.
The fir tree-like form of the tufts are so unlike the flexible shape of
the other species.”
A comparison of the plate given with the description we are bound to
say does not completely bear ont all the distinctions.
Drapairnaldia plumosa. {Vancli.) Ag. Byst.
Threads and primary branches hyaline, cells equal or shorter
than their diameter, rarely a little longer, a little, or but scarcely
constricted at the joints, chlorophyllose bands narro-w, bright
green, lower cells of the branches equal or almost twice as long
as their diameter, upper cells cylindrical, attenuated, 2-5 tiines
as long as broad, sometimes not piliferous, fascicles of the branches
densely branched, elongated, with an acutely lanceolate outline,
erect, somewhat appressed.
S i z e . Cells of main thread -045 mm., of fascicles -008 mm.
Eng. Fl. V., 888. Eng. Bot. ii., t. 2544. Harv. Man. 121.
Johnst. FL Berw. ii., 258. Mack. Hib. 222. Flor. Dev. ii., oU.
Hook. Fl. Scot. ii., 77. Gray Arr. i., 803. H a s s . Alg. 121, t.
12, f. 1. Eab. Alg. Eur. iii., 382. Kirch. Alg. Schles. p.
Kutz. Tab. Phyc. iii., t. 14.
Conferva lubrica, Eng. Bot. i., t . 2087.
In slow streams or pools.
Much less common than the preceding species.
Plate L X X r i. Jig. 1. Portion of filament of Draparnaldia plumosa,
X 400. Fig. 2. Portion of filament of the variGty jnilchella X 400.
G e n u s 73. CHHITOPHORA. SoJiranh. (1789.)
Articulate filaments, with the primary branches radiately disposed,
composed of elongated vegetative cells, with chlorophyll
bands as in Dra p a rn a ld ia w A Stigeoclonium; divided upwards
into numerous branchlets, which are shortly artociilated, the
ultimate joint attenuated, often empty, soarcely^ or not at all
lengthened into a thread, ultimate branchlets in more or less
crowded fascicles, involved in a firm gelatinous, coriaceous, or
hard mass, of a globose or subglobose, or plane, expanded,
variously lobed form. Propagation th e same as in the preceding
genera.
C h * toph o ia p is ifo im is . (Roth) A g .S y st.p . 27.
Thallus globose, about the size of a pea, often smaller (now
and then as large as a cherry), bright green, even, shining,
sometimes aggregated, not rarely confluent.
S i z e . Cells -006--009 mm., of branches '006 mm.
Hass. Alg. 128, t. ix ., f. 5, 6. Kutz Tab. Phy. iii., t 18,
fig. 3. Grev. Sc. Crypt. FL, t. 160. Eabh. Alg. E u n in., 383.
k irc h . Alg. Schl. p. 69. Eng. Fl. v., 889. Harv. Man. 128.
Berk. Glean, t. 1, f. 1.
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