lii'i I
Chlorococcum vulgare. Chlorococcum is a genus proposed by
F r i e s in his Systema Myeologicum, and subsequently in his
Systema Orbis Vegetahilis. Among other plants, he intended
i t should include the Protococcus nivalis of A g a r d h (the
Red Snow); hut as this extraordinary Alga has really a subjacent
gelatine, I have proposed at Plate 231. that the genns
Protococcus be retained, and in that case the one invented by
F r i e s will be appropriately confined to those species having
free granules, and no gelatine.
Authors of Floras who have described a Byssus or a Le-
praria botryoides, generally seem to have examined the plant
before them; but it is probable that some had Palmella botryoides,
others Chlorococcum vulgare, and hence the uncertainty
in descriptions, synonymes, and stations. I have no
doubt that the representation in “ English Botany” is our present
plant; but the membranous base I have in vain patiently
searched for, and conclude that the artist must have been under
the influence of some deception.
I t cannot escape the attentive student of these tribes, that
the arrangement of the granules indicates some affinity with
certain Ulvacece; the absence of a connecting membrane being
the only difference.
In regard to the peculiar station of Chlorococcum vulgare,
I am inclined to think it is mostly confined to the trunks of
trees, old paling, and similar situations. On the ground it appears
to be very rare indeed; while, on the contrary, I do not
believe Palmella botryoides occurs elsewhere.
Fig. 1. Ch. vulgare, on a piece o f hark, natural size. Fig. 2 . Mass o f gra-
Fig. 3. Granules removed. Fig. 4. Ditto, magnified.