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S P H A C E L L A R IA v e l u t i n a .
Velvet Sphacellaria.
C la s s a n d O k d e k CRYPTOGAMIA ALGÆ, T i™ — N a t . O k d . ALGÆ, Jms.
De Cand.
G EN ERIC CHARACTER.
Frons Jtliformis, rigida; arliculata, olivácea, ramis distichis vel dichotomis. Sporidia
vel apicibus sphacellatis ramorum inclusa, vel in capsulis.
Frond filiform, rigid, jointed, olivaceous, witli distichous or dichotomous
branches. Sporidia either included in the sphacellated extremities of
the branches, or in capsules.
s p e c i f i c c h a r a c t e r -
S p h a c e l l a r ia v e l u t i n a ; olivácea, effusa, velutina, f lis brevissimîs, suhsimplici-
bus, erectis, basi capsulferis, articulis diámetro suboequalibus.,
S. olivaceous, spreading, velvet-like, filaments subsimple, erect, very short,
bearing capsules at the base, joints about equal in length and breadth.
H ab. In the sea, parasitic on Fucus loreus. Sidmouth, winter.
Plant covering the frond a i Fucus loreus in dark olivaceous velvety patches,
about an inch in length, b u t sometimes extending continuously for several
inches. Under the microscope, this mass is observed to be composed
of a dense assemblage of exceedingly short, erect, equal, jointed
filaments, obtuse at their apex, and bearing capsules near the base.
Joints nearly equal in length and breadth. Capsules dark greenish-
brown, supported on a little stalk, and surrounded with a pellucid border.
It must be acknowledged tbat in this minute plant I have
never been able to observe any spbacellation of the extremity
of the filaments. They are occasionally slightly dilated, but
without any change of colour. At the same time, 1 do not see
how it can well be referred to any other genus. I have frequently
observed this alga and a nondescript Conferva inhabiting
the same frond of Fucus loreus. The conferva I allude
to, at first sight appears to be nothing more than C. scutulata