
 
        
         
		tainerl  a  very  heterogeneous  assemblage  of  plants,  including  
 almost  every  Alga  which  is  outwardly  gelatinous,  and  whose  
 inward  structure  exhibits  a  filamentous  arrangement.  Thus  
 such  plants  as  Gloiosiphonia were  included  in  it,  as well  as  the  
 Chatophorai,  and  many others  equally unlike  each  other.  The  
 group  to  which  the  name  is now restricted,  is  distinguished by  
 liaving a gelatinous frond of a  definite form,  filled with radiating  
 threads,  each  of  which  terminates  at  its  lower  extremity  in  a  
 globidar cellule.  The  plants  thus  associated have a  strong affinity  
 together,  but  are  not  exclusively marine,  several  of  them  
 inhabiting  fresh  water,  and  others  growing  on  moist  rocks.  
 Some of  the  latter have  the  property  of  secreting  lime in  their  
 tissues,  if not in  such  a  regular  manner  as  the  Corallines,  in a  
 manner approaching  to  it.  None of  the marine  species  eZibit  
 this property. 
 Fig.  1.  Patcbes  of  E i v u l a e i a   n i t i d a   natural  size.  2 .  Portion  of  tlie  
 gelatinous  frond.  3.  Filaments:—magnijied. 
 V  ( 
 I' 
 rm 
 1 I