W .H .H . d e l e t J i t h . Reeve,BeaLa.m d-Tleove imp.
P l a t e CXCV.
POLYSIPHONIA BRODIÆI, Grev.
G e n . C h a r . Frond filamentous, partially or generally articulate ; the
joints longitudinally striate, composed of numerous radiating cells or
tubes disposed round a central cavity. Fructification two-fold on
different individuals ; 1, ovate capsules [ceramidia) furnished with a
terminal pore, and containing a tuft of pear-shaped spores; 2, tetraspores
imbedded in swollen branchlets. P o l y s ip h o n ia [Orev.),—
from TToXvt, many, and a tube.
P o l y s ip h o n ia Brodioei-, stems inarticulate, robust, caitilaginous, alternately
branched; branches virgate, clothed with spreading, pencilled,
multifid, delicate, flaccid ramuli ; articulations of the ramuli three or
four tubed, rather longer than broad; siphons in the stem about
seven, surrounding a narrow cavity ; capsules ovate, pedicellate, or
subsessile ; tetraspores in the swollen tips of the multifid ramuli.
P o ly s ip h o n i a Brodiæi, Grev.—Harv. in Hoolc.Br. M . yoI. ii. p. 328. Harv.
in Mack. Fl. Hib. part 3. p. 206. Wyatt, J ig . Banm. no. 83. Harv.
Man. p. 91. FMdl. 3rd Suppl. p. 45. Kiitz. Phyc. Gen. p. 427.
H u tchinsia Brodiæi, Lyngb. Hyd. Ban. p. 109. t. 33. Hook. Fl. Scot. part 2.
p. 88. J g . Syst. p. 154. Ag. Sp. Alg. vol. ii. p. 63.
H utchinsia penicillata, Ag. Sp. Alg. vol. ii, p. 65.
C o n f e r v a Brodiæi, Billw. Conf. 1 .107. F. Bot. t. 2589.
Ce r .vmium Brodiæi, Ag. Bisp. p. 20.
H a b . On rooks and corallines near low-water mark. Annual. Summer.
Common on the rocky shores of Scotland ; of the south of England,
and south and wmst of Ireland. Channel Islands.
Geogr. D is t r . Atlantic shores of Europe, as far south as France ; and of North
America. Foeroe Islands.
D e sc r . Eoot a conical disc. Fronds from six to twelve inches long or more, as
thick as small twine at the base, gradually attenuated upwards, generally
furnished with a more or less evident main stem divided into several long,
simple branches, of a linear-lanceolate outline. Sometimes the branches
spring from nearly the same points ; at other times they are disposed alternately
along a lengthened stem, when the frond assumes a pinnate character.
Branches long and simple, inarticulate like the stem, quadrifarious, and
clothed more or less densely with short, flaccid, and slender quadrifarious
ramuli, about half an inch in length. Bamuli multifid, irregularly dicho-
tomoiis, pencilled, articulated. Articulations of ihe ramuli rather longer
than broad, marked with three or four tubes ; dissepiments hyaline. Stem
opake, traversed by about seven primary siphons, surrounded by as many
secondary ones, and with a wide stratum of smaller cells. Capsules ovate,
abundantly produced on the multifid ramuli, mostly pedicellate. Tetraspores
in swollen ramuli. Colour a dark brown, with more or less of a purplish
ip:: I