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GRACILARIA COMPRESSA, Grev.
G e n . C h a k . Frond filiform, o r ra re ly flat, carn o so -o artilag in o u s, c o n tin
u o u s , c e llu la r ; th e c en tra l cells very la rg e , empty, o r fu ll of g ra n u la r
m a t t e r ; th o s e of th e surface m in u te , fo rm in g densely packed, v e rtic a l
filaments. Fructification of tw o k in d s o n d is tin c t in d iv id u a ls ; 1,
con v ex tuhercles [coccidia) h a v in g a th ic k p e ric a rp composed of
ra d ia tin g filaments, c o n ta in in g a mass of m in u te spores on a c en tra l
p la c e n ta ; 3, tetraspores im b ed d ed in th e cells of th e surface. G r a -
o i l a k i a [Orev.)— from gracilis, slender.
G kac ilakia compressa; fro n d su ccu len t, b r ittle , somewhat compressed,
a lte rn a te ly o r su b d ich o tom o u sly b r a n c h e d ; b ra n c h e s lo n g a n d mostly
simple, ta p e rin g to a fine p o in t; tu b e rc le s ovate o r subglobose,
sessile, s c a tte re d plen tifu lly over th e b r a n c h e s ; te tra sp o re s tr ip a r tite
o r cru c ia te.
G kacilakia compressa, Grev. Alg. Brit. Tg.\26. J. A g . Alg. Medit. p. 151.
P looaria compressa, Endl. 3rd Suppl. p. 51. Mont. El. Algier. p. 71.
Gioaktina compressa, Iloolc. Br. El. vol. ii. p. 299. Wyatt, Alg. Banm. n .3 5 .
H a n . Man. p. 74. Be Not. Alg. Ligust. p. 14.
S phæ k o co o cu s compressus, Ag. Sp. Alg. vol. i. p. 308. Ag. Syst. p. 283.
Spreng. Syst. Veg. vol, iv. p. 338. Kütz. Bhyc. Gen. p. 408.
S phæ k o co o cu s lichenoides, Grev. Orypt, Fl. t. 341. (rwt o f Agardh.)
H ab. Cast on shore from deep water, attached to oorallines, &c. Annual.
Summer. Very rare. At Sidmouth, Mrs. Griffitlis (1813) and
M iss Cutler. Jersey, Miss Turner.
G e o g r . D is t r . Atlantic coasts o f France a n d Spain. Mediterranean Sea.
D e s c r . Root, a small expanded caUus. Fronds several from the same base, six
to twelve inches long or more, from a line to two lines in diameter, hrittle,
much, but very irregularly, branched. Branches sub-compressed, sometimes
nearly distichous, frequently more or less quadrifarious, alternate or
secund, rarely opposite, simple or forked, elongated and graduaUy tapering
to an acute point, sometimes much attenuated, naked or furnished with a
few scattered subulate ramuli, or bearing (in large specimens) a second or
third series of lesser branches. Tubercles large and prominent, obtusely
conical, sessile on the branches, over which they are very plentifully scattered,
contaming, under a thick wall composed of radiating fibres, a conical mass
of minute spores attached to filaments issuing from a central point. Tetraspores
imbedded in the sm-face cells of distinct plants, irregularly dispersed,
roundish, either tripartite or cruciate. Substance, when fresh, very tender
and brittle, succulent, and brealdng by its own weight if hastily removed
from the water ; becoming tough in drying. Cohur, a transparent, dull
red, which becomes much brighter after the plant has been steeped in fresh
water.—I t adheres to paper in drying, and shrinks considerably.