resemblance to one of the larger species of Bivularia, especially
to some of the fresh-water kinds, or those that inhabit dripping
rocks ; localities very similar to what our Schizothrix delights in.
But the nature of its filaments, the absence of the basal
globule, and of the firm gelatinous matrix, afford sufficient
characters to separate it from any of the Bimlarice.
Mr. Cresswell states that the Schizothrix grows at the very
top of high-water mark, in situations where it is exposed to the
continual drip of fresh water falling from high mural clifis,
and that it is most luxuriant where the drip falls from the
greatest height, which in the station observed is about fifty feet.
In this locality, where only this curious plant has yet been
found, it occurs in considerable quantity, extending for upwards
of twenty yards along the surface of a projecting piece
of the cliff. It commences to grow late in the autumn, and is
in perfection in November.
I have peculiar pleasure in dedicating this species to its
discoverer, who has explored with much zeal and ability the
botany of his neighbourhood, not omitting the more minute
Algai, which too commonly escape the notice of mere collectors.
I am indebted to him for many specimens of the rarer kinds, and
for excellent observations on several of them; and we may anticipate
much interesting information from experiments which he
has commenced on the growth of Sea-weeds, in closed bottles of
sea-water. Already, he writes in a recent letter, he has succeeded
perfectly with Bryopsis plumosa, which, in the space of a month,
“ has grown considerably, and is now putting out beautiful side
branches.” This subject deserves more attention. I may mention
that I have myself a plant of Griffithsia setacea, inclosed in
April 1846, which is now (Feb. 1848) in perfect health; that
the water in the bottle has never been changed, and is as pure
as when the plant was inclosed in it. No care has been taken
of this plant, which stands on a library shelf.
Kg. 1. Schizothr ix Cr e s sw e l l i i; tufts, in situ:— o f the natural size. 2.
Bundles of filaments:—maqnitied. 3. Portion of two filaments :— h
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