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Y t.
CONFERVA. nivea.
Snowy Conferva.
CRYPTOGAMIA Algce.
Gen. Char. Seeds p ro d u c e d w ith in th e su b s tan c e o f
th e c a p illa ry o r jo in te d fro n d , o r in closed tu b e rc le s
u n ite d w ith it.
Spec. Char. W h i te , b ran c h ed , slen d e r, somewhat
r ig id . U ltim a te b ran c h e s crowded, an d o ften
o b scu re ly wh o rled . J o in ts d a rk , a b o u t as broad
as long.
Syn. Co nferva nive a. Dillw. Syn. 54. t. C.
By s su s lan u g in o sa . Willan on Sulphureous Waters 1 0
Dillw.
W e are obliged to William and James Backhouse, Esqrs. of
Darlington for fine specimens of this Conferva, found growing
on roots and dead leaves, in the sulphur spring at Middleton
near that place, as mentioned in Dillwyn. The late ingenious
Dr. Willan, it seems, has observed that hepatic gas is necessary
to its growth. It appears to us moreover that there is a deposition
of an earthy kind, precipitated on the plant, in consequence
of its absorption of that gas, which had suspended or dissolved
the earthy substance; just as Choree become incrusted with
calcareous matter in common hard waters. The whole plant is
extremely slender, and to the naked eye appears white; but the
very fine and copious ultimate branches are found, under a high
magnifier, to consist of innumerable dark joints, nearly as long
as broad. The incrustation usually conceals these.