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CONFERVA ciliata.
C ilia ted Forcipated Conferva.
CRYPTOGAMIA Algce.
G e n . C h a r . Seeds produced within the substance of
the capillary orjointed frond, orin closed tubercles
united with it.
S p e c . C h a r . P a le red , d ic h o tom o u s , fo rc ip a te d a t
th e tip s . J o in t s sh o rt, f r in g e d a t th e ir p a rtitio n s .
C ap su le s la te ra l, ro u n d ish , b eset w ith sh o rt
b ran c h e s .
S y n . C o n fe rv a c ilia ta . Ellis in Phil. Trans, v. 57.
425. t. 18. ƒ. h H. Huds. 599. XVith. v. 4. 137.
Hull. 333. Lightf. 998. Dillw. Syn. n. 137.
Conf. t. 53.
T h is beautiful little Conferva, whose singularly elegant appearance
under a microscope can never leave its species in
doubt, is found commonly enough on the sea coast, growing
either on stones, or on various submarine plants, in reddish
tufts, scarcely two inches high. Each frond grows from a
callous root, and is very much branched and forked, the tips
incurved like a pair of forceps. The joints are about as broad
as long, pellucid, often nearly colourless. Partitions red,
fringed with short, white, spreading, pellucid spines. Seeds
red, dense, in globular lateral capsules, sessile amongst a few
short branches.
Mr. Ellis first published any account of this plant. Linnaeus
had a specimen, but left it undescribed.