/ 3 t [ 2465 ]
CONFERVA purpurascens.
Purple Veiny Conferva.
CRYPTOGAM1A Algae.
G e n . C h a r . Seeds produced within the substance of
the capillary or jointed frond, or in closed tubercles
united with it.
S p e c . C h a r . Purplish red, repeatedly branched, very
slender and tufted. Joints slightly tumid, thrice
as long as broad, with pellucid partitions : those
of the main stems compound. Capsules lateral,
obovate, sessile.
S y n . Conferva purpurascens. Huds. 600 . TVith.
v. 4 . 13 8. Hull. 3 3 3 . Turn. T r. o f L . Soc. v . f .
108.
C. marina nodosa, coralloidis montani instar ramosa.
D ill. Muse. 3 6 . t. 7 . ƒ 41 .
(jA TH ER ED oft the beach at Brighthelmstone, iti July last, by
Mr. W. Borrer, who thinks it may be C. purpurascens of Hudson, a
species hitherto involved in some doubt, and thought by Mr.
Dillwyn the same as our rosea, t. 966. We should be much inclined
to adopt the opinion of this able writer, were his own
rosea (Conf. 1 .17.) free from uncertainty. See his Synopsis, 79.
We can scarcely doubt that the above synonyms are right.
The only question is, whether these two species be distinct.
Mr. Borrer observes that u the stem and principal branches of
the present are (veined, or) composed of several contorted tubes,
each of which is jointed individually, the general dissepiments
in those parts being very obscure.” In other respects, except a
rather more tufted habit, and a greenish or brownish hue, it agrees
with C. rosea.
Mr. Borrer’s observations, having been made upon fresh specimens,
claim the greatest confidence, or we should suspect the
veins, or seeming tubes, might be caused by drying, as we find
some appearance of them in our dried specimens of rosea, at least
in what we have so named. The two plants have probably been
hitherto confounded, We submit the whole matter to future
decision.