C O N F E R V A Griffithsiana.
Agg reg ate-fruited Conferva.
CRYPTOGAMIA Algae.
G e n . C h a r . Seeds produced within the substance of
thecapillary or jointed frond, or in closed tubercles
united with it.
S p e c . C h a r . Pale red, repeatedly branched: little
branches solitary or clustered, very short, simple,
awlshaped. Joints as broad as long. Capsules
on the little branches, sessile, globose, sometimes
aggregate.
T h is nondescript Conferva was first sent to Mr. Sowerby by
Miss Biddulph, in March 1800, from Southampton, since
which time we have repeatedly received it, later in the season,
from that lady, as well as from Mr. Turner; who, as we
have called another species Biddulphiana, wishes this to be
dedicated to another eminent observer of marine plants, Mrs.
Griifitbs; to which we cannot but most readily agree.
The plant before us, one of the branched, red, marine tribe,
grows from a small disk, to the height of three or four inches.
The numerous ultimate branches, scattered copiously along the
main ones, either solitary or two or three together, are awl-
shaped, simple, uniform, not a quarter of an inch long, thickly
jointed. Many of them bear, near the base, small sessile round
capsules, whitish externally, but enclosing a darkish-red nodule.
On some plants the capsules are joined three together,
and in such the red seeds within are seen separate and very distinctly.
In decay the whole plant becomes of a light green.
By drying it changes to a darker or brownish green.