The English flora - SeaweedAfrica

326 ALG7E CONFERVOIDEJE. [Ectocarpus.
differs in ramification ; and the length of the joints in this genus is not
to be depended on. The strongest character lies in the fruit.
3. E. crinitus, Carm. MSS. {prostrate Ectocarpus); filaments
decumbent forming extensive strata sparingly branched, branches
subsimple distant elongated, capsules globose scattered sessile.
Muddy sea-shores. " On the clayey bank of a rivulet a little below the
flood-level at Appin," Capt. CarmichaeU— Spreading over the mud in " extensive
fleeces of a bright bay-colour ;" filaments about 2 inches long,
with a few subsimple alternate attenuated branches. Capsules rare.
When dry it has a slight gloss, and the colour changes to a dull, but
rather pleasant green.
4. E. tomentosus, Lyngb. .
—
Ectocarpus) ; filaments
(woolly
flexuoseVery slender, woven into a dense sponge-like branching
frond, siliquse oblong obtuse. Lyngb. Hydroph. Dan. p. 132.
t 44.'Ag. Sp. Alg. V. 2. p. 44. Grev. Crypt. Fl. t. 316.— Conferva
tomentosa, JDillw. Conftrv. t. 56.
Sea-shores, not uncommon on many of the coasts.—Easily known
by its habit, which something resembles that of Codium tomentusum.
5. E. disfortus, Carm. MSS. (deformed Ectocarpus) ; filaments
much branched matted angulato-flexuose, branches patent with
obtuse axilla, ramuli divaricated or recurved obtuse spine-like,
capsules obovate.
On Zostera, at Appin, Capt. Carmwhael.~4>—8 inches long, densely
matted, deep chestnut. Filaments bentinto acute genuflexions, so as to
appear distorted, branches spreading at obtuse angles, and beset with
spine-like divaricating ramuli. Capsules scattered on the branches, obovate
or elliptical, with a pellucid limbus, sessile or seated on short
pedicels. Remarkably brittle in a dry state.
** Secondary branches opposite.
6. E. granulosus, Ag. (granular Ectocarpus) ; filaments excessively
branched slender, upper branches short patent oppo-
site, apices elongated and hyaline, capsules solitary elliptical.
Ag. Sp. Alg. v. 2. p. 45.— Conferva granulosa, E. Bot. t. 2351.
On the southern shores of England.— In a variety, sent by Mrs.
Griffiths, the ramuli are much crowded, fascicled and recurvo-patent,
giving the plant a very feathery appearance to the naked eye. 3— 10
inches long.
7. E, sphcerdphorus, Carm. MSS. (round-fruited Ectocarpus);
filaments sleuder tufted, upper branches patent opposite or in
fours, capsules globose opposite to each other or to a branch.
E. brachiatus, Ag. Sp. Alg. v. 2. p. 42. (not Conferva brachi-
ata, of E. Bot.)
On the larger Algae, not rare? Appin, Capt. Carmichael. Sidmouth,
Mrs. Griffiths.—Filaments 1—3 inches long, pale chestnut or yellowbrown.
This agrees in its ramification with an authentic specimen of
E. brachiatus, Ag., but the filaments are coarser, which may depend on
difference of locality, for we observe a similar variation between Scotch
and Devonshire specimens. Agardh has never seen the capsules : — in
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