THE MYXOPHYCEAE OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, INDIA.-I. BY S. C. DIXIT, M.A., M.Sc., Wilson College, Bombay.

Received December 26, 1935. (Communicated by Prof. Y. Bharadwaja, M.se., Ph.D. (Lond), r.r,.s.)

HANSGIRG was one of those persons who travelled a lot in tropical countries and, though principally engaged in other ways, made large collections of plants. He collected some Myxophyceee from the Bombay Presidency, and these algae were later determined and recorded by others. After Hansgirg no record was made of the blue-green algae of this province. Professor V. N. Hate, however, started collecting these algae as late as 1922, and he was followed by the writer in the same pursuit in 1927. It is now desired to record the whole myxophyceous flora of this Presidency in parts, and the present account relates to the Myxophyce e of the Bombay Islands' only. Hansgirg's collections, as recorded by De Toni, 2 reveal that he established only nine new species from Bombay proper. The writer, in spite of careful search, has not been able to come across five of then, viz., (1) Meyismopedium minimum3 G. Beck, (2) Phormidium Hansgirgi Schmidle, (3) Campylonema indicum4 Schmidle, (4) Hapalosiphon Hansgiygi5 Schmidle, and (5) Leptocheete Hansgirgi Schmidle. Bombay has no natural reservoirs, but there are a few mill and temple tanks. The Salsette island, however, has good many brooks, rivulets and

i The Bombay Islands (viz., Bombay proper and Salsette) are situated in latitude 18° 54' N. and longitude 72° 49' 1'., being almost at sea-level. The hottest months are April, May and June and their mean maximum temperature is 89.1°F., the highest temperature recorded being 100.7°F. December, January and February are the coldest months and they record a mean minimum temperature of 68.8°F., the extreme minimum temperature being 53.1 F. June, July, August and September are the chief rainy months, and during this period the average amount of rainfall is about 67.13", the average annual rainfall being 70.54". 2 Sylloge Algarum, Vol. V, Myxophyceae, 1907. 3 De Toni (op. cit., 1907, p. 108) records this alga as Merisinopedium minimum G. Beck, while Geitler (in Rabenhorst's Kryptoganien-flora von Europa, XIV Band, Cyanophyceee, 1930- 32, p. 263) writes it as Merismopedia minima G. Beck. 4 De Toni (op. cit., 1907, p. 540) records it as Campylonema indicum Schmidle, but Geitler (op. cit., 1930-32, p. 705) writes it as Camptylonema iedicum Schmidle. The position of Hapalosiphon Hansgirgi Schmidle (syn. Mastigocladus Hansgirgi Schmidle) is doubtful. Geitler (op. cit., 1930-32, p. 558) regards it to be a member of the Scytonemataceoe, while Kisselewa (Jour. Russ, .Bo (, Ges., 15, 1930) actually refers it to the genus Scytonematopsis, 93 94 S. C. Dixit water courses. Most of the places near the sea are low water-logged areas on which paddy is extensively cultivated. Besides, there are three small lakes and a number of small ponds between the hilly parts of the island. All these situations together with the coastal areas, helped by the heavy annual rain- fall, serve as the most suitable habitats for the luxuriant growth of the Myxophyceae, the island of Salsette being far richer than that of Bombay. The analysis of water from different localities has shown that the algae which grow in waters containing high percentage of salt (i.e., sea-water) are (1) A75hanocaasa litoralis Hansg. var. macrococca Hansg., (2) Anabeena orientalis Sp. Nov., (3) Spirulina subsalsa Oerst., (4) Spirulina major Kütz., (5) Oscillatoria sancta (Kütz.) Gom., (6) Oscillatoria acuminata Gom., (7) Lyngbya cestuarii Liebm., (8) Lyngbya majuscula Harvey, (9) Lyngbya confer- voides Agardh, and (10) Microcoleus chthonoplastes Thuret, while the rest are _ either sub-aerial or freshwater forms. From amongst the former type of algae all the forms except Spirulina subsalsa Oerst. have been noticed to migrate into freshwater. In all thirty-six forms have been recorded in this paper, out of which six have been found on moist soil, four grow on stones or rocks, three cover the bark of trees, and the rest are aquatic forms. There are three new species, six new varieties, and eight new forms. The Myxophyceee are generally preserved either in alcohol or in weak formalin, or sometimes in a mixture of both, with or without some glacial- acetic acid. The writer, however, kept his collections in the following solution which has been found to be an equally good preservative :- Copper nitrate .. 0.2 gms. Copper chloride .. 0.2 Glacial-acetic acid .. 0.5 c.c. 2% formalin solution to make up 100 c.c.

SYSTEMATIC ENUMERATION OF THE SPECIES OBSRRVED. 6

I. CHROOCOCCALES. Chroococcaceae. Genus .Microcystis Kützing. 1. Microcystis caruginosa Kütz. Geitler, in Rabenhorst's Kryptogamen- flora von Europa, XIV Band, Cyanophyceae, 1930-32, p. 136, Fig. 59 d. I,at. cell., 3.5/.L. Habitat.—Vihar Lake. (September)

u The classification given by Geitler (op. cit., 1930-32) has been followed in this paper, The Myxophycece of the Bombay Presidency, India—I 95

2. Microcystis flos-aqua (Witty.) Kirchn. Lemmermann, Kryptogamen- flora d. Mark Brandenburg, iii, Algen I, 1910, p. 75; Smith, Ecology of the Plankton Algce of the Palisades Interstate Park, Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin, Vol. 2, No. 2, 1924, Pl. 3, Fig. 13. Lat. cell., 4 µ. Habitat.--In ponds and tanks near Hindu temples, Khar. (July) Genus A j5hanocapsa Nägeli. 3. Aphanocapsa litoralis Hansg. var. macrococca Hansg. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 153. (Fig. 1, A). Lat. cell., 4.5-10 µ. Habitat.—On soil near sea-shore at Chowpaty. (August) Genus Aphanothece Nägeli. 4. Aphanothece fiallida (Kiitz.) Rabenh. Geitler,- op. cit., 1930-32, p. 172, Fig. 78. Forma minor. Form. Nov. Diam colon., up to 1 .8 cm. ; lat. cell., 2.5-4 j; long, cell., up to

6.5 j.; lat. cell., cum vag., 5.5-9 . ; long, cell, cum vag., 7.5-12 ,u. Iabitat.—On the bed of a stagnant rivulet, Santa Cruz (August), and Kurla (October). This form differs from the type in the smaller dimensions of the cells. Genus Glceocapsa Kiitz., emend. Nägeli.

5. Glceocapsa atrata (Turp.) Kütz. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 186, Pig. 83 c. Diam. colon., tip to 30 µ. ; lat. cell., 3.5 µ ; lat, cell, cum vag., 6.2-12.5 µ. Habitat.—On a rocky river-bed, Borivali. (V. N. Hate; October). Genus Chroococcus Nägeli. 6. Chroococcus pallidus Nag. Geitler,,op. cit., p. 239, Fig. 116 b. Forma. L,at. cell., 5-6 t.L ; long. cell., 5-7 .5 µ ; lat, cell, cum vag., 11 .2 long, cell, cum vag., 14 µ. Habitat.—On stone-walls of Mandapeshvar (Borivali) and Jogeshvari caves. (August and September) The form differs from the type in the thick yellow-brown sheath, 96 S. C. Dixit

FiG. I —A. Aphanocapsa litoralis Hansg. var. macrococca Hansg. B—H.—Gla?otrichia Raciborskii Wolosz. B, mature and C. young filaments of var. salsettense Var. Nov.; D, basal, and B, terminal portions of the filaments of var. bornbayense Var. Nov., F and G, basal, and H, terminal portions of var. con ica Var. Nov. A X910; B and C x580; D and B x675; F-H x675. II. HORMOGONEALES. (a) Nostochol5sidacece. Genus Nostochopsis Wood. 7. Nostochojisis Hansgirgi Schmidle. Geitler, obi. cit., 1930-32, p. 479, Fig. 289.

Diam. trich., 1 •2-3 i; lat. het., 4-5 p.; long. het., 6.5-7.5 µ. Habitat.—On rocks in a rivulet near Goregaon, (September) The Myxophycece of the Bombay Presidency, India--I 97

(b) Ri vulariacecc. Genus Glceotrichia Agardh. 8. Gkeotrichia 12aciborskii Woloszynska. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 637, Fig. 405 a. Var. salsettense, Var. Nov. (Fig. 1, B and C).

Diam. strat., 1 cm. ; long. fil., 880 µ ; diara. trich., 5-9 t; crass vag., up to 2 IL; lat. het., 7 .5-14 µ ; long. het., 10-12.5 j; lat. spor., 12.5--15 IL; long. spor., up to 67.5 µ. Habitat.—Free-floating in a forest pool, Borivali. (September) This alga differs from the type in the much bigger thallus, in the hyaline sheath showing distinct divergent stratification throughout its length, in the broader heterocysts, and in ,the narrower spores. It also differs from the var. Lilienfeldiana (Wol.) Geitler (Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, P. 637, Fig. 405 b) on account of the sheath being thicker and stratified, and the spores being generally thinner and slightly more elongated. Var. bombayense, Var. Nov. (Fig. 1, D and E). Diam. fil., tip to 22 •5 µ ; diam. trich., 3.5-6.5 µ ; lat. het., 10-12 .5 µ long. het., 8.5-10 p.; lat. spor., 8.5-12 •5 µ ; long. spor., 37 •5 µ. Habitat.—Free-floating in a stagnant rivulet, Goregaon. (September) The sheath in this form is brown, but the stratification is not very distinct. This variety differs from the type in the thinner trichomes, larger heterocysts, and smaller spores. Var. conica, Var. Nov. (Fig. 1, F-H). Diam. fil., 30-37.5 p.; long. fi1., 550 p.; diam. trich., 5-7 .5 p.; lat. het., 10 p.; long. het., 7 .5 µ ; lat. spor., 8.5-11.5 p.; long. spor., 55 p. Habitat.—Free-floating or attached to Chara zeylanica Wild, in a stag- nant pond., Santa Cruz. (August) This variety can be compared with var. Lilienfeldiana (Wol.) Geitler on account of the length of the spores and the breadth of the heterocysts. But it differs in the narrower trichomes and much thinner spores. The development of the brown sheath in this alga is sometimes so great at the base of the filament that it may altogether enclose the basal heterocyst. Moreover, the sheath thins out from base to apex, making the outer contour of the sheath more or less conical.

B6A F 98 S. C. Dixit

(c) Microchcetaceie. Genus Aulosira Kirchn. 9. Aulosara implexa Born. et Flah. Frémy, Les Myxophycées de l'Afrique equatoriale francaise, Arch. de Bot., iii (1929), Memoire No. 2, 1930, Fig. 318 a and b. Var. crassa. Var. Nov. (rig. 2, A–D). Filanient5 straight or slightly curved. Sheath hyaline, stratified ; at first thin, later thick. Cells usually broader than long, disc-shaped, rarely almost quadratic, with slight constrictions at the joints. Heterocysts quad- ratic, disc-shaped or cylindrical ; single, sometimes two together. Spores not observed.

Pic. 2.—A—D, Audosira. im le. a Born. et. Flab. var. crassa Var. Nov.; F and F, Plreto. Hierna indira S. Nov. A x580; P-D xó5; F and F x 910. The Myxophyceee of the Bombay Presidency, India—I 99

Diam. fil., 22-25 µ ; diam. trich., 16.8-18.5 tc ; long. cell., 7.4-11.1 µ ; lat. het., 14.8-18.5 µ ; long. het., 7.4-22.2 tc ; crass. vag., no to 3.7 p.. Habitat.—Among other algee, on a bed of a rivulet, Borivali. (V. N. Hate; January) This variety differs from the type in the cells being usually flattened, and in the larger dimensions of all parts. The sheath becomes thicker in old filaments. 7 (d)- Scytonentataceca. Genus Plectonema Thuret. 10. Plectonema indica Sp. Nov. (Fig. 2, E and F) Thallus fluffy, expanded. Filaments irregularly curved and densely entangled. Trichomes blue-green, sparingly branched, possessing both single and geminate branches. Sheath firm, at first thin and hyaline, later thick, stratified and yellow-brown; unstained with chlor-zinc-iodide. Cells almost quadratic or cylindrical, up to twice as long as broad, with slight constric- tions at the joints ; end-cell rounded. Diam. fil., 12.8--14.9 p.; diam. trich., 7.4-9.2 p.; crass. vag., up to 3.7 p.. Habitat.—On walls, along with Cliroococcus pallidus Nag. and mosses, Mandapeshvar caves, Borivali. (September) According to the key given by Geitler (o j5. cit., 1930-32, p. 682) the alga comes close to P. Tomasinianum Born., P. Volkensii Schmidle and P. Fortii Frémy. Frone the first species it differs mainly in the cells being almost quadratic or cylindrical and in the sheath being not stained with chlor-zinc- iodide. It contrasts with the second species$ on account of much thinner filaments and trichomes. From P. Foytii Brémy, while agreeing in the presence of almost quadratic or cylindrical cells, it differs on account of thinner filaments and trichomes, and thick stratified sheath. The Bombay alga may also be compared with P. nostocorum Bornet on account of cylindrical cells, but the former species differs in the thicker fila- ments and trichomes.

7 Although Aulosira iniplexa Born. et Flah. is described to possess a thin sheath, Frémy op. cit., 1930, Fig. 318a) has drawn it fairly thick. Probably he has drawn an older filament as is the case in the Bombay alga (cf. Bháradwäja, The Taxonomy of `Scytonema' and `Tolypothrix', Revue Algologique, Tome VII, p. 152, 1934).

8 The description given for the cells of P. Volk ensii Schmidle appears to be inaccurate and consequently unreliable (cf. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 689). B7 10Ö S. C. Dixit

Genus Scytonema Agardh. 11. Scytonema ocellatum Lyngbye. Frémy, o ff . cit., 1930, P. 309, Big. 263. Diam. fit., 12.5 1c ; lat. cell., 9 p ; long. cell., 7.5 µ ; lat. het., 7•5 µ long. het., 8.4v. Habitat.-Among the roots of an orchid on the hark of Mangifera indica ; Borivali. (September) Genus Tolypothrix Kütz. 12. Tolypothrix distorta Kütz. Var. penicillata (Ag.) Lemm. Lemmer- mann, obi. cit., 1910, p. 218; Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 720, rig. 461. Diam. fit., 11-16.6 µ; crass. vag., up to 3.7 p; diam. trich., 6 .5-9.5 µ; lat. het., 6.5-10.5 g; long, het., up to 22.2 g. Habitat.-In stagnant ponds and rivulets, Borivali and Santa Cruz. (August) 13. Tolypothrix lanata Wartm. Getter,, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 718, Fig. 459 d. Forma minor. Diaur. fit., 6.2-9.2 µ ; diam. trich., 4.8-7.4 j; lat. het., 4 .S-7.4 L; long, het., up to 10 ft. fabitat.-Among other alge on walls and also on soil, G nidevi. (September) The form differs from the type in the smaller dimensions of all parts, and in the absence of heterocysts in chains. (e) Nostocacece. Genus Cylindrospermum Kütz. 14. Cylindrospermum muscicola Kütz. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. Fig. 520 d. Var. longispora. Var. Nov. (Fig. 3, A and B). Lat. cell., 3.7-4 t& ; long. cell., 4.5-7.5 tk ; lat. het., 5-6.5 µ ; long. het., 7.5-10 µ ; ]at. spor., 7.5-12.5 . ; long. spor., 21.5-31 .5 `µ. Habitat.-On water-logged soil in rice fields, Mandapeshràr, Bofiväli. (September) This form differs from the' type in the slightly elongated cells, larger heterocysts and longer spores. Usually there 'is a heterocyst at each end of the trichome. 9

9 The presence of heterocysts at both ends of the trichome in Cyli.ndrósperïnu3n has been described by various workers (cf. Bháradwäja, "Contributions to our knowledge of the Myxophyceae of India," Annals of Botany, 1933, 47, 117). The Myxo/'hyceer of the Bombay Presidency, India—I 101

Genus Nostoc Vaucher.

15. Nostoc Hatei1 ° Sp. Nov. (Fig. 3, C). Thallus almost spherical; at first attached, later free-floating; dark green. Trichomes irregularly curved and densely entangled. Cells spherical or ellipsoidal. Heterocysts single or in short chains of 2 to 5; almost spherical, rarely slightly barrel-shaped, sometimes flattened. Spores not observed. Diam. strat., up to 2 cm. ; diam. trich., 3.7-6 tc ; lat. het., 3.6-5 tc long. het., 5. Habitat.—On aquatic plants in a stagnant pond, Santa Cruz. (August) This species resembles Nostoc Kihlmani Ler am. in the spherical thallus, irregularly curved filaments, and in almost spherical cells and heterocysts ; but it differs from the same in the greater size of the thallus, the presence of ellipsoidal cells and smaller heterocysts, and in the absence of gas-vacuoles. The Bombay alga sometimes possesses heterocysts in chains, and this feature, together with almost spherical heterocysts, brings it close to Nostoc planctonicum W. Poretzky; but it differs from this Russian species in the larger thallus, smaller heterocysts, the absence of gas-vacuoles, and in the cells being spherical or slightly ellipsoidal and not flattened and barrel-shaped. Genus Anabcena Bory. 16. Anab^ena variabilis Kütz. Frémy, op. cit., 1930, p. 358, Fig. 294. Lat. cell., 3.7-5 t; lat. het., 5-7.5 p; long, het., up to 9 p ; lat. spor., 7.5 µ ; long spor., 8.5 jc. Habitat.—In a road-side pool, Thana. (September) 17. Anabcena orientalis Sp. Nov. (Fig. 3, D and E). Trichomes single, straight or slightly curved. Cells almost quadratic or cylindrical, rarely slightly barrel-shaped, up to almost twice as long as broad ; end-cell conical with rounded apex. Heterocysts single, intercalary, cylindrical or slightly ellipsoidal with rounded end-walls. Spores one on each side of a heterocyst, ellipsoidal. Lat. cell., 2.5-4 µ ; long. cell., 3.7-4.8 /L; lat. het., 4.8-5.5 p; long. het., 7 , 4-9.2 p ; lat. spor., 7.4-92 L; long. spor., 14.8-16.6 µ. Habitat.--In a rain-water pool near sea coast, Mahalaxmi. (September) This species can only be compared with Anabtena a ^hanizomenoides Forti; both have straight or slightly curved trichomes with slight

10 Named after Prof. V. N. Hate of Bombay. 102 S. C. Dixit constrictions at the joints, cylindrical cells, conical end-cells, and usually a single spore on either side of a heterocyst. The present species, however, differs in the slightly thinner trichomes, in the cylindrical heterocysts and in the ellipsoidal spores.

FIG. 3.—A and B, Cylindrosbermum nuscico1a Kütz. var. 1oigispora Var. Nov.; C, Nostoc Hatei Sp. Nov.; D and B, Anabcena orientalis Sp. Nov. A 3175; B and C x x 1820 ; D and B x 3175. (f) OsciUatoriace. Genus Spirulina Turp. 18. Spirulina subsaisci Oerst. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 928, Fig. 593 a. Diam. trich., 0 .8 p.; lat. spir., 1 .7 p.. Habitat.—On sea-shore, Colaba. (August) The Myxo/hycea' of the Bombay Presidency, India—I 103

19. Spirulina major Kütz. Geitler, op, cit., 1930-32, p. 930, Fig. 595. Diam. trich., 1 •5 µ; lat. spir., 2.5--3.7 µ; spat. inter duo. spir., 2.5-3 .7 p. Habitat.—Among other algae in a stagnant rivulet, Muland. (January) Genus Oscillatoria Vaucher. 20. Oscillatoria sancta (Kütz.) Gotn. Tilden, Minnesota Alge, Vol. I, 1910, Pl. IV, Fig. 5. Forma. Diaur. trich., 7.5-10 j; long. cell., 2-2.5 p. Habitat.—In a rain-water pool, Dharavi Road, Mahim. (V. N. Hate) The form differs from the type in the thinner trichomes. 21. Oscillatoria subbrevis Schmidle. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 946, Fig. 601 b. Forma crassa. Form. Nov. Diam. trich., 12.5-20 µ ; long. cell., 2.5-3 µ. Habitat.—On moist soil near a main water-pipe, Kurla. (October) in road-side ditch, Borivali. (August) This form differs from the type and the Forma major West in the much thicker trichomes. - Forma. Diam. trich., 7.5-10 p ; long. cell., 1 .2-1 .5 µ. Habitat.—Along with Forma crassa. 22. Oscillatoria princeps Vaucher. Frémy, op. cit., 1930, p. 207, Fig. 175. Diam. trich., 40-48 pt.; long. cell., 4-8 p. Habitat.—In road-side ditches, Khar and Santa Cruz. (April; September) 23. Oscillatoria formosa Bory. Tilden, op. cit., 1910, Pl. IV, Fig. 33. Diam. trich., 5-6 t; long. cell., 2.5-6 p. Habitat.—On a wooden plank near the water-pump engine, Andheri. (August) 24. Oscillatoria acuminata Gom. Tilden, op. cit., 1910, Pl. IV, Fig. 29. Forma. Diaur. trich., 2.5-4 µ ; long. cell., 4-5 µ. Habitat.—In shallow pools, Sion. (October) The form differs from the type in somewhat smaller dimensions of the cells. 104 S. C. Dixit

Genus Phormidium Gomont. 25. Phormidium ambiguum Gom. var. major. I,emm. I,emmermann, op. cit., 1910, p. 127. Diafin. trich., 9 t; long. cell., 2.2-4.5 µ. Habitat.—On mud, Kurla. (September)

Genus Lyngbya Agardh. 26. Lyngbya astuarii Liebm. Tilden, op. cit., 1910, Pl. V, Figs. 40 and 41. Diam. fil., 20-24 EL.; diam. trich., 14.8-16 j; long. cell., 3-4 µ. Habitat.—Free-floating in sea-water along with species of Enteromorpha, Santa Cruz. Var. tennis. Var. Nov. Diam. fil., 9-12.5 µ ; diam. trich., 5-9 µ ; long, cell., 1 .25-2.5 p.. Habitat.--Along with species of Chara in a freshwater pond inundated by sea-water during high tide, Bhayendar. (September) This variety differs from the type in the narrower trichomes, and in the absence of gas-vacuoles and granules by the side of cross walls. 27. Lyngbya majuscula Harvey. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 1060, Fig. 672 c and d. Diam. fil., 45.6-51 tc ; lat. cell., 25-42.5 µ ; long, cell., up to 8.5 µ. Habitat.—In a rivulet, Borivali. (October) 28. Lyngbya confervoides Agardh. Tilden, op. cit., 1930, Pl. V, Fig. 39. Diam. fi1., 14-15.5 p.; lat. cell., 6.5-10 p.; long cell., 1 •75-3 µ. Habitat.—Attached to rocks at sea shore, Mahalaxmi. (January; August) 29. Lyngbya Allorgei Frémy. Premy, op. cit., 193,0, p. 193, Fig. 156. Diam. trich., 4.6-6.4 p.; long. cell., 4.6-8.3 µ. Habitat.—On mud and stones submerged in flowing water, Borivali. (September) Genus Symploca Kütz.

30. Symploca muscorum (Ag.) Goniont. Geitler, o1. cit., .193p-32, p. 1123, Fig. 730; Frémy, op. cit., 1930, p. 129, Fig. 112 b. Lat. cell., 6-8 p.; long. cell., 6-8 µ. Habitat.—On roots of Ficus Sp., near a pond, Borivali. (September) The Myxophyceae of the Bombay Presidency, India—Í 105

31. Sy»iploca cartilaginea (Mont.) Gomont. Geitler, op. cit., 1930-32, p. 1126, Pig. 734. 1)iam. fil., up to 4•5 µ ; lat. cell., 3 p ; long, cell., up to 6 lc ; Habitat.—On wet rocks, Malabar Hill. (September)

F ic. 4.—A and B, portions of filaments, and C and D, terminal portions of two trichomes of Microcoleus chthonoplastes Thur. All X415. Genus Microcoleus Desmazieres. 32. Microcoleus chthonol5lastes Thuret. Geitler, op. cat., 1930-32, p. 1134, Fig. 739 ; Bharadwaja, '`The Myxophyceae of the United Provinces, India, I", Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences, II, 1935, p. 98, Fig. 2 b and c. Forma. (Fig. 4, A—D). Diam. fil., 27-75 p.; crass. vag., 8-37.5 p.; diam. trich., 3.7-4.2 p.; long. cell., 4.5-7 µ. Habitat.—Epiphytic on red alge, Napean Sea Road and Bandra; in freshwater pools, Santa Cruz. This form differs from the type in sometimes possessing two to four bundles of trichomes enclosed in a common sheath, the outer limit of which is more or less crinkled and shows folds on its surface like those drawn by Fritsch 106 S. C. Dixit

("Contributions to our Knowledge of the Freshwater Algae of South Africa," Trans. Roy, Soc. S. Africa, XI, p. 360, Fig. 21) for Microcoleus annulatus Fritsch and Rich, and by Geitler (op. cit., 1930-32, P. 1156, Fig. 764) for Hydrocoleus Brebissonii Kiitz. Moreover, there are no constrictions at the dissepiments. Most of this work was done in the Botanical Laboratory of the Benares Hindu University, and the author expresses his grateful thanks to Professor Y. Bháradwája, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Loud.), P.L.S , for his most valuable help through- out the preparation of this paper. He is also thankful, to Mr. C. Bhashya- karla Rao, B.Sc., for drawing the figures.

U ^•

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