This book covers the species attributed to the orders Cryptonemiales, Palmariales and Rhodymeniales. Each species description incorporates notes on ecology and distribution and is supported by one or more line illustrations. Keys to aid identification are also included. The synthesis of many years' research carried out by members of the British Phycological Society in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, London, this series of books covers all the British and the majority of northern Atlantic seaweeds.

In this, the first of three parts comprising Volume 1, a general introduction to the Rhodophyta - dealing with such topics as morphology, reproduction and economic utilization - is followed by treatment of the orders Nemaliales and Gigartinales. Each species is described and illustrated and notes on the ecology and distribution are given. Keys to aid identification are also included. The Authors: The late Peter Dixon is the author of Biology of the Rhodophyta and numerous scientific papers. He specialised in red algal taxonomy at the University of Liverpool and more recently at the University of California, Irvine. Linda Irvine has over 40 years' experience at the Natural History Museum, London, specialising in algal taxonomy and nomenclature, and was a major contributor to three other books in the series.

This volume is written by leading authorities in red algae. All subfamilies, genera and species are described, notes on ecology and distribution given, and each named species is illustrated by one or more half-tones or line drawings showing distinctive features. User-friendly keys are provided to enable identifi cation of genera and species. Special features of this volume are the concise but comprehensive and practical introduction and a complete re-evaluation of British Isles taxa in consultation with other international specialists. In addition, one new species and three new combinations are proposed. This is a reprint edition of 0-11-310016-7 published in 1984.