178 . USEFUL PLANTS OF GUAM. 
same way as the Irish moss or carrageen (Chondrus crispus). The natives cook it 
with milk or with water, adding to it the juice of fruits to give it an agreeable 
flavor, and then cool it in molds. In Ceylon it is an article of commerce and is one 
of the seaweeds called ‘“agar-agar.’’? It is also known commercially as Ceylon moss. 
Caulerpa clarifera is used as a condiment in the same way as the pepper dulse of 
Seotland (Laurencia pinnatifida). It is sometimes eaten with vinegar as a salad. 
Both of these seaweeds are of wide distribution. In Samoa also Caulerpa clavifera, 
called ‘‘limu fuafua,’’? isa common article of diet. It is also used by the natives of 
many other Pacific islands. It is said to be the favorite food of sea turtles. In India 
and Ceylon Gracilaria conferroides is one of the seaweeds used medicinally, especially 
for pectoral affections. In Tasmania it is used for making jelly, and is ranked in 
nutritive value with Chondrus crispis.¢ 
In Hawaii many seaweeds are used as articles of food. The favorite of the 
Hawaiians is the limu-lipoa (Dictyopteris plagiogramma Montagne). This is even 
celebrated in the songs of the natives, who describe the breath of their maidens as 
perfumed with the limu-lipoa, though to a novice the odor of this alga is anything 
but agreeable. 
Gracilaria confervoides and Gracilaria lichenoides (L.) J. Ag. are of wide distribution 
in the Pacific and Indian oceans. They belong to the Rhodophyceae, or red alge, 
which include, among other species growing on the shores of Guam, Acanthophora 
orientalis J. Ag., and Corallopsis salicornia Grey, (Sphaerococcus salicornia C. Ag.). 
Among the Corallinaceae occurs Mastophora lamourouxii (Dene.) Harv. (described 
by Agardh as Zonaria rosea), the typical form of which was collected in Guam by 
Gaudichaud, and the variety macrocarpa Montr. by Dumont d’ Urville. 
Algie are also found on the surface and in the rivers of the island. In the rainy 
season (August and September) the ground is covered in places with dark-green 
jelly-like masses of Nostoe commune Ag. and Brachytrichia quoyi Born. & Flah. In 
the Agana River Gaudichaud collected Chara fibrosa Ag. and Conferva funicularis Ag., 
and in the Pago River Thorea guadichaudii Ag., a delicate plant belonging to the 
Rhodophyceae. 
In the Agafia River, near its mouth, where the water becomes brackish, occur the 
green, ulva-like EHnteromorpha clathrata (Roth.) Ag. and 2. compressa (1.) Grey. 
These also grow on the sea beach. Other green alge growing in the sea are 
Rhizoclinum tortuosum fastigiatum Ag., allied to Cladophora, Caulerpa  clavifera, 
already mentioned as a favorite condiment of the South Sea Islanders, Caulerpa 
plumaris (Forsk.) Ag. and Cuulerpa freycinetii Ag. The latter have creeping stems 
resembling those of flowering plants in general appearance, with colorless rhizoids 
and branched fronds abounding in chlorophyl. One of the most interesting and 
graceful species is the widely spread Pryopsis plumosa Grey., the minute thallus of 
which, though branching like a feather, consists of a single cell. Its branches sub- 
divide into miniature leaf-like processes, and are finally separated from the original 
cell by transverse walls. The gametes, by means of which it is reproduced, both 
male and female, are provided with movable cilia. Of a very different habit. is 
Halimeda papyracea intricata Ag., which resembles a miniature cactus (Opuntia), 
with broad flattened joints. Growing on the coral reef is the common ‘ peacock’s 
tail,’ Padina pavonia (L.), abrown alga with thin, papery, fan-shaped fronds marked 
by concentric zones; and with it Freycinet collected a second species, Padina coim- 
mersonit Bory., which also occurs on the shores of Japan and of Florida. 
Associated with the algee are several flowering plants, including Potamogeton natans 
and P. zizii, growing in the Agana River; //alophila ovalis, growing in brackish 
marshes; and the grass-like Halodule wninervis, like a miniature Zostera, growing in 
the sea. 
«Maiden, Useful Plants Australia, p. 35, 1889. 
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