32 SEAWEEDS 



exclusion of barilla as an import from our markets 

 during the long war. The price of kelp then rose so 

 high that the income of the Outer Hebrides from 

 this source alone was computed to have reached 

 120,000 a year. The industry practically came to 

 an end with the peace and the reintroduction of 

 barilla, while the removal of the salt duty struck a 

 further blow at the revenue of these districts. Kelp 

 is now used only in the manufacture of iodine, and 

 as a manure. The common sea-wrack or bladder- 

 wrack (Fuciis vesiculosus) has been used medicinally 

 for a variety of diseases, but its reputation in this 

 respect has been acquired principally as a remedy 

 for obesity. Bentley and Trimen (Medicinal Plants, 

 vol. iv. p. 304) state that " farther trials are neces- 

 sary before any definite conclusions can be arrived at 

 on its action, and its value as a remedy in obesity. 

 It would appear that it is the essential constituent 

 in the nostrum now so extensively advertised under 

 the name of Anti-Fat." As a food, or rather as a 

 sauce, the species of Porphyra known as Laver are 

 not sufficiently appreciated. Laver is not only abun- 

 dant, but is easily preserved. Carragheen, sometimes 

 called Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus), is used for its 

 nutritive properties, which however appear to have 

 been over- valued. Dulse (Rhodymenia palmate) and 

 tangles (Alaria escidentd) are eaten by the hardy, but 

 are extremely indigestible. The Chinese and Japanese 

 engage in an extensive industry in seaweed products, 

 and certain species are cultivated. Ceylon Moss, or 

 Jaffna Moss (Gracilaria lichencddes), a seaweed which 

 abounds in Eastern seas, is the source of Agar-Agar, 



