The Scottish Naturalist. 



3°5 



a " sea-weed, by far the longest one." This one is frequently 

 from twenty to forty feet in length. 



Sargassum vulgare (or bacciferum) — Sea-grapes. Gaelic: tiir- 

 usgar (sometimes written trusgar, from trus, gather), from turns, 

 a journey. This weed is frequently washed by the Gulf Stream 

 across the great Atlantic, with beans, nuts, and seeds, and cast 

 upon the western shores. These are carefully gathered, preserv- 

 ed, and often worn as charms. They are called uibhean sithei/i, 

 fairy eggs, and it is believed that they will ward off evil-disposed 

 fairies. The nuts are called cnothan-spuinge, and most frequently 

 are Dolichas urens and Entada scandens. To Callithamnion , 

 Plocamium, &c, and various small red sea- weeds, such as adorn 

 ladies' albums, the Gaelic name smbcan is applied. 



Confervae, such as EnteromorpJia and Cladophora. Gaelic 

 and Irish : lianach or linnearach {linne, a pool). Martin de- 

 scribes a plant under the name of linarich — "a very thin, small, 

 green plant, about eight, ten, or twelve inches in length ; it grows 

 on stones, shells, and on the bare sands. This plant is applied 

 plasterwise to the forehead and temples to procure sleep for 

 such as have a fever, and they say it is effectual for the purpose." 

 — Martin's ' Hebrides.' Barraig uaine, the green scum on 



Lochan. Griobhars- 



Eeuruisge, 



stagnant water. 



gaich, the green scum on water 



water-grass. 



" Tha uisge sriith na dige 



Xa shruthladh diibh gun sioladh 



Le barraig uaine, liogh ghlas, 

 Gu mi bhlasda grannd, 



Feur lochan is tachair 



An cinn an duileas bhaite. " — M'lNTYRE. 



The water in its channel flows, 

 A dirty stagnant stream, 



And algae green, like filthy cream, 

 Its surface only shows. 



With water-grass, a choking mass, 

 The water-lily grows. 



(To be continued.) 



VOL. VI. 



U 



