THE SHORES OF BRITAIN. 59 



so delicate that in drying, the colouring matter 

 contracts in the stem, leaving, interrupted spaces 

 destitute of colour, and perfectly transparent. 



These are but a very few of the multitudinous sea- 

 weeds which would come under the notice of an 

 observant visitor to our own rocky shores ; yet how 

 manifold are the indications of infinite intelligence 

 and goodness even in these things proverbial for 

 their vileness! And while we gratefully acknow- 

 ledge the Divine hand in such species as conduce to 

 man's sustenance or comfort, may we not, from the 

 lavish beauty and elegance of such as are of no direct 

 benefit to us, legitimately draw the same consola- 

 tory inference which the Saviour drew from the 

 lovely lilies at His feet ? If God so clothe these 

 obscure caverns and submerged rocks, will He not 

 much more care for those wnom He has redeemed 

 with the blood, and conformed to the image, of His 

 Son ? Nor is the relation which He sustains to these 

 frail and perishing weeds limited to an exertion of 

 creative power. All are marshalled in order, each is 

 provided incessantly with the requisite supplies for 

 its welfare, and each is assigned to that particular 

 locality which suits its habit of growth, and where 

 alone it flourishes. On this subject Mr. Neill 

 observes, "On our open shores a certain order is 

 observed in the habitat of the Fuci, each species 

 occupying pretty regularly its own zone or station. 

 Chorda fihim, or Sea-laces, grows in water some 

 fathoms deep : in places where the tide seldom en- 

 tirely ebbs, but g-enerally leaves from two to three 

 feet of water, grow Alaria esculenta and Laminaria 





