COLLECTINa SEA-WEEDS. 293 



well as in open pools, delights also to gi*ow the 

 Chondriis, m the form of little leafy bushes, each leaf 

 widening to a flattened tip. When viewed growing 

 in its native element, this plant is particularly beau- 

 tifid; for its numerous leaves glow with refulgent 

 reflections of azure, resembling the colour of tempered 

 steel. This weed when dried is used for making 

 jellies, and constitutes the Carrageen Moss of the 

 shops. 



We may observe among the sea- weeds many tufts 

 of a small species, whose leaves are much and deeply 

 cut, with the divisions rounded, and the general out- 

 line of the leaf pointed. Some specimens are of a 

 dull purple, others of a rich yellow hue ; and I refer 

 to the species as an interesting example of the influ- 

 ence of light on the colour of marine plants. The 

 yellow specimens are exposed to the sun's rays ; the 

 purple ones are such as have grown in deep shadow. 

 The species is the Laurencia pinnatijida of botanists. 



Turning from the hidden clefts, we explore the 

 deep pools that lie between the ledges. High wading- 

 boots are necessary for this purpose, as we have to 

 work in the water. The great Oar-weeds and Tangles 

 [Laminaria) are growing here, large olive sea-weeds 

 that wave to and fro with the undulations of the sea ; 

 the former a long narrow puckered frond of brown 

 colour ; the latter, a broad smooth leathery expanse of 

 deeper colom* on a slender stalk, splitting with age 

 into a number of lengthened Angers or ribbons, and 

 hence called the Finger Tangle [Laminaria digitata). 

 Among these grow clusters of an elegantly frilled 

 species, of delicate thin texture, and yellow-brown 



