50 INTHODUCTIOX. 



exlmustless in variety and grace, daily developed in the 

 grand laboratory of nature, demanding only to be seen to 

 extort our unqualitied admiration^ and leading us irresistibly 

 to contemplate the glory of that almighty Being from 

 whom so many wonders emanate/' 



The direct and indirect uses of Sea-weeds already known 

 are so numerous that we cannot venture to mention them 

 all. There is a respectable class of wholesale dealers in 

 Sea-weeds who are very far from despising them, — we mean 

 our agriculturists. It is interesting, even on our Ayrshire 

 coast, to contemplate the busy scene which the sea-shore 

 exhibits after a breeze, when young and old are actively 

 engaged in gathering up the treasure which the bountiful 

 ocean has spread out for them. There we see the farmer's 

 cart, and the cottager's loaded barrow ; the industrious boy 

 has also his bngfull, which he offers for a penny; and even 

 children, though they have neither bag, basket, nor barrow, 

 contrive to fasten a load on the broad-fronded Tangle, and 

 using the stem as the pole, the little urchins drag it along 

 in triumph. In the Island of Arran, opposite to the Ayr- 

 shire coast, the value of Sea- weed as manure is well known; 

 and, lest there should be any dispute respecting its appro- 

 priation, the factor for the Duke of Hamilton very judi- 



