THE USES OP SEA-WEEDS. 57 



account in Ireland. Being recommended as a palatable food, 

 and particularly as light and nourishing for invalids, it 

 became a fashionable dish ; and the dried material sold at 

 one time as high as 2^. 6r/. per pound. It is now to be 

 got at a much cheaper rate in apothecaries^ shops, but as 

 many would prefer a repast direct from the sea, we may 

 mention that it is bleached in the same manner as linen or 

 cotton, and when dry it can be kept for years. When used, 

 a tea-cup full of it is boiled in water ; this water, being 

 strained, is boiled with milk and sugar and some seasoning, 

 such as nutmeg, cinnamon, or essence of lemon. It is 

 then put into a shape, in which it consolidates like blanc- 

 mange, and when eaten with cream it is so good that many 

 a sweet-lipped little boy and girl would almost wish to be 

 on the invalid-list to get a share of it. There is a Chinese 

 Sea-weed lately imported for commercial purposes, which is 

 used very much in the same way as the Irish moss, and forms 

 even a daintier dish : the native name is Agar- Agar, or 

 Agal-Agal. It is thought to form a component part of the 

 celebrated nests of a species of swallow, Hirundo esculenta,^ 



* The following is from that rich and interesting pablication, ' The 

 Voyage of H.M.S. Samarang :' — 



" About the rocky parts of the coast of Borneo, the Hirundo esculenta 

 swims backwards and forwards all day long, uttering its little cheerful chirp 



