THE USES OF SEA-WEEDS. 67 



the following passage from the very interesting Yoyage of 

 the Samarang lately published. In the island of Borneo, 

 '^Tanjong Agal-Agal derives its name from the Sea-weed 

 of that name, which is collected in large quantities uj)on 

 these reefs, extending nearly two miles towards Batommande. 

 There are several species of this Fuciis, all soluble in water, 

 forming a very nutritive mucilage, which, when mixed with 

 acid, fruit, or made into jellies, produces a very grateful 

 beverage for invalids. It forms a considerable article of 

 trade with the Chinese, particularly in the northern pro- 

 vinces of Chin-chew, where it is manufactured into a bright 

 substantial transparent yellow jelly, and is sent in boxes of 

 about ten pounds each to Canton. The gum or paste 

 made from it, is supposed to possess the advantage of being 

 unpalatable to insects and worms. It is from this gum 

 that their fancy lanterns are fabricated, by spreading it 

 over gauze skeletons ; it thus resembles, and is very fre- 

 quently mistaken for, highly transparent horn. It is pecu- 

 liarly brittle, even more so than glass, cracking under very 

 slight changes of temperature." 



We doubt not that it is this Agal-Agal of which a kind 

 friend has sent us specimens from Glasgow under the name 

 of Agar- Agar. The specimens bore a great resemblance to 



