638 ALG^. 



alkaline solutions. This new immediate principle cannot be 

 confounded with any other. The ultimate analysis of Gdlose 

 presents the following results :— Carbon 42-77, Hydrogen 5775, 

 Oxygen 51-445. As it has not yet been possible to |orm with 

 it any definite combination, from which its ecjulvalent weight or 

 rational formula could be deduced, it must for the present be 

 ranked among the immediate principles having oxygen exceed- 

 ing the proportion necessary to form water Ayith the hydrogen 

 they contain. Gelose differs' from animal gelatine in not 

 precipitating tannic acid; from starch jelly, in not being 

 rendered blue by iodine ; from gum, by its insolubility in 

 cold water, aud its great gelatinising power. From the 



mucilage 



d 



it appears to differ chiefly in its power of combining with a 

 great amount of water to form a jelly, which is not the case 

 with Cari-ageeuin. 



Grei^. 



GRACILARIA LICHENOIDES. 



^ 



Fig.— Bentl. and Trim., t 306. Ceylon Hoss (Eni/.). 

 Hab. — Backwaters of Ceylon. The plant. 

 Vernacular.— Chini-ghvis {Tnd. Bazars), Agar-agar {Ceylon), 



History, Uses, &c, — Ceylon Moss or Agar-agar has 

 long been used in Southern India and Ceylon as a nutritive, 

 emolient, demulcent and alterative, especially valuable in pec- 

 toral affections. It has been described by Rumphius, Gmelin, 

 lurner, Neos, Agardh, and O'Shaughnessy. (Conf. Fereira's 

 Mat Med., Yol. IL, Pt. J., p. 13.) i^ ^^^^^ abundantly in 



Tina ICkwr^^ T-rtl*-„ 1_ 1 . -. * _ « 



lake or backwater which extends between 



Calpentyr, and is collected by the natives principally during 

 the south-west monsoon, when it becomes separated by the 

 agitation of the water. The moss is spread on mats and dried 

 m the sun for two or three days, it is then washed several times 



m fresh water, and again exposed to the sun, which bleaches 

 it. TV10 i^^n^^- _ T .. . ' . 



Jt. The follow 



