634 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
most nutritive of vegetable substances within his reach. 
Mrs. Slade writes thus :— 
According to your wish, I send you directions for making 
that sort of jelly which chanced to be on the table when you 
breakfasted with us at Houghton. The substance from 
which it is prepared is a beautiful sea-weed, that may be 
pieked up on the beach in great abundance, and is of an 
equally glutinous nature with isinglass. The name of the 
plant is unknown to me, perhaps, indeed, it is nameless ; 
still its utility is so great, that I think it only requires to be 
known to be appreciated ; and, lest I should commit some 
blunder in describing it, I enclose a small specimen. The 
weed should be collected when most plentiful, as it does not 
appear to suffer injury by keeping, if properly dried. Before 
using, it should be well washed in cold water, to remove 
every particle of sand or salt that may adhere to it, and then 
soaked for a night to soften it. In the morning the bunches 
will be found to have expanded very much, and even re- 
assumed much of that beautiful pinky hue which they ex- 
hibited when first gathered. In this state it is fit to be thrown 
into the preserving pan and boiled down to a suitable con- 
sistency for straining, which should be done by adding 
sufficient water to make it completely liquid; but, as flavour 
is lacking, sugar, wine, and other ingredients are requisite to 
render it palateable. If wanted particularly fine and clear, 
it should be strained through a flannel bag.’* 
Perth, April 28, 1842. 
Since writing the above, the “Shepherd” has brought me 
your letter of August last, and the books so kindly sent to 
me. I observe that you quote, under Drosera stolonifera,t 
some remarks by Dr. Lindley respecting the supposed esculent 
* From Mr. eps and "m — —— the sea-weed in ques- 
tion affords the erties with that 
sold under the name of Carrighane Moss (bleached Ee crispus, com- 
mon on all our coasts), and used frequently in this country for making blanc- 
mange. The Swan River specimens have not yet arrived.—Eb. 
t See Drosera stolonifera, Icones Plantarum, t. 389. 
