2 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



The ash contains calcium oxalate, sodium, potassium, and mag- 

 nesium with chlorine, bromine, iodine, and sulphur. 



These salts apparently bear an important relation to the proper- 

 ties of the gelatinous matter ; for if this matter is extracted after the 

 moss has been washed in fresh water, dilute acid, or alkaline solu- 

 tions, which would remove the salts, it comes out as a thick mucilagi- 

 nous mass which fails to jellify on cooling. On the other hand, from 

 quickly dried unbleached moss which has been rinsed for a short 

 time only in sea water and boiled for three to five hours in fresh 

 water in the proportion of 1 part by weight of the dry moss to 50 

 of water, a stiff gel may be extracted. 



Separation of the solution from the insoluble matter is accom- 

 plished by filtering the mass roughly through a 14-inch mesh gal- 

 vanized screen and then through one or more layers of cotton flannel. 

 The clear filtrate may be evaporated to dryness on a water bath or 

 in a vacuum chamber, ground into fine flakes, and preserved in air- 

 tight receptacles for future use. This method of preparation does 

 not seem to be employed commercially, although it puts the carra- 

 geenin in a clean and most convenient form for quick and ready use. 



The gelatinizing properties of Irish moss are easily destroyed 

 by the addition of small quantities of acid salts and alkalis. Acids 

 in stronger concentrations than 1 per cent N/8 will liquefy the 

 jelly, neutral salts, and especially calcium salts, increase the firm- 

 ness of the gel. Perhaps this is why such small quantities of carra- 

 geenin are capable of coagulating milk. 



Irish moss is used in a variety of ways. It is employed as one 

 of the ingredients of so-called water paints. Certain shoe stains 

 contain a solution of carrageenin for the gloss it imparts when 

 dry. As a sizing for paper, cloth, and thread it is considered ex- 

 cellent. Recently a British patent was taken out for Irish moss 

 extract treated with formaldehyde, which makes a size that becomes 

 insoluble after drying. To a limited extent it is used as a thick- 

 ening for colors in calico printing and for stiffening silk. Soap man- 

 ufacturers and barbers use it because of the velvety lather it makes 

 with soap. As a clarifying agent, it has been used extensively in 

 the manufacture of oil and beer. Bandoline is a perfumed mucilage 

 of Irish moss that is employed as an ointment for the hair or fixa- 

 ture for the mustache. As a therapeutic, a decoction of Irish moss 

 with lemon juice serA^es as a demulcent and emollient in pulmonary 

 affections. It is also recommended for scrofulous complaints, dysen- 

 tery, diarrhea, and disorders of the kidney and bladder. Accord- 

 ing to the United States Dispensatory : 



Carrageenin is said to liave been used as a substitute f(tr acacia under the 

 name of imitation gum arabic ; the latter occurs in three forms — white, light 

 yellow, and yellow. They all have similar properties, swelling up like traga- 

 canth when mixed with cold water but not forming a clear solution unless 

 the mixture be boiled, in this latter respect differing from tragacanth or 

 albumen. 



Carrageenin extracted from unbleached Irish moss has proved 

 suitable for use as a medium in packing fish that otherwise are too 

 soft to stand up in cans. Experiments show that II/4 to l^o grams 

 of the dried extract added to a 14-ounce can of fish are sufficient to 

 form a jelly firm enough to prevent such soft fish as whiting and 



