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in the production of Agar-agar, such as the Australian and 

 Asiatic plants, Eucheiima spinosum, Gracilaria lichenoides, 

 G. tenax, and other related species, which yield the products 

 known in commerce as Agar-agar, Agar-agar gum, Agal-agal, 

 Bengal isinglass, Bengal isinglass gum, Ceylon moss, Ceylon 

 Agar-ag^r, Chinese moss, &c. 



Vegetable isinglass is composed largely of gelose or para- 

 rabin, a substance remarkable for its gelatinising properties, 

 which exceed those of any other known product. It is 

 insoluble in cold water, alcohol, dilute acids, and alkalies ; 

 its melting point is 90° F. It has eight times the gelatinising 

 power of ordinary gelatine and isinglass ; and one part to 

 500 parts of boiling water forms a jelly on cooling. Gelose 

 jelly keeps well, but owing to its high melting point is not 

 so well adapted for food preparations as some other jellies. 



In addition to the kinds of algae mentioned, very many 

 others are made use of ; some being used for the manufacture 

 of jellies, some as vegetables, some in the making of salads, 

 some as condiments, and some for decorative purposes. 

 Large quantities also are used as fertilisers for the soil, while 

 immense quantities are employed in the manufacture of 

 iodine; secondary products being common salt, sodium 

 sulphate, potassium chloride, and sulphur. 



The common Sea-grass {Zoster a) which abounds in the 

 estuaries along our coast is of economic value, though, per- 

 haps, not of much use as a gelatine producer. It is a very 

 useful medium for a " packing " in cases, and is also of value 

 for use in connection with the production of a callus in 

 grape-vine cuttings. 



Professor Blunno, the New South Wales viticultural expert, 

 in the Department of Agriculture, has recently used — and 

 with good effect — a large quantity of this Zostera, obtained 

 from Port Stephens. In regard to its use in connection with 

 viticulture, Professor Blunno favors me with the following 

 memorandum : — 



" The Sea-grass is used mixed with fine sawdust to line 

 the sides of boxes in which are placed cuttings of phylloxera- 

 resistant stocks that have been grafted with cuttings of 



