THE SEA-SHORE. 167 



striped flowers on the sloping bank of some dry 

 sand-hill, where, during the summer months, it 

 presents to the sun a constant succession of beau- 

 tiful but short-lived blossoms. In its immediate 

 vicinity, you will probably find, in full luxuriance, 

 the Eryngo,* or Sea Holly, protected at all points 

 with bristling armour, and easily discovered, at a 

 considerable distance, by the bluish hue of its 

 leaves. Samphire,f which is frequently sent to 

 table as a pickle, is another sea-side plant; not 

 however growing, like the last, on sand, but pre- 

 ferring the steep sides of rocks, which in stormy 

 weather are actually sprinkled with salt water. A 

 large number of curious plants grow in salt 

 marshes, and on the muddy shores of rivers. They 

 are not remarkable for their beauty ; and, as we 

 have much to interest us on the sea-shore itself, I 

 shall leave you to examine them when you have 

 made some proficiency in Botany. 



The term Algce is applied by Botanists to all 

 marine plants that is to say, to all such as grow at 

 the bottom of the sea, or between the levels of 

 high and low water as well as to many kinds 

 growing in fresh water. The structure of all these 

 is exceedingly simple. Examples of the latter 

 you will have in the green masses, composed of 

 tangled threads, which you may see in every stag- 

 nant pond ; we may become acquainted with a vast 

 number of the former in the course of half an hour's 

 walk. 



In ancient times, when a person wished to ex- 

 press utter contempt of a thing, seemingly unfit 

 for any purpose, he would say, " as worthless as 



* Eryngium maritimum. t Crithmum maritimum. 



