THE SEA-SHORE. 



under the name of Laver, is brought to our tables, 

 and by some considered a delicacy. One or two 

 of the larger species are eaten raw by the poorer 

 classes in Ireland and Scotland. 



While walking round the coast near the Giant's 

 Causeway, I once observed a number of [men and 

 women busily employed near the water's edge ; 

 and, on inquiring of my guide, found that they 

 were providing themselves with food for their next 

 meal. Being curious to discover what kind of 

 fare the rocks afforded, I stopped one of the men, 

 who was going home with his bundle, and asked 

 him to give me a bit to taste, prepared in the way 

 in which it was generally eaten. He accordingly 

 stripped off all the expanded part of a long and 

 narrow leaf,* and presented me with the stem, or 

 mid-rib. It was, I must confess, as good as I ex- 

 pected; but, at best, a very sorry substitute for a 

 raw carrot, combining with the hardness of the 

 latter the fishy and coppery flavour of an oyster. 

 I made a very slight repast, as you may suppose, 

 and, after having given the man a few pence for 

 his civility, continued my walk. My guide, how- 

 ever, seemed to think, that, if I did not choose to 

 enjoy to the full the advantage which I had pur- 

 chased, there was no reason w*hy he should not. 

 He accordingly stayed behind for a minute or two, 

 and, when he rejoined me, was loaded with a supply 

 of the same plant, which he continued to munch 

 with much apparent relish as we pursued our 

 walk. 



The edible nests, which are constructed by 

 several species of swallow in Java, are generally 

 believed to be composed of a substance collected 



* Alaria esculenta. 



