THE SEA-SHORE. 185 



they proceed with the gulf-stream from the Gulf 

 of Mexico, (whence the original name of Gulf- 

 weed ,) is now exploded." 



This plant, in all probability, attains a larger 

 size than any other ; and it is worthy of remark, 

 that the smallest and simplest of vegetables be- 

 longs to the same natural order. Captain Ross, 

 on his return from the Polar expedition, in 1819, 

 announced the discovery of mountains, some miles 

 in length, which were covered to the depth of ten or 

 twelve feet, with red snow. A similar phenome- 

 non had been observed before in various parts of 

 the world, having sometimes occasioned great 

 alarm. The investigations of recent naturalists 

 have satisfactorily proved, that this remarkable 

 appearance is to be attributed to the presence of 

 an exceedingly minute plant, of the very simplest 

 conformation, vegetating in infinite profusion in 

 the coloured substance. It is not agreed whether 

 the plant is matured in the air, or whether it 

 vegetates after it has fallen to the ground: if 

 the latter be the case, its growth must be incon- 

 ceivably rapid, it having happened that a district 

 of many miles in extent has assumed a red hue 

 in a single night. It seems, however, most pro- 

 bable, that the infinitely minute seeds are carried 

 through the air like smoke or vapour, that they 

 germinate by the influence of the moisture con- 

 tained in the atmosphere, and are brought to the 

 ground by the falling snow. Rain and dew have 

 less frequently been observed of the same colour, 

 sometimes in sufficient quantities to stain the 

 water in pools, and to give it the appearance of 

 being converted into blood. But not only have 

 we on record showers of rain, hail, and snow, 



