144 SEASIDE DIVINITY. 



Even at the present day it may be found for sale 

 in some of the Scottish towns. The name Dulse 

 is derived from the Celtic Duillisk or Dillisk, the 

 name by which the plant is known in Ireland and 

 Scotland, and which signifies a waterleaf. 



The crisped chrondus, already referred to, is also 

 of considerable value for domestic and medicinal 

 use. When boiled, it produces a gelatine of very 

 nutritious qualities, which may be used at table 

 in various forms. From its restorative properties, 

 the mucilage may be taken with advantage by 

 those suffering from debility, or from affections of 

 the lungs. Its slight bitterness in taste may be 

 rendered almost imperceptible by the addition of 

 ,lemon juice or wine. 



To this plant is related the species from which 

 the edible birds' nests are formed, which are con- 

 sidered so great a delicacy by the Chinese, and 

 even by our own countrymen who have partaken 

 of them. These nests are brought from certain 

 islands on the Chinese coast, where there are 

 caves in which birds resembling swallows build 

 for themselves these remarkable habitations, em- 

 ploying for the purpose a species of sea-weed, which 

 they subject to the process of maceration before 

 applying it to its purpose. 



We have thus seen that sea-weeds are of no in- 

 considerable value to mankind. But there are 

 other considerations worthy of notice regarding 

 them. The plants of the sea afford shelter and 

 food to countless hosts of animated beings who in- 

 habit the waters, and to whom as well as to man 



