68 



Bomo prepared spirit, is sold as bandoline, fixature, or clysphitique, and it is employed 

 for stiffening silks. According to Dr. Davy, carrageen consists of 



Gummy matter 

 Gelatinous matter 

 Insoluble matter 



28-5 



49-0 



22-5 



100-0 



The following results, obtained by Dr. Apjohn and Dr. Davy, show, in a eatiisfac- 

 tory manner, the value of tho alga. The amount of water is less than that which 

 belongs to the algae when fresh from the sea, all these having undergone a partial 

 drying in the progress of carriage from tho coast : 



Specimens supplied by Dr. Davy, and dried at 212 



Chondrus crispus, bleached , . . 

 Fucus vesiculosua ..... 

 Rhodomenia polmata (Dylish). 



Nitrogen per cent. 

 2-152 

 2-897 

 3-770 



The quantity of nitrogen contained in some of these plants is remarkably large, 

 and will, of course, with the protcinaceous substances detected in all the Algae, 

 account for the high nutritive value ascribed to them. 



Plocaria Candida. Ceylon moss ; Edible moss. This moss is exported from 

 the islands of the Indian Archipelago, forming a portion of the cargoes of nearly 

 all the junks. It is stated by Mr. Crawford, in his 'History of the Indian Archi- 

 pelago,' that on tho spots where it is collected, the prices seldom exceed from 5s. 8d. 

 to 7s. 6d. per cwt. The Chinese use it in the form of a jelly with sugar, as 

 a sweetmeat, and apply it in the arts as an excellent paste. The gummy matter 

 which they employ for covering lanterns, varnishing paper, &c., is made chiefly from 

 this moss. 



As ordinarily sold in Ceylon, it appears to consist of several varieties of marine 

 productions, with the Plocaria intermixed. 



Tho Agar-Agar of Malacca belongs to this variety; and probably seaweeds of 

 this character are used by the Salangana or esculent swallow in constructing their 

 nests, which are esteemed so great a delicacy by the Chinese. The plant is found on 

 the rocks of Pulo Ticoos and on the shores of tho neighbouring islands. It is blanched 

 in the sun for two days, or until it is quite white. It is obtained on submerged banks 

 in tho neighbourhood of Macassar, Celebes, by tho Bajow-laut, or sea-gipsies, who 

 send it to China. It is also collected on the reefs and rocky submerged lodges in tho 



