484 THE CHEMISTRY OF CREATION. 



saline, and some metallic matters. On the 

 northern shores of Scotland, a rude analysis of 

 this kind has been performed for many years by 

 the peasant manufacturers of what is called kelp. 

 At certain seasons of the year a lively scene 

 used to be presented to the spectator, which is 

 well described by Dr. Macculloch. " The kelp 

 season," he writes, " had now commenced, and 

 the whole shore was one continued line of fires ; 

 the grey smoke streaming away from each on 

 the surface of the water, till, mixing with the 

 breeze, it diffused its odoriferous haze over all 

 the surrounding atmosphere. The weeds being 

 cut by the sickle at low water, are brought on 

 shore by a very simple and ingenious process. 

 A rope of heath or birch is laid beyond them, 

 and the ends being carried up beyond high- 

 water mark, the whole floats as the tide rises, 

 and thus by shortening the ropes is compelled 

 to settle above the wash of the sea, whence it is 

 conveyed to dry land upon horseback. The more 

 quickly it is dried the better the produce ; and 

 when dry it is burned in coffers, generally con- 

 structed with stone, sometimes merely excavated 

 in the earth." * In the act of combustion a sort 

 of rude analysis is performed upon the sea-weed, 

 the carbonaceous and gaseous products arising 



* This process has been now almost entirely stopped by 

 substituting salt for kelp in the manufacture of soda. 



