BOTANY. 13 



commended a few years ago by Mr. W. Andrews*) is 

 the Sea-pea (Lathyrus maritimus), which produces a fair 

 crop of excellent herbage, while its penetrating roots 

 bind the sands nearly equally with those of the Sand- 

 reed. Were the latter planted on the most exposed 

 places, and the Lathyrus under its lee, a most valuable 

 herbage would be acquired. The Lathyrus is perennial ; 

 if browsed by cattle it does not often blossom, but it 

 extends, by means of runners and suckers, over a wide 

 space, forming a close carpet of nourishing leaves. 



Inquiries such as these are, however, more the 

 applications of Botany. I would rather speak of the 

 science, apart from its economic relations, as of itself af- 

 fording enjoyment to the invalid who visits the shore in 

 search of health and strength. When land plants cease 

 to attract his attention, the sea has vegetable treasures in 

 great variety and of inconceivable beauty. The number 

 of British sea-weeds, of the larger class, is not far from 

 four hundred, and if we add purely microscopic species, 

 we shall have upwards of five hundred kinds. In col- 

 lecting and preparing specimens of those beautiful 

 object^ and tracing out the affinities which link one 

 kind with another, and bring the whole into a well- 

 ordered family, many happy hours may be filled up. 

 Nor is this a selfish pleasure. The true naturalist is 

 always ready to share his pleasures with others, and 

 only half enjoys what he cannot share. The value he 

 attaches to the acquisition of a new plant is quite 

 different from that by which a mere collector estimates 

 his treasure. A collector seeks for unique specimens, 



* In a paper read before the Dublin Natural History Society. 



