284 



THE SARGASSO WEED. 



All the weed was more or less pro- 

 fusely covered with parasitical confervce, display- 

 ing much delicacy and beauty. 



I succeeded in capturing with the weed nu- 

 merous specimens of small crabs, and some even 

 of large size, small nereis, together with various 

 specimens of fish, the Syngyiathiis, or pipe-fish, 

 &c. The Scyllea pelagica was also abundant, 

 clinging to the plants; and also numerous small 

 sepise of a beautiful purplish cciour. 



In support of the opinion that the attachment 

 of the fuci to rocks is not absolutely necessary for 

 their nourishment, it has been observed of the fu- 

 cus nodosus, that " this and some other fuci have 

 no dependence on their root for nourishment, and 

 therefore, instead of being ramified, it is merely 

 a disc or button, by the adhesion of which, as- 

 sisted, perhaps, by atmospherical pressure, the 

 weed keeps an uncommonly firm hold of the rock 

 to which it is attached." The air vesicles on a 

 plant of course render it more buoyant than those 

 destitute of them. I have found, that detaching 

 the air vesicles from a plant, and placing it in 



* Osbeck mentions, that, if prepared with vinegar, it fur- 

 nishes an excellent pickle ; and Runiphius, according to Mr. 

 Turner, relates, that, in the East, salads are made of it, as well 

 as other Algae. It is also eaten in Chili. — Grevilles AlgtB 

 Britannicce, 8vo. 1830, p. 2. 



