194 



VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



summer, and autumn. ' A stream of water no 

 larger than what will fill a pipe of one inch bore will, 

 if not absorbed by the soil, suffice to irrigate in this 

 way an eighth of an acre.' 



SAMPHIRE Crithomum maritimum is almost 

 the only wild plant, with the exception of water-cress 

 and laver, which is gathered for the supply of the 

 demands of luxury. Samphire, as is well known, 

 grows on the rocky cliffs of our southern shores ; and 

 even in the time of Shakspeare it was a profitable oc- 

 cupation to gather it. 



' How fearful 



And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low ! 

 The crows and choughs that wing the midway air 

 Show scarce so gross as beetles : half way down 

 Hangs one that gathers samphire ; dreadful trade ! 

 Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.'* 



Samphire Crithomum maritin:an. 

 * King Lear, Act iv, Scene 3. 



