BABBLING BEACHES 103 



countless billions drift on to the beaches and die and 

 become green and grey with corruption, the fumes are 

 by no means in proportion to the marvellous littleness 

 of the individual plants. Then we know by the organs 

 of scent and sight that August has come. The beaches 

 are foul. The breakers roll in unbroken or with a muddy, 

 froth, for the scum acts as oil, calming even troubled 

 water. 



The Red Sea is said b}^ some authorities to derive its 

 title from the scum formed by this plant {Trichodes- 

 mnim erythrceum), which is strongly impregnated with 

 iodine. It emits a most disagreeable odour and ex- 

 hales a gas which affects the mucous membrane, causing 

 in some individuals sneezing and inflammation of the 

 eyes. One amateur fisherman of considerable experi- 

 ence and by no means susceptible to intangible irrita- 

 tions, and not to be diverted from his sport by trifles, 

 has frequently been compelled to move from a favourite 

 ground by a stream of the scum drifting to his anchored 

 boat. The fumes gave intense smartness to the eyes, 

 which were relieved by a gush of tears, but keen dis- 

 comfort recurred when the tears were wiped away. 



Following the least desirable of marine phenomena 

 is that which is known as the "blanket weed," which 

 floats ashore in loathsome blobs, a hand's breadth and 

 more, the centre a grey, solidified slime, with a periphery 

 of long, dull green, slimy, shapeless fringes. Individual 

 plants coalesce on the sand and, mingling with other 

 weeds, cover respectable beaches with a woolly, com- 

 pact mass not unlike a rough, thick blanket, but teeming 

 with unpleasantnesses. Isolated plants cling to ropes, 

 which become garlanded with thickened slime, from 

 which evil-smelling mud oozes. Offensive to man 

 afloat and ashore, the "blanket weed" is a luxury to 

 mullet and garfish, for during its period both may be 



