146 WILD FLOW^EBS. 



The roots have a pleasant taste, and are often 

 candied for a sweetmeat, being considered sti- 

 mulating and restorative in their properties. 

 Linnseus says that the young shoots of this 

 plant are eaten in Sweden, after being blanched, 

 and are scarcely inferior to asparagus. He re- 

 commends their use in other countries. 



The sea-weeds (Fuci) are always scattered 

 over the shores, for they are little affected bj 

 the changing seasons. The bed of the oceau 

 being less exposed to changes of temperature 

 than the land, and the great body of water 

 being never either completely hot, or cold, the 

 plants growing in the sea do not experience 

 that change of seasons which so determines 

 the growth of laud vegetation. In some seas, 

 however, marine plants are much more luxu- 

 riant than around our island. In all countries, 

 the base of the ocean is continually rising by 

 the increase of plants, just as the site of the 

 city rises in progressive years by the accumu- 

 lation of soil. 



Sea-weeds afford soda and colour for dyeing ; 

 and their gelatinous nature renders many of 

 them nutritious and medicinal. Iodine, so 

 often administered in cases of glandular en- 

 largement, is procured from several species of 

 sea- weed. 



The woodland scenery is not so brightly 

 green as during last month. Although autumn 

 has not yet touched the leaves with brown, yet 

 their verdure is of a duller cast, and here and 

 there the slight tinge ot yellow may be seen. 



