ULVA MARINA. 177 



Parmentier* strongly recommended the adoption 

 of this material for mattresses in hospitals and bar- 

 racks, as being; much less liable to transmit contagion 

 than those stuffed with wool or flocks. 



A species of weed, used for stuffing mattresses, is 

 also found in the southern states of America, and 

 especially on the Mississippi. 



ULVA MARINA. 



A marine weed, collected on the coast of the Baltic 

 sea, has been recently introduced into this country 

 as a material for stuffing mattresses ; it is known in 

 commerce as Ulva marina. Its use is, apparently, 

 attended with advantages which will cause its in- 

 creasing arid more general adoption. Bedding 

 formed of this weed can be obtained at a much 

 cheaper rate than that made of horse-hair, while it is 

 equal to the latter in elasticity and softness. 



The ulva marina belongs to that genus of marine 

 plants which have no roots, and are found attached 

 to stones on the sea-coast. It is imported into this 

 country when dry, and the leaves in this state have 

 the appearance of long narrow strips of a yellowish 

 green colour. 



* Annales de Chimie, 45 vol. 



