ON SEA- WEEDS. 151 



zoologist, attempting to get a peep into his bottles, 

 and exceedingly anxious to ascertain what he can be 

 poking and hunting after. It is probable that some 

 more intelligible idea may be formed of gathering 

 Dulse than of his other pursuits on the sea-shore, 

 for that weed is a favourite esculent with the poor. 

 I have frequently seen many of them make a meal 

 upon Dulse. It is not limited as an article of diet to 

 persons near the shore, but is one of those humble 

 luxuries that are eagerly sought after by the poorer 

 classes in large towns. These either eat it raw, or 

 boil it to make a kind of jelly. 



Dulse varies from a rich Burgundy colour to a very- 

 deep purple. It affixes itself to the rocks, and ofttimes 

 grows fringe-like upon the thick stems of the great 

 Oar- weed (L. digitata). 



Growing in even greater profusion than the above 

 is Chondus-chrispus, or Irish Moss an article that, 

 in its dried state, may be had at most grocers' shops. 

 It is sold to make a nutritious jelly for invalids, and, 

 if not so pleasant to look at, is certainly as wholesome 

 as the expensive " shapes" sold by confectioners. 



This plant forms a very pretty feature in an Aqua- 

 rium. As Mr Gosse truly remarks, "it is elegant 

 in form and brilliant in colour; the expanding fan- 

 shaped fronds cut into segments, cut, and cut again, 

 make fine bushy tufts in a deep pool; and every seg- 

 ment of every frond reflects a flush of the most lus- 

 trous azure, like that of a tempered sword-blade." 



" Dr Greville calls this plant the Proteus of the 



