SEA- WEEDS. 119 



formed a circle, whose diameter was at least twelve 

 feet. Like the fingered species, it is cleft into 

 ribbons, but it is much larger than any other of 

 our native kinds. Our fishermen call it Sea-fur- 

 belows, and Furbelowed Hangers, on account of 

 the waved margin of the plant at the base, which 

 resembles a frill or furbelow, and at once distin- 

 guishes the species from all others. It grows only 

 in deep water, and is, on account of its size, a 

 valuable plant for manure. It ts the largest 

 European kind. 



The Laminaria tribe have been well called the 

 giants of the marine flora, but large as are our 

 native plants of this family, those of some other 

 seas far exceed them. On the west coast of South 

 America, some of the tribe are a most important 

 resource to the poor, furnishing them, as some of 

 them do also the aborigines of Australia, with 

 instruments, vessels, and' food. In the seas near 

 these shores, they form a forest-like vegetation 

 under the waters ; among whose long leaves lie 

 the treasures of the deep, the pearls of ocean, 

 and the gems of mines : and more precious still, 

 the forms of thousands, once gifted with light 

 and love, which the sea shall hold till it gives up 

 its dead. 



That very singular production, known by the 

 name of Sea-trumpet, is one of this family. When 

 its large fronds are seen floating on the waves, the 

 sailor knows that he beholds a sure indication of 

 the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope. The 



Smng Hottentots, as well as the children of the 

 utch settlers, make trumpets of its long stalks, 

 and Thunberg, who calls it the Trumpet-grass, 

 says that the land-birds often come and sit upon it. 



