24 



CHAPTER III. 



ON COLLECTINa AND PRESEEVINQ- SEA-WEEDS, THEIE 

 USES, ETC. 



" As we strolled along, 

 It was our occupation to observe 

 Such objects as the waves had tossed ashore, , 

 Tangle, or weed of various hues and forms, 

 Each on the other heaped, along the line 

 Of the dry wrack. And, in our vacant mood, 

 Not seldom did we stop at some clear pool 

 Hewn in the rook, and, wrapt in pleasing trance, 

 Survey the novel forms that hung its sides, 

 Or floated on its surface, — too fair 

 Either to be divided from the place 

 Ou which they grew, or to be left alone 

 To their own beauty." 



It is not possible to prescribe precise rules wliicli shall 

 be applicable to the collection of all kinds of Sea-weeds 

 in every varied circumstance of coast and season, or to 

 the opportunities or object of each individual collector. 

 Experience will be found to be the best teacher of all 

 minor details, and the time and labour expended to ob- 

 tain it will be productive of many collateral advantages ; 

 one of the chief of which will be a practical knowledge 

 of the habit and appearance of various species, which can 



