COLLECTION, PRESERVATION, USES, ETC. 29 



how much may be found even in such a comparatively 

 unproductive spot as that I have attempted to describe. 

 I have purposely laid the scene in a locality far below 

 the average of English watering-places as a collecting- 

 ground for Sea-weeds, and the colours of the picture 

 could be gradually heightened until they culminated 

 in brilliancy on the glowing canvas that should worthily 

 portray the varied products of the rich rocky shores of 

 Devon and Cornwall, of Ireland, or of the Channel 

 Islands. 



I do not know that I have anything further to say on 

 the subject of collecting, and I therefore pass to the 

 process of preserving the specimens that may have been 

 obtained. 



This should be commenced as soon as possible after 

 the collector returns from the shore, for many of the 

 smaller species of the Red series begin to decompose 

 directly they are taken from the water, and none but a 

 few of the larger kinds, chiefly of the Olive series, will 

 keep more than a day or two in a moist state. 



The end to be attained is a dried specimen spread on 

 and adhering to paper in such a manner as shall best 

 display its natural appearance and characters. There 

 are, however, some species that will not under any treat- 

 ment stick to paper, and must, therefore, be simply 

 washed in fresh water and dried between two pieces of rag. 



With all the others, save a few that require excep- 

 tional manipulation which will be referred to hereafter 

 under their respective descriptions, the modus operandi 

 is somewhat in this wise : — The specimen should be first 

 rinsed and thoroughly cleaned in a basin of water, spe- 

 cially provided for that purpose. It should then, if too 

 large or too thick to be laid out entire, be reduced by 



