48 THE OCEAN. 
divided into numerous irregular strips; it is emlowed 
with the power of renewing its frond if the latter 
be accidentally destroyed. Mr. Johns observes,* 
that of all the various kinds of sea-weeds thrown 
on shore during a storm, Tangles are the most abun- 
dart: a.fact which he explains by the ravages of 
a species of limpet (Patella levis) upon their stems 
and rootlets. When cooked, the young stalks are 
said to be not unpleasant, and they are boiled and 
given to cattle. But, as we are informed by Mr. 
Neill, “in Scotland the stems are sometimes put to 
rather an unexpected use, the making of knife- 
handles. <A pretty thick stem is selected, and cut 
into pieces about four incheslong. Into these, while 
fresh, are stuck blades of knives, such as gardeners 
use for pruning and grafting. As the stem dries, it 
contracts and hardens, closely and firmly embracing 
the hilt of the blade. In the course of some months 
the handles become quite firm, and very hard and 
shrivelled, so that when tipped with metal they are 
hardly to be distinguished from hartshorn.” 
Much resembling this species, but immensely 
larger, is the plant which has received the name 
of Sea-furbelows (ZL. bulbosa). A single specimen, 
fresh from the sea, is a heavy load for a man’s 
shoulder: and one which was measured by Mrs. 
Griffiths, when spread out, covered a circular space 
of twelve feet in diameter. The great weight of the 
frond in this species requires extraordinary support 
against the force of the waves, which else, having 
so strong a purchase, would soon overturn it. To 
* Botanical Rambles, p. 286. 
