SELA - W EED _C(;)LLI-:CTIN G. 417 



masses, might be taken for mussels. The people call it 

 "Orrechio di IVlare", sea car. 



When sta^-ing by the iMediterranean it is instructive 

 to make a small collection of Algae. This provides an 

 attractive object for walks and excursions on the sea 

 shore. These new plants cultivate our sense of form and 

 enlarge our preconceived ideas of \'egetable structure. 

 When the sea is calm we can cut the Algae off the rocks 

 ^\'ith the sharpened edge of a wide-meshed nickelled 

 sieve, fastened obliqueh' to a stick, ^^'e bring them 

 home in a glass jar and place tliem in a bowl of sea- 

 water. Fresh water must not be used as it injures the 

 Algae. We then place each specimen in a very tkit dish, 

 like those used to de\'elo]") photographs. The sea-\A-ater 

 in this must be perfccth" clean. Wc must not take too 

 large a spray, otheru'ise the fronds u'ill overlap. A sheet 

 of \\-hite paper .sliould then be slipped under, and the 

 Alga carefulh' spread out on it, taking care to preser\-e 

 its natural appearance. Paper and Alga arc then taken 

 out of tlie water. The Alga must now be dried with 

 blotting paper, and, to prevent it sticking to this latter, 

 it is necessary to cover the Alga with a piece of calico, 

 or better still, a bit of gauze. The blotting paper must 

 be fretiuenth' changed, for the plant will lose its colon 

 unless dried rapidly. The drying must take place under 

 considerable pressure, therefore the blotting paper must be 

 put between two boards and weiglited with a large stone. 

 In dr^'ing, salt will cr^-stalise on the Alga and the paper. 

 This salt must be removed, otherwise it will constantly 

 absorb moisture from the atmosphere. To get rid of the 



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