56 SEA MOSSES. 



tide, growing attached to boulder r(3cks, a great 

 broad membrane, ten inches across, attached by a 

 single point near the middle of the frond; again it 

 will put forth a number of segments of such a 

 frond, attached by their sides to one point; again a 

 narrowish frond a foot long or more, attached by a short 

 stem at one end. But the purple or brownish color, 

 and the " sheeny " smooth, satin-like appearance of the 

 frond will always serve to identify it. It is much used 

 in Great Britain as an article of food for a relish 

 with roast meat. The Chinese use it for making 

 some sort of soup. The North Adams Colony im- 

 ported it by barrels from China at one time. It does 

 not adhere well to paper in drying, shrinking and 

 pulling away. But it is said, that if the cloth is not 

 removed from it at all tiU it has been under heavy 

 pressure for a considerable time, and is fully dry, it 

 adheres perfectly to the paper. It is an annual, and 

 may be found the season through. I have fine 

 specimens of it from California and from China, which 

 have a rich dark purple color. And I have it from 

 England as red as the "Dulse." But my plants from 

 the shores of Massachusetts Bay are of a very decided 

 brown. 



