32 SEAWEEDS 
exclusion of barilla as an import from our markets 
during the long war. The price of kelp then rose so 
high that the income of the Outer Hebrides from 
this source alone was computed to have reached 
£120,000 a year. The industry practically came to 
an end with the peace and the reintroduction of 
barilla, while the removal of the salt duty struck a 
further blow at the revenue of these districts. Kelp 
is now used only in the manufacture of iodine, and 
as a manure. The common sea-wrack or bladder- 
wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) has been used medicinally 
for a variety of diseases, but its reputation in this 
respect has been acquired principally as a remedy 
for obesity. Bentley and Trimen (Medicinal Plants, 
vol. iv. p. 304) state that “farther trials are neces- 
sary before any definite conclusions can be arrived at 
on its action, and its value as a remedy in obesity. 
It would appear that it is the essential constituent 
in the nostrum now so extensively advertised under 
the name of Anti-Fat.” Asa food, or rather as a 
sauce, the species of Porphyra known as Laver are 
not sufficiently appreciated. Laver is not only abun- 
dant, but is easily preserved. Carragheen, sometimes 
called Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus), is used for its 
nutritive properties, which however appear to have 
been over-valued. Dulse (Rhodymenia palmata) and 
tangles (Alaria esculenta) are eaten by the hardy, but 
are extremely indigestible. The Chinese and Japanese 
engage in an extensive industry in seaweed products, 
and certain species are cultivated. Ceylon Moss, or 
Jaffna Moss (Gracilaria lichenoides), a seaweed which 
abounds in Eastern seas, is the source of Agar-Agar, 
