MABINE BOTANY. 121 



have used it for food during a lengthened period, and it has 

 also been introduced into the pharmacopoeia in the last 

 twenty years under the name of Carrageen Moss. Similar 

 nourishing jellies, which can also be employed as glue, are 

 obtained from several exotic weeds, among others from the 



CORALLINA OFFICINALIS. 



Oraoilaria spinosa of the Indian Ocean, which the Salan- 

 gane (Hirundo esculenta) is said to employ principally in the 

 construction of its edible nest. 



The steeply sheving walls of the south coast of Java are 

 covered with luxuriant undergrowth to the extreme verge 

 of land : even Pandanuses take root on the steep walls them- 

 selves, and look down by thousands into the surging sea' 

 below. 



In course of incalculable years, the surf has worked deep 

 bays and cavities in the calcareous rock: and in them 

 the Salangane builds its nest. Where the sea rages most, 

 flocks of them will be seen hovering. They fly purposely 

 through the thickest foam, and seek their food in the seeth • 

 ing surf. From a projecting peak, the orifice of the cavity, 

 Gua Rongkop may be seen, at one moment entirely beneath 

 the waves, and then peering out again, and the swallows 



