IS COMMON SEAWEEDS. 



colour. To do so I must pray my readers to rest a- 

 while at high, tide, and, whilst the first rock-pools 

 uncover, let me tell them somewhat of the history and 

 structure of seaweeds. 



It is childish merely to lay out the pretty bits on 

 paper for an album, and be content with dabbling in 

 the water, as ignorant as a sea-gull of the wondrous 

 and beautiful forms around us. In fact, even as 

 collectors for albums, it is needful to know that the 

 value of your specimens will depend very much on 

 their beiDg in fruit ; and to discern the fruit we must 

 know where to look for it. The form and position 

 are so various as quite to need explanation; also a 

 pocket lens. 



There are certain requirements for seaweeding and 

 mounting with success that I had better mention at 

 once. "We want some blotting paper and some muslin 

 — old book muslin will do very well — and some good 

 strong white paper, cut into squares of various sizes 

 from three inches to six inches square ; we want a 

 couple of deal boards two feet long and a foot wide, 

 with a double strap such as we use for a rolled rail- 

 way wrapper, which makes an inexpensive and handy 

 press for the seaweeds in drying. 



If you mount a few coarse needles on bits of stick, 

 or the handles of paint brushes, or even on common 

 lucifer matches, they will be extremely useful in lay- 

 ing out the weed. 



A pocket lens, which may be purchased at any 

 optician's for two shillings, will enable you not only to 

 discern the fruit upon your seaweeds, but many other 

 interesting things, which we shall notice hereafter. 



