16 154 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



Seaweed as Manure. Journ. Dept. Agr. and Tech. Inst, for Ireland, xvi, 

 pp. 84-87. (October, 1911.) Also as Leaflet No. 99. 



Sewage Commission Reports. The manurial value of Ulva and the 

 significance of its nitrogen-content are dealt with in the reports referred to 

 on p. 108. 



Foodstuffs. 



Three algae are collected for edible purposes in the Survey-area; but they 

 are taken as relishes rather than as articles of food. During times of 

 scarcity, however, Dillisk and Sloke form a useful addition to the daily menu. 

 In Clare Island the only alga which is regularly sold as a commercial article 

 is Carrageen Moss. 



Dillisk and Crannogh. — The Irish Dillisk or Scotch Dulse is the common 

 Rhodymenia palmata, the fronds of which are chewed in a fresh state or after 

 having been dried. Crannogh is the small form of the same species found as a 

 dense short growth on rocks in exposed places (p. 32). The flavour is peculiar 

 somewhat pungent, but not unpleasant. On Clare Island, Dillisk and Crannogh 

 are esteemed more highly than Sloke, probably owing to their being less 

 abundant. On Achill Island, on the other hand, Crannogh is said to be the 

 most plentiful. 



Sloke (Slouk, Sloukaen, or Sloukaum). — Sloke, the Laver of the English, is 

 the short crumpled form of Porphyra umbilicalis, which grows abundantly on 

 exposed rocks (p. 28). The large flat form is not usually employed, except at 

 Mulranny, where it is said to be collected and sold to tourists. Sloke is 

 gathered in spring, and either stewed at once, or boiled into a jelly, and set 

 aside for future use. "When required, this jelly or " laver bread " is re-cooked, 

 and then fried with butter. Used on Clare Island and on many parts of the 

 mainland. 



Carrageen or Iceland Moss. — The true Carrageen is Chondrus crispus, but 

 certain forms of the allied plant Gigartina mamiUosa are often included with 

 it. Both are common on rocky shores ; but they do not occur in such masses 

 as either Dillisk or Sloke. It is still exported from several districts in Ireland, 

 and is sold in at least two localities in our area. On Clare Island it is 

 collected and sold to Dublin, and from thence to Liverpool, where it is 

 said to be chiefly used for fattening calves. On the small island of Inish- 

 biggle, four miles north of Achill Bridge, Mr. J. Tydd Frere has successfully 

 encouraged the collecting of the weed by the peasants. The "Moss" is 

 mainly bought by a Dublin agent, but smaller quantities are also sold to 

 private persons in England and the colonies. As observed at Inishbiggle 

 the weed is left to bleach on the grass, after which it is dried and stowed 

 away in sacks. For culinary purposes it is boiled down to a jelly, and then 



