42 



COLLECTING SEA-WEEDS. 



{Rhodymenia palmata)^ which is eaten by the poor 

 of our northern shores as a luxury. 



This is a showy plant, very beautiful when its 

 tufts of large deep-red fronds are seen in the sea, 

 where the perpetual wash of the waves keeps their 

 surface clean and glossy, but not very suitable for 

 an Aquarium. Its leaves soon decay ; spots of 

 orange-colour begin speedily to appear, which in- 

 crease fast, and, uniting into large patches, slough 

 off in slimy shreds. The appearance of an orange- 

 colour, on crimson or purple weeds, is always a 

 sign of the death of that part, and is the infallible 

 precursor of decay. As soon as it appears, or at 

 least if it begins to increase, the specimen should 

 be ejected without mercy ; as the diffusion of the 

 gases from decaying vegetable matter is speedily 

 fatal to most animals. 



In deep pools, and narrow clefts near the verge 

 of lowest water, where the overshadowing rock ex- 

 cludes the sun's rays and imparts a genial obscu- 

 rity, grow several of our most delicate and beautiful 

 AlgcB. Foremost among them is the Oak-leaved 

 Delesseria (D. sangumea), with tufts of crimson 

 leaves, exquisitely thin, much puckered at the edge, 

 and strongly nerved. The Iridceaj whose leaves are 

 smooth and leathery, and of a dark brownish scarlet, 

 is often the companion of the former. Here, too, 

 we find the PJiyllophora^ another weed of brilliant 

 red hue, with unnerved leaves much divided, giving 

 origin to other leaves, and these again to others. 

 It is usually much covered with the cells and 

 shrubs of various species of Polyzoa^ exquisitely 

 beautiful objects for the microscope. The Gelidmm 

 corneiim is another fine red weed, commonly of 

 small size and slender, but prettily fringed with 



