330 The Commercial Products of the Sea. 



lected in the seas of the different provinces of Japan. It is 

 dried after having been first well washed in fresh water. 

 When it is to be eaten, the dry seaweed is plunged in 

 boiling water and dissolved. The liquid is then filtered, 

 to separate any foreign matters, and left to cool. It solidi- 

 fies, and is then easily cut up into pieces at will. It is 

 eaten generally in hot weather. 



There is another mode of preparation, which consists in 

 exposing the jelly to the intense frost of a winter's night. 

 It congeals and hardens, and then bears the name of 

 " kanten,'' and may be kept till the following summer. It 

 is employed for making pastry, and cooks use it for pre- 

 paring certain dishes. Besides its alimentary uses, this 

 seaweed serves to make paper and many other things. 



Hondawara {^Halochloa macranthd) is found on the sea- 

 coasts of many provinces. It is salted and eaten with 

 vinegar. 



Tosaka-nori (Kallimenia dentatd) takes its popular 

 name, Tosaka, from its resemblance to a cock's comb. 

 It is found principally in the seas to the south and east of 

 Japan. 



Fuiiori {Glacopeltix intrictd) is found on the coasts of 

 many provinces. It is found in commerce in the dry state. 

 When boiled and made into size, weavers use it to stiffen 

 their thread. In ceramic work it is also employed for 

 painting on porcelain ; it has also many other uses. That 

 which comes from the island of Hachijo and the province 

 of Satsuma is considered the best. 



Another larger marine plant, called tsunomata {Gimno- 

 gongrus pinnatatiis), serves for the same uses. 



Som^n-nori {Neinalion vermicularia) is collected in the 

 interior sea of Shitoku ; it is eaten salted, but can be dried 

 in the ashes so as to keep it. 



