COCHINCHINA, 313 
among the most nutritious of all aliments ; and on tliis prin- 
ciple various kinds of Algce or sea-weeds, particularly those 
genera which are known by the names of Faci and UIvce, are 
included in the list of their edible plants. 
In the populous islands of Japan the natives of the sea-coasts 
derive part of their sustenance from various kinds of sea-weeds, 
and from none more than that species of Fncus v»diich is called 
Sacchariniis. It would appear from Mr. Thunberg's account 
x)f its leaves being used to ornament and embellish packages 
of fruit or other presents offered to strangers, that this plant 
is there in high estimation, being considered perhaps as the 
representative of those resources of sustenance which the sea so 
amply supplies to such nations as from choice or necessity may 
be led to avail themselves of its various productions. The 
Chin-chou jelly of China may probablj-^ be made, in part, of 
the Fucus Sacchariniis ; for it would appear, from samples 
brought to England, that the leaves from which this jelly is 
made are taken from three or four distinct species of this ex- 
tensive genus. There is reason indeed to believe that most 
of the species both of the Fuci and the UhiE might be em- 
ployed for similar purposes. From the shores of Robben 
island, at the Cape of Good Hope, the slaves are accustomed 
to bring away baskets of a species of Fucus, whose leaves are 
sword-shaped, serrated, and about six inches long. These leaves 
being first washed clean and sufficiently dried to resist putre- 
faction are then steeped in fresh water for five or six days, chang- 
ing it every morning ; after which if boiled for a few hours in a 
little water they become a clear transparent jelly which, being 
mixed with a little sugar and the juice of a lemon or orange, 
s s 
