even if they failed to reach it, a sudden would be better than a lingering death, — in this extremity one of 
these despairing creatures to hold himself more firmly to the rock, grasped a weed, which even wet as it 
was, he well knew, as the lightning’s sudden flash afforded a momentary glare, was not a fucus, but a root 
of samphire ; samphire is a plant which never grows submerged. This then became more than an olive 
branch of peace, a messenger of mercy ; they knew that He who alone can calm the raging of the seas, at 
whose voice alone the winds and the waves are still, had placed his landmark, had planted his standard 
here ; and by this sign they were assured that He had said to the wild waste of waters, “ Hither shalt thou 
come, and no further.” Trusting, then, to the promise of this child of earth, they remained stationary 
during a dreadful yet then comparatively happy night, and in the morning they were seen from the cliffs 
above, and conveyed in safety to the shore. From a lecture by the late Professor Burnett. 
The very existence of a kingdom depends on sea-reeds, sedges, and kindred plants. These form the 
defence of the dykes of Holland, and prevent not only the invasion of the sea, but the advance of the drift 
sand on the fertile soil. When in a solitary walk, by the sea side, we have heard in a still night, the senti- 
nel from the rampart, repeat the watch word, “ All’s well,” we have turned instinctively to the f sea mat 
weed’ on the shore, mantling the beach; the sentinel of providence, that forbids the approach of the waves. 
To the intelligent mind, the kingdom of vegetation presents remarkable illustrations of a supreme creator : — 
“Not a tree, 
A plant, a blossom, but contains 
A folio volume. We may read, and read, 
And read again ; but still find something new, 
Something to please, and something to instruct, 
E’en in the noisome weed.” 
The Philosopher who was cast away on an island, on seeing geometrical figures on the sand, exclaimed 
< inhabitants are here ;’ in like manner, when we survey the physiology of plants, do we receive demon- 
strable proofs of their infinitely wise Author : — 
Maximus in maximis, maximus in minimis. 
Whether we survey vegetable grandeur in mass or in detail; or in the humblest moss that springeth out 
of the wall, studies such as these have a tendency to soften and to soothe the mind. It is then no 
light enjoyment — 
‘ To consider the lilies of the field how they grow 
Is it not a privilege to walk with God in the garden of creation, and hold converse with his providence? 
Gerarde says that “Ho eke Sampier hath many fat and thicke leaves somewhat like those of the lesser 
Purslane, of a spicie taste, with a certain saltnesse; amongst which rises up a stalk diuided into many smal 
spraies or sprigs, on the top whereof grow spoky tufts of white flowers, like the tufts of Fennell or Dill; 
after that comes the seed, like the seed of Fennell, but greater : the root is thicke and knobby, beeing of 
smell delightfull and pleasant. The second Samphier called Pastinaca marina, or sea Parsnep, hath long 
fat leaves very much jagged or cut euen to the middle rib, sharp or prickely pointed, which are set upon 
large fat jointed stalks; or on the top whereof do grow' tufts of whitish or else reddish floures. The seed is 
wrepped in thorny husks : the root is thicke and long, not unlike to the Parsenep, very good and wholesome 
to be eaten.” 
To Pickle Samphire. Put the quantity required into a clean pan, throw over it two or three handfuls 
ef salt and cover it with spring water for twenty four hours ; next put it into a clean saucepan, throw in a 
handful of salt, and cover it with good vinegar. Close the pan tight, set it over a slow fire, and let it stand 
till the Samphire is green and crisp, then take it off instantly, for should it remain till it is soft, it will be 
totally spoiled. Put it into the pickling pots and cover it close; when it is quite cold tie it down with a bladder 
and leather, and set it by for use. Samphire may be preserved all the year by keeping it in a very strong 
brine of salt and water, and just before using it, put it for a few minutes into some of the best vinegar. 
Samphire is propagated by parting the roots, or by sowing the seeds in April ; but it is rather diffi- 
cult of cultivation. Marshall says, “it likes a cool situation^ but yet prefers a sandy or a gravelly soil, and 
plenty of water. “Some” he adds, “ I have found do best in pots, set for the morning sun only. J. Brad- 
dick placed it in a sheltered dry situation, screened from the morning sun, protected it by litter during 
winter, and in spring sprinkled the soil with a little powdered barilla. This I do, he says, “to furnish the 
plant with a supply of soda, since, in its native place of growth, it possesses the power of decomposing sea 
water from which it takes the fossil alkali, and rejects the muriatic acid. With this treatment it has con- 
tinued to flourish at Thames Ditton for some years, producing an ample supply of shoots, which are cut 
twice in the season, for pickling or to be used in salads.” 
