THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
843 
out of endoclirome, consisting of a simple nucleus clothed by 
its proper cellular membrane (epispore), and discharged by 
the opening of a transparent mother-cell {perispore). 
The fructification of the Fuel will be found to be variously 
situated on differently formed fronds, and though some of the 
species are many yards long and rounded like a whip-handle, 
and divided into thong-like processes, and called sea-whips; 
while others are so small and delicate, both in form and 
colour, as to invite the attention of the most indifferent visitor 
at the sea-side; yet the nature of a sea-weed” is so well 
understood, that a farther description would here he useless.*" 
Turn we, then, to an account of the general properties of 
the tribe. Some species, especially of Chondrus, have been 
used as medicine, and even as food, for both of which pur¬ 
poses it is collected in large quantities, particularly on the 
west coast of Ireland ; it has hence obtained the name of 
carrageen, Irish, or pearl-moss, though it is found more or 
less on most sea-coasts, both of Ireland and England. Hooker 
describes four species, while Mr. D. Turner enumerates no 
less than nine varieties of the common and more generally 
used species Chondrus crispus, or curled Chondrus. 
In order that the nature of its properties may be the 
better understood we quote the following analysis of its 
composition; 
1st. By Herbenger. 
Vegetable Jelly (Carrageenin) . . . 79T 
Mucus . . . . . .9*5 
Two Besins . . . . . .0*7 
Fatty Matter and Free Acids .... traces. 
Chlorides of Sodium and Magnesium . . . 2'0 
Fibre, Water, and loss . . . .87 
100-0 
No traces of iodine or bromine could be recognised, in which 
matters this analysis differs from the following: 
2nd. By Feuchtwanger. 
T ,1 C Pectin (Carrageenin), a large portion. 
Starch. 
Oxalate of Lime. 
Compounds of Sulphur, Chlorine, and Bromine. 
No Fungic, Boletic, or Lichenic Acids. 
These variations in the chemical composition of carrageen 
moss are highly interesting; and as they prevail in other 
species of sea-weeds to a like extent, we quote the following 
ash analysis of Fucus vesietdosus in illustration of what is to 
follow: 
