AKAROE. 
3 7 
this island, which were covered at high water by 
the sea, Fucus palmatus of Linnceus , called by 
the natives Sol *, was growing in considerable 
quantity. As an esculent Fucus , this species 
seems to be preferred to all others, at least in 
northern countries. On the Scotch coasts, it is 
eaten raw by the natives, and, in the county 
of Caithness in particular, I have seen a number 
of women and children gathering it from the 
rocks, and making a meal of it, devouring it 
with avidity. In Iceland, also, it is very com¬ 
monly eaten, but seldom in a fresh state. It is 
generally well washed in clean water, and ex¬ 
posed upon the rocks, or on. the ground, to dry, 
when it gives out a whitish powdery substance, 
which covers the whole plant, and is sweet and 
agreeable to the palate. It is then packed down 
in casks, to keep it from the air, and is preserved 
in this state, ready to be eaten, either raw with 
fish and butter, or boiled down in milk to a 
thick consistency, as is more common with 
people of property, who mix with it, if it can 
be afforded, a little flour of rye. This species 
* According to Povelsen and Olafsen, Sol is a consider¬ 
able article of trade with the inhabitants of the town of 
Oreback, who receive in exchange for it butter, meat, 
cattle, and wool. A Voet (about eighty pounds weight) of 
this Fucus, when dried, sells there for seventy fish, at two 
skillings a fish, or five shillings and tenpence English. 
