Gracilaria lichenoides—known in this country as Ceylon moss—is an article of some importance in ts native countries, being much used both for making a nutritious jelly, and as a size and varnish. The edible birds’ nests, of which the Chinese make their highly-prized birds’-nest soup, are said to be, in a great measure, constructed of this or some similar species. To these we may add Porphyra vulgaris, the purple laver, which, notwithstanding its close resemblance to the ulvæ, is now classed among the Rhodosperms, with which it agrees in the possession of tetraspores and antheridia. The nutritious properties of these seaweeds are chiefly due to the presence in all of them of a substance named gelose. According to M. Payen, a French chemist, to whom we owe the discovery of this nutritious principle, one part of pure gelose dissolved in five hundred parts of boiling water will afford ten times as much jelly as the same weight of the best animal gelatine. In addition to gelose, most of the edible seaweeds contain more or less starch, mannite, and albumen. There seems, however, to be little chance of the use of seaweeds as an article of food ever becoming common, even on the sea-coast. To the majority of palates they have all an unpleasant marine flavour, and though this might doubtless be removed or disguised by the art of the cook, in spite of the prize which, a few years ago, was offered for an essay on the best methods of preparing these plants for food, the Soyer of the seaweeds has yet to arise. Very savoury compounds may, with care, be prepared from Irish moss, but the prolonged boiling which it, in common with most edible seaweeds, requires, is a considerable objection to its general use.
But, setting aside their esculent qualities, the red seaweeds are by no means useless plants. They all form a valuable manure, and may be used as food for cattle when other pasture is scarce. One species is converted by the Chinese into a vegetable glue, which is sold in Canton at a price of sixpence per pound. It is this cement which is used in the manufacture of the well-known Chinese lanterns. From Chondrus crispus bandoline is made, and a similar plant is employed by the Chinese ladies to give a glossiness to their hair. Several species have been employed as medicines, and though their virtues seem to have been much overrated, we may at least say of them, that they are free from vice, since the whole class of the seaweeds does not, so far as we know, include a single poisonous plant.
C. C.
RATHLIN ISLAND.
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CHAPTER I.
