KELLY, MICHAEL (1762-1826), British actor, singer and composer, was the son of a Dublin wine-merchant and dancing master. He studied in Italy, and for four years from 1783 was en gaged to sing at the Court Theatre at Vienna, where he became a friend of Mozart. In 1786 he sang in the first performance of the Nozze di Figaro. Appearing in London, at Drury Lane in 1787, he had a great success, and thenceforth was the principal English tenor at that theatre. In 1793 he became acting-manager of the King's Theatre. He wrote a number of songs (including "The Woodpecker"), and the music for many dramatic pieces. In 1826 he published his entertaining Reminiscences, in writing which he was helped by Theodore Hook. He combined his professional work with conducting a music-shop and a wine-shop, but with dis astrous financial results. He died at Margate on Oct. 9, 1826.
wrack (Fucus nodosus), black wrack (F. serratus) and blad der wrack (F. vesiculosus). The Laminarias yield what is termed "drift-weed kelp," obtainable only when cast up on the coasts by storms or other causes. The species of Fucus growing within the tidal range are cut from the rocks at low water, and are therefore known as "cut-weeds." The weeds are first dried in the sun and are then collected into shallow pits and burned till they form a fused mass, which, while still hot, is sprinkled with water to break it up into convenient pieces. A ton of kelp is obtained from 20 to 22 tons of wet seaweed. The average composition may vary as f ollows: Potassium sulphate, To to 12%; potassium chloride, 20 to sodium carbonate, 5%; other sodium and magnesium salts, 15 to 20% ; and insoluble ash from 4o to 50%. The iodine content of different samples of kelp may vary from to 6%. (See IODINE.) The kelp beds off the Pacific coast of the United States have been the object of experiment by the Federal government and private enterprise owning several small plants.