CAR RAGEEN, often incorrectly called C. moss, or limn Moss, a sea-weed (nat ural order, algce; sub-order, ceranziacem), or rather several species of sea-weed, now used to a considerable extent both medicinally and as an article of food. The name C. is originally Irish; and the use of these sea-weeds appears to have been entirely confined to the peasantry of the coasts of Ireland, until, about 30 years since, they were recommended to general notice, and their medicinal virtues proclaimed by Mr. Todhunter, of Dublin. They are, however, found on the rocky sea-shores of most parts of Europe, and of the eastern shores of North America. The species which principally constitutes the C. of commerce is cliondrue criapva, of which the varie ties are remarkably numerous. It is 2 to 12 in. long, branched by repeated forking, cartilaginous, flexible, reddish-brown. C. manzillonis also frequently occurs. C., after being collected, is washed, bleached by exposure to the sun, dried, and packed up for the market. Its composition is as follows: Vegetable jelly (carrageenin) 70.1 Mucus. 9.5 Two resins 0.7 Ash 2.0 Fiber and water 8.7
100.0 When treated for ten minutes with cold water, in the proportion of half an ounce of C. to three pints of water, and then boiled and strained, it yields, with or without spices, a very pleasant drink. With a larger proportion of C., a thickish liquid or mucilage is obtained; and on boiling down this decoction, and cooling, a stiff jelly is procured. Milk may be employed, instead of water, in the preparation of the various decoctions; and with the stronger one, along with sugar and spices, when thrown into a mold, a kind of blame mange is obtained. C. is valued on account of its emollient and demul cent properties, and is likely to be found useful in most of those cases in which iodine might be exhibited; but its value seems to depend not a little on its being at once nutri tious, a pleasant article of food, and easy of digestion. See GELATINE. It has been much recommended in pulmonary consumption. In some parts of Ireland, C. boiled with water (mucilage) is used instead of size for mixing with the more common colors in house-painting.