SEA-Nettle. See ANIMAL-Flower.

SEA-Pie, or Oyster-Catcher. See Hæmatopus, Ornithology Index.

SEA-Plants, are those vegetables that grow in salt-water within the shores of the sea. The old botanists divided divided these into three classes. 1. The first class, according to their arrangement, contained the algae, the fuci, the sea-mosses, or confervae, and the different species of sponges. 2. The second contained substances of a hard texture, like stone or horn, which seem to have been of the same nature with what we call zoophyta, with this difference, that we refer sponges to this class and not to the first. The third class is the same with our lithophyta, comprehending corals, madrepora, &c. It is now well known that the genera belonging to the second and third of these classes, and even some referred to the first, are not vegetables, but animals, or the productions of animals. See Corallina, Madrepora, Spongia. Sea-plants, then, properly speaking, belong to the class of cryptogamia, and the order of algae; and, according to Boman, are all comprehended under the genus of fucus. We may also add several species of the ulva and conferva and the fargazo. The fuci and marine ulvae are immersed in the sea, are sessile, and without root. The marine confervae are either sessile or floating. The fargazo grows beyond foundings.

As some species of the fucus, when dried and preserved, are extremely beautiful, the curious, and especially those who prosecute the study of botany, must be anxious to know the best method of preserving them, without destroying their colour and beauty. The following method is recommended by M. Mauduyt. Take a sheet of paper, or rather of pasteboard, and cover it with varnish on both sides; and having rowed in a boat to the rock where the fucus abounds, plunge your varnished paper into the water, and, detaching the fucus, receive it upon the paper. Agitate the paper gently in the water, that the plants may be properly spread over it; and lift them up together softly out of the water: then fix down with pins the strong stalks, that they may not be displaced, and leave the plant lying upon the varnished paper to dry in the open air. When it is fully dry, the different parts will retain their position, and the plant may be preserved within the leaves of a book. To free it from the slime and salt which adhere to it, wash it gently in fresh water, after being removed from the rock on which it grew.

SEA-Serpent, a monstrous creature, said to inhabit the northern seas about Greenland and the coasts of Norway. The following marvellous account of this monster is given by Guthrie. "In 1756, one of them was shot by a matter of a ship: its head resembled that of a horse; the mouth was large and black, as were the eyes, a white mane hanging from its neck: it floated on the surface of the water, and held its head at least two feet out of the sea: between the head and neck were seven or eight folds, which were very thick; and the length of this snake was more than 100 yards, some say fathoms. They have a remarkable aversion to the smell of castor; for which reason, ship, boat, and bark masters provide themselves with quantities of that drug, to prevent being overtaken, the serpent's olfactory nerves being remarkably exquisite. The particularities related of this animal would be incredible, were they not attested upon oath. Egede, a very reputable author, says, that on the 6th day of July 1734, a large and frightful sea-monster raised itself so high out of the water, that its head reached above the main-top-mast of the ship; that it had a long sharp snout, broad paws, and spouted water like a whale; that the body seemed to be covered with scales; the skin was uneven and wrinkled, and the lower part was formed like a snake. The body of this monster is said to be as thick as a hog's head; his skin is variegated like a tortoise shell; and his excrement, which floats upon the surface of the water, is corrosive." Notwithstanding the belief of Guthrie, and the testimony which he produces, we cannot help doubting of the existence of the sea-serpent. Its bulk is said to be so disproportionate to all the known animals of our globe, that it requires more than ordinary evidence to render it credible: but the evidence which is offered is so very feeble and unsatisfactory, that no man of sound judgement would think it sufficient to establish the truth of an extraordinary fact.

Attempts have lately been made to revive the opinion of the existence of mermaids and sea-serpents. An individual of the latter, it is supposed, was some time ago thrown on shore in Orkney. Part of the skeleton is said to be in the museum of the University of Edinburgh, and another part is in the possession of Mr Home of London, who thinks that it may have belonged to an individual of some of the whale tribe, perhaps a monster of that tribe; but according to others it is to be considered as constituting a distinct genus. We cannot avoid observing, that this point must remain unsettled till other species of this new genus have been discovered, or at least till an entire individual have been described by an experienced naturalist.

SEA-Sickness, a disorder incident to most persons on their first going to sea, occasioned by the agitation of the vessel. This disorder has not been much treated of, although it is very irksome and distressing to the patient during its continuance. It has, however, been found beneficial in asthmatic and pulmonary complaints, and the instances in which it has proved fatal, are extremely rare. The sea sickness appears to be a spasmodic affection of the stomach, occasioned by the alternate pressure and recess of its contents against its lower internal surface, according as the rise and fall of the ship oppose the action of gravity.

The seas in which the attacks of this disorder are accompanied with the greatest violence, are those where the waves have an uninterrupted freedom of action; and of consequence bays, gulfs and channels, may be navigated with less inconvenience, as the waves, meeting with more frequent resistance, the vessel does not experience that gentle uniform oscillation which induces sickness, and renders the head giddy. A person feels less inconvenience from the disorder in a small vessel on the wide ocean, on which the slightest motion of the waves makes a strong impression. He is also less exposed to it in a very large vessel deeply laden, as the waves, in this case, scarcely affect the vessel. It is in ships of an ordinary size, and which carry but a light cargo, that the passenger suffers most from the sea sickness. The sooner it takes place after embarkation, the continuance of it becomes the more probable. It does not always cease immediately on landing, but in some cases continues for a considerable time.

Many methods of preventing, or at least of mitigating this disorder, have been recommended, of which the most efficacious appear to be the following.

1. Not to go on board immediately after eating, and not to eat, when on board, any large quantity at a time. 2. To take much exercise, with as little intermission as possible; as indolent passengers are always the greatest sufferers from the disorder.

3. To keep much upon deck, even when the weather is stormy, as the sea breeze is not so apt to affect the stomach as the impure air of the cabin, rendered so for want of proper circulation.

4. Not to watch the motion of the waves, particularly when strongly agitated with tempest.

5. Carefully to thun all employments by which the mind may be harassed, as reading, studying, gaming, &c. and to seek all opportunities of mental relaxation.

6. To drink occasionally liquids containing carbonic acid, as the froth of beer strongly fermented, or wine and Seltzer water mixed together, and sweetened with pounded sugar.

7. It will also be beneficial to take sulphuric acid dulcified, dropped on a bit of sugar, or in peppermint water, or ten drops of ether.

The proper diet consists of bread and fresh meat, to be eaten cold with pepper. All sweet favoured food should be carefully avoided, and the passenger ought to refrain from fat, and particularly from such meat as is in the smallest degree tainted. Even the smell of flowers is injurious, for which reason marine productions ought not to be examined; but the fumes of vinegar may be advantageously inhaled. The drink should consist of lemonade or tart wines, but never of common water. An accidental diarrhoea has often relieved the patient from sea-ficknels, and therefore a gentle laxative in such a disorder seems to be indicated. It will also be found useful to apply a tonic anodyne plaster to the pit of the stomach, spread upon leather, and covered with linen.

When symptoms of vomiting appear, they may often be remedied by the patient placing himself in a horizontal position on his back or belly, and lying perfectly still. If the fits of vomiting are too violent to be repressed, they should be promoted by a strong dose of salt water; not, however, to be often repeated, as it debilitates the stomach. When the emetic operates, the patient should bend his body, bringing his knees towards his breast, and supporting his head against a firm resting-place. His garters and cravat must be untied, a precaution which will secure him from the danger of a rupture.

The vomiting having subsided, a state of repose will prevent its return, and the eyes may be kept shut for a considerable time. The patient must make choice of a cool, ventilated place, remembering to keep himself warm and well clothed, as perspiration is highly beneficial. A gargle of sugar dissolved in vinegar is to be taken in the morning, accompanied with frequent and spare eating. Water must never be taken in its pure state, but mixed with wine, vinegar, or brandy. A glass of wine may be taken in the morning, with an infusion of orange peel, gentian root, or peruvian bark. A glass of punch occasionally taken will be extremely beneficial, by which perspiration is promoted.

Persons accustomed to smoke tobacco, will find the use of the pipe salutary on such occasions, but the practice of smoking will be injurious to all others. We may add that warm clothing, flannel shirts, caps, trowsers, &c. are powerful remedies against excessive expectoration, with every other symptom of this dreadful malady.

SEA-Star. See ASTERIAS, HELMINTHOLOGY IN- SEA-Urchin. See ECHINUS, dex.