forthereliesananimalasfoulandmonstroustotheeyeas\"hydra，gorgon，orchimaeradire，\"andyetsowondrouslyfittedtoitswork，thatwemustneedsendureforourowninstructiontohandleandtolookatit。Itsname，ifyouwishforit，isNemertes;probablyN。Borlasii;（18）awormofvery\"low\"
organization，thoughwellfittedenoughforitsownwork。Youseeit？Thatblack，shiny，knottedlumpamongthegravel，smallenoughtobetakenupinadessertspoon。Looknow，asitisraisedanditscoilsdrawnout。Threefeet—six—nine，atleast：withacapabilityofseeminglyendlessexpansion;aslimytapeoflivingcaoutchouc，someeighthofaninchindiameter，adarkchocolate—
black，withpalerlongitudinallines。Isitalive？Ithangs，helplessandmotionless，amerevelvetstringacrossthehand。AsktheneighbouringAnnelidsandthefryoftherockfishes，orputitintoavaseathome，andsee。Itliesmotionless，trailingitselfamongthegravel;youcannottellwhereitbeginsorends;itmaybeadeadstripofsea—weed，Himanthalialorea，perhaps，orChordafilum;orevenatarredstring。Sothinksthelittlefishwhoplaysoverandoverit，tillhetouchesatlastwhatistoosurelyahead。Inaninstantabell—shapedsuckermouthhasfastenedtohisside。Inanotherinstant，fromonelip，aconcavedoubleproboscis，justlikeatapir’s（anotherinstanceoftherepetitionofforms），hasclaspedhimlikeafinger;andnowbeginsthestruggle：butinvain。Heisbeing\"played\"withsuchafishing—
lineastheskillofaWilsonoraStoddartnevercouldinvent;alivingline，withelasticitybeyondthatofthemostdelicatefly—
rod，whichfollowseverylunge，shorteningandlengthening，slippingandtwiningroundeverypieceofgravelandstemofsea—
weed，withatiringdragsuchasnoHighlandwristorstepcouldeverbringtobearonsalmonorontrout。Thevictimistirednow;
andslowly，andyetdexterously，hisblindassailantisfeelingandshiftingalonghisside，tillhereachesoneendofhim;andthentheblacklipsexpand，andslowlyandsurelythecurvedfingerbeginspackinghimend—foremostdownintothegullet，wherehesinks，inchbyinch，tilltheswellingwhichmarkshisplaceislostamongthecoils，andheisprobablymaceratedtoapulplongbeforehehasreachedtheoppositeextremityofhiscaveofdoom。
Oncesafedown，theblackmurdererslowlycontractsagainintoaknottedheap，andlies，likeaboawithastaginsidehim，motionlessandblest。（19）
There;wemustcomeawaynow，forthetideisoverourankles;buttouch，beforeyougo，oneofthoselittleredmouthswhichpeepoutofthestone。Atinyjetofwatershootsupalmostintoyourface。
Thebivalve（20）whohasburrowedintothelimestoneknot（thesoftestpartofthestonetohisjaws，thoughthehardesttoyourchisel）isscandalizedathavingthesoftmouthsofhissiphonssorudelytouched，andtakingyourfingerforsomebotheringAnnelid，whowantstonibblehim，isdefendinghimself;shootingyou，asnaturalistsdohumming—birds，withwater。Lethimrestinpeace;
itwillcostyoutenminutes’hardwork，andmuchdirt，toextracthim;butifyouarefondofshells，secureoneortwoofthosebeautifulpinkandstraw—colouredscallops（Hinnitespusio，PlateX。fig。1），whohavegraduallyincorporatedthelayersoftheirlowervalvewiththeroughnessesofthestone，destroyingtherebythebeautifulformwhichbelongstotheirrace，butnottheirdelicatecolour。Thereareafewmorebivalvestoo，adheringtothestone，andthoserareones，andtwoorthreedelicateMangeliaeandNassae（21）aretrailingtheirgracefulspiresupanddowninsearchoffood。Thatlittlebrightredandyellowpea，too，touchit—thebrilliantcolouredcloakiswithdrawn，and，instead，youhaveabeautifulribbedpinkcowry，（22）ouronlyEuropeanrepresentativeofthatgrandtropicalfamily。Castonewonderingglance，too，attheforestofzoophytesandcorals，LepraliaeandFlustrae，andthosequaintbluestars，setinbrownjelly，whicharenozoophytes，butrespectablemolluscs，eachwithhiswell—
formedmouthandintestines，（23）butcombinedinapeculiarformofCommunism，ofwhichallonecansayis，thatonehopestheylikeit;andthat，atallevents，theyagreebetterthantheheroesandheroinesofMr。Hawthorne’s\"BlithedaleRomance。\"
Nowaway，andasaspecimenofthefertilityofthewater—world，lookatthisroughlistofspecies，（24）thegreaterpartofwhichareonthisverystone，andallofwhichyoumightobtaininanhour，wouldtherudetidewaitforzoologists：andrememberthatthenumberofindividualsofeachspeciesofpolypemustbecountedbytensofthousands;andalso，that，bysearchingtheforestofsea—weedswhichcoverstheuppersurface，weshouldprobablyobtainsometwentyminutespeciesmore。
Agoodlycataloguethis，surely，oftheinhabitantsofthreeorfourlargestones;andyethowsmallaspecimenofthemultitudinousnationsofthesea！
Fromthebarerocksabovehigh—watermark，downtoabyssesdeeperthaneverplummetsounded，islife，everywherelife;faunaafterfauna，andfloraafterflora，arrangedinzones，accordingtotheamountoflightandwarmthwhicheachspeciesrequires，andtotheamountofpressurewhichtheyareabletoendure。Thecrevicesofthehighestrocks，onlysprinkledwithsaltsprayinspring—tidesandhighgales，havetheirpeculiarlittleunivalves，theircrisplichen—likesea—weed，inmyriads;lowerdown，theregionoftheFuci（bladder—weeds）hasitsowntribesofperiwinklesandlimpets;
belowagain，abouttheneap—tidemark，theregionofthecorallinesandAlgaefurnishesfoodforyetotherspecieswhograzeonitswaterymeadows;andbeneathall，onlyuncoveredatlowspring—tide，thezoneoftheLaminariae（thegreattanglesandore—weeds）ismostfullofallofeveryimaginableformoflife。Sothataswedescendtherocks，wemaycompareourselves（likeningsmallthingstogreat）tothosewho，descendingtheAndes，passinasingledayfromthevegetationoftheArcticzonetothatoftheTropics。Andhereandthere，evenathalf—tidelevel，deeprock—basins，shadedfromthesunandalwaysfullofwater，keepupinahigherzonethevegetationofalowerone，andaffordinnatureananalogytothosedeep\"barrancos\"whichsplitthehightable—landofMexico，downwhoseawfulcliffs，sweptbycoolsea—breezes，thetravellerlooksfromamongtheplantsandanimalsofthetemperatezone，andseesfarbelow，dimthroughtheireverlastingvapour—bathofrankhotsteam，themightyformsandgorgeouscoloursofatropicforest。
\"Idonotwonder，\"saysMr。Gosse，inhischarming\"Naturalist’sRamblesontheDevonshireCoast\"（p。187），\"thatwhenSoutheyhadanopportunityofseeingsomeofthosebeautifulquietbasinshollowedinthelivingrock，andstockedwithelegantplantsandanimals，havingallthecharmofnoveltytohiseye，theyshouldhavemovedhispoeticfancy，andfoundmorethanoneplaceinthegorgeousimageryofhisOrientalromances。Justlistentohim\"Itwasagardenstillbeyondallprice，Evenyetitwasaplaceofparadise;
Andherewerecoralbowers，Andgrotsofmadrepores，Andbanksofsponge，assoftandfairtoeyeAse’erwasmossybedWhereonthewood—nymphslieWithlanguidlimbsinsummer’ssultryhours。
Here，too，werelivingflowers，Which，likeabudcompacted，Theirpurplecupscontracted;
Andnowinopenblossomspread，Stretch’d，likegreenanthers，manyaseekinghead。
Andarboretsofjointedstonewerethere，Andplantsoffibresfineassilkworm’sthread;
Yea，beautifulasmermaid’sgoldenhairUponthewavesdispread。
Othersthat，likethebroadbananagrowing，Raisedtheirlongwrinkledleavesofpurplehue，Likestreamerswideoutflowing。’—KEHAMA，xvi。5。
\"Ahundredtimesyoumightfancyyousawthetype，theveryoriginalofthisdescription，tracing，linebyline，andimagebyimage，thedetailsofthepicture;andacknowledging，asyouproceed，theminutetruthfulnesswithwhichithasbeendrawn。Forsuchisthelovelinessofnatureinthesesecludedreservoirs，thattheaccomplishedpoet，whendepictingthegorgeousscenesofEasternmythology—scenesthewildestandmostextravagantthatimaginationcouldpaint—drewnotupontheresourcesofhisprolificfancyforimageryhere，butwaswellcontenttojotdownthesimplelineamentsofNatureashesawherinplain，homelyEngland。
\"Itisabeautifulandfascinatingsightforthosewhohaveneverseenitbefore，toseethelittleshrubberiesofpinkcoralline—
’thearboretsofjointedstone’—thatfringethoseprettypools。
Itisacharmingsighttoseethecrimsonbanana—likeleavesoftheDelesseriawavingintheirdarkestcorners;andthepurplefibroustuftsofPolysiphoniaandCeramia，’fineassilkworm’sthread。’
Buttherearemanyotherswhichgivevarietyandimpartbeautytothesetide—pools。ThebroadleavesoftheUlva，finerthanthefinestcambric，andofthebrightestemerald—green，adornthehollowsatthehighestlevel，while，atthelowest，wavetinyforestsofthefeatheryPtilotaandDasya，andlargeleaves，cutintofringesandfurbelows，ofrosyRhodymeniae。Allthesearelovelytobehold;butIthinkIadmireasmuchasanyofthem，oneofthecommonestofourmarineplants，Chondruscrispus。Itoccursinthegreatestprofusiononthiscoast，ineverypoolbetweentide—marks;andeverywhere—exceptinthoseofthehighestlevel，whereconstantexposuretolightdwarfstheplant，andturnsitofadullumber—browntint—itiselegantinformandbrilliantincolour。Theexpandingfan—shapedfronds，cutintosegments，cut，andcutagain，makefinebushytuftsinadeeppool，andeverysegmentofeveryfrondreflectsaflushofthemostlustrousazure，likethatofatemperedsword—blade。\"—GOSSE’SDEVONSHIRECOAST，pp。187—189。
Andthesea—bottom，also，hasitszones，atdifferentdepths，anditspeculiarformsinpeculiarspots，affectedbythecurrentsandthenatureoftheground，therichesofwhichhavetobeseen，alas！ratherbytheimaginationthantheeye;forsuchspoonfulsofthetreasureasthedredgebringsuptous，cometoooftenrolledandbattered，tornfromtheirsitesandcontractedbyfear，merehintstousofwhatthepopulousrealitybelowislike。Often，standingontheshoreatlowtide，hasonelongedtowalkonandinunderthewaves，asthewater—ouseldoesinthepoolsofthemountainburn，andseeitallbutforamoment;andasolemnbeautyandmeaninghasinvestedtheoldGreekfableofGlaucusthefisherman：howeatingoftheherbwhichgavehisfishstrengthtoleapbackintotheirnativeelement，hewasseizedonthespotwithastrangelongingtofollowthemunderthewaves，andbecameforeveracompanionofthefairsemi—humanformswithwhichtheHellenicpoetspeopledtheirsunnybaysandfirths，feeding\"silentflocks\"farbelowonthegreenZosterabeds，orbaskingwiththemonthesunnyledgesinthesummernoon，orwanderinginthestillbaysonsultrynightsamidthechoirofAmphitriteandhersea—
nymphs：—
\"Joiningtheblissofthegods，astheywakenthecoveswiththeirlaughter，\"
innightlyrevels，whereofonehassung，—
\"Sotheycameupintheirjoy;andbeforethemtherollofthesurgesSank，asthebreezessankdead，intosmoothgreenfoam—fleckedmarbleAwed;andthecragsofthecliffs，andthepinesofthemountains，weresilent。
Sotheycameupintheirjoy，andaroundthemthelampsofthesea—
nymphs，Myriadfieryglobes，swamheavingandpanting，andrainbows，Crimson，andazure，andemerald，werebrokeninstar—showers，lighting，Farinthewine—darkdepthsofthecrystal，thegardensofNereus，Coral，andsea—fan，andtangle，thebloomsandthepalmsoftheocean。
Sotheywentonintheirjoy，morewhitethanthefoamwhichtheyscattered，Laughingandsingingandtossingandtwining;while，eager，theTritonsBlindedwithkissestheireyes，unreproved，andabovetheminworshipFlutteredtheterns，andthesea—gullssweptpastthemonsilverypinions，Echoingsoftlytheirlaughter;aroundthemthewantoningdolphinsSighedastheyplunged，fulloflove;andthegreatsea—horseswhichborethemCurveduptheircrestsintheirpridetothedelicatearmsoftheirriders，Pawingthesprayintogems，tillafieryrainfall，unharming，Sparkledandgleamedonthelimbsofthemaids，andthecoilsofthemermen。
Sotheywentonintheirjoy，bathedroundwiththefierycoolness，Needingnorsunnormoon，self—lighted，immortal：butothers，Pitiful，floatedinsilenceapart;ontheirkneeslaythesea—boysWhelmedbytherollofthesurge，sweptdownbytheangerofNereus;
Hapless，whomneveragainuponquayorstrandshalltheirmothersWelcomewithgarlandsandvowstothetemples;but，wearilypining，Gazeoverislandandmainforthesailswhichreturnnot;they，heedless，Sleepinsoftbosomsforever，anddreamofthesurgeandthesea—
maids。
Sotheypassedbyintheirjoy，likeadream，onthemurmuringripple。\"
Sucharhapsodymaybesomewhatoutoforder，eveninapopularscientificbook;andyetonecannothelpatmomentsenvyingtheoldGreekimagination，whichcouldinformthesoullesssea—worldwithahumanlifeandbeauty。For，afterall，star—fishesandsea—
anemonesaredullsubstitutesforSirensandTritons;thelampsofthesea—nymphs，thosegloriousphosphorescentmedusaewhosebeautyMr。Gossesetsforthsowellwithpenandpencil，arenotasattractiveasthesea—nymphsthemselveswouldbe;andwhowouldnot，likeMenelaus，takethegreyoldmanoftheseahimselfasleepupontherocks，ratherthanoneofhisseal—herd，probablytoowiththesameresultastheworld—famouscombatintheAntiquary，betweenHectorandPhoca？Andyet—istherenohumaninterestinthesepursuits，morehumanityandmoredivine，thantherewouldbeeveninthoseTritonandNereiddreams，ifrealizedtosightandsense？Heavenforbidthatthoseshouldsayso，whosewanderingsamongrockandpoolhavebeenmixedupwithholiestpassagesoffriendshipandoflove，andtheintercommunionofequalmindsandsympathetichearts，andthelaughofchildrendrinkinginhealthfromeverybreezeandinstructionateverystep，runningeverandanonwithprouddelighttoaddtheirlittletreasuretotheirparents’stock，andofhappyfriendlyeveningsspentoverthemicroscopeandthevase，inexamining，arranging，preserving，notingdowninthediarythewondersandthelaboursofthehappy，busyday。No;suchshortglimpsesofthewater—worldasourpresentappliancesaffordusarefullenoughofpleasure;andwewillnotenvyGlaucus：wewillnotevenbeover—anxiousforthesuccessofhisonlymodernimitator，theFrenchnaturalistwhoisreportedtohavefittedhimselfwithawaterproofdressandbreathingapparatus，inordertowalkthebottomoftheMediterranean，andseeforhimselfhowtheworldgoesonatthefifty—fathomline：wewillbecontentwiththewondersoftheshoreandofthesea—floor，asfarasthedredgewilldiscoverthemtous。Weshalleventhusfindenoughtooccupy（ifwechoose）ourlifetime。Forwemustrecollectthatthishastysketchhashardlytouchedonthatvegetablewater—world，whichisaswonderfulandasvariousastheanimalone。Ahintortwoofthebeautyofthesea—
weedshasbeengiven;butspacehasallowednomore。Yetwemighthavespentourtimewithalmostasmuchinterestandprofit，hadweneglectedutterlytheanimalswhichwehavefound，anddevotedourattentionexclusivelytothefloraoftherocks。Sea—weedsarenomereplaythingsforchildren;andtobuyatashopsomethirtyprettykinds，pastedonpaper，withlongnames（probablymis—spelt）
writtenundereach，isnotbyanymeanstopossessacollectionofthem。Puttingasidethenumberandtheobscurityoftheirspecies，thequestionswhichariseinstudyingtheirgrowth，reproduction，andorganicchemistryareoftheverydeepestandmostimportantinthewholerangeofscience;anditwillneedbutalittlestudyofsuchabookasHarvey’s\"Algae，\"toshowthewisemanthathewhohascomprehended（whichnomanyetdoes）themysteryofasinglesporeortissue—cell，hasreacheddepthsinthegreat\"ScienceofLife\"atwhichanOwenwouldstillconfesshimself\"blindbyexcessoflight。\"\"Knowestthouhowthebonesgrowinthewomb？\"askstheJewishsage，sadly，halfself—reprovingly，ashediscoversthatmanisnotthemeasureofallthings，andthatinmuchlearningmaybevanityandvexationofspirit，andinmuchstudyawearinessoftheflesh;andallourdeeperphysicalscienceonlybringsthesamequestionmoreawfullynear。\"Vilioralg？\"moreworthlessthantheverysea—weed，saystheoldRoman：andyetnotornscrapofthatverysea—weed，whichto—morrowmaymanurethenearestgarden，butsaystous，\"Proudman！talkingofsporesandvesicles，ifthoudarestforamomenttofancythattohaveseensporesandvesiclesistohaveseenme，ortoknowwhatIam，answerthis。Knowestthouhowthebonesdogrowinthewomb？Knowestthouevenhowoneofthesetinyblackdots，whichthoucallestspores，growonmyfronds？\"Andtothatquestionwhatanswershallwemake？Weseetissuesdivide，cellsdevelop，processesgoon—butHowandWhy？
Thesearebutphenomena;butwhatarephenomenasaveeffects？
Causes，itmaybe，ofothereffects;butstilleffectsofothercauses。Andwhydoesthecausecausethateffect？Whyshoulditnotcausesomethingelse？Whyshoulditcauseanythingatall？
Becauseitobeysalaw。Butwhydoesitobeythelaw？andhowdoesitobeythelaw？And，afterall，whatisalaw？AmerecustomofNature。Weseethesamephenomenonhappenagreatmanytimes;andweinferfromthencethatithasacustomofhappening;andthereforewecallitalaw：butwehavenotseenthelaw;allwehaveseenisthephenomenonwhichwesupposetoindicatethelaw。
Wehaveseenthingsfall：butweneversawalittleflyingthingpullingthemdown，with\"gravitation\"labelledonitsback;andthequestion，whythingsfall，andHOW，isjustwhereitwasbeforeNewtonwasborn，andislikelytoremainthere。Allwecansayis，thatNaturehashercustoms，andthatothercustomsensue，whenthosecustomsappear：butthatastowhatconnectscauseandeffect，astowhatisthereason，thefinalcause，oreventheCAUSACAUSANS，ofanyphenomenon，weknownotmorebutlessthanever;forthoselawsorcustomswhichseemtoussimplest（\"endosmose，\"forinstance，or\"gravitation\"），arejustthemostinexplicable，logicallyunexpected，seeminglyarbitrary，certainlysupernatural—miraculous，ifyouwill;fornonaturalandphysicalcausewhatsoevercanbeassignedforthem;whileifanyoneshallargueagainsttheirbeingmiraculousandsupernaturalonthegroundoftheirbeingsocommon，Icanonlyanswer，thatofallabsurdandillogicalarguments，thisisthemostso。Forwhathasthenumberoftimeswhichthemiracleoccurstodowiththequestion，savetoincreasethewonder？Whichismorestrange，thataninexplicableandunfathomablethingshouldoccuronceandforall，orthatitshouldoccuramilliontimeseverydayalltheworldover？
Letthose，however，whoaretooproudtowonder，doasseemsgoodtothem。Theirwantofwonderwillnothelpthemtowardtherequiredexplanation：andtothem，astous，assoonaswebeginasking，\"HOW？\"and\"WHY？\"themightyMotherwillonlyreplywiththatmagnificentsmileofhers，mostgenial，butmostsilent，whichshehaswornsincethefoundationofallworlds;thatsilentsmilewhichhastemptedmanyamantosuspectherofirony，evenofdeceitandhatredofthehumanrace;thesilentsmilewhichSolomonfelt，andansweredin\"Ecclesiastes;\"whichGoethefelt，anddidnotanswerinhis\"Faust;\"whichPascalfelt，andtriedtoanswerinhis\"Thoughts，\"andfledfromintoself—tortureandsuperstition，terrifiedbeyondhispowersofendurance，ashefoundoutthetruemeaningofSt。John’svision，andfelthimselfreallystandingonthatfragileandslippery\"seaofglass，\"andclosebeneathhimthebottomlessabyssofdoubt，andthenetherfiresofmoralretribution。HefledfromNature’ssilentsmile，asthatpooroldKingEdward（mis—calledtheConfessor）fledfromherhymnsofpraise，intheoldlegendofHavering—atte—bower，whenhecursedthenightingalesbecausetheirsongsconfusedhiminhisprayers：
butthewisemanneedcopyneither，andfearneitherthesilencenorthelaughterofthemightymotherEarth，ifhewillbebutwise，andhearhertellhim，alikeinboth—\"Whycallmemother？
WhyaskmeforknowledgewhichIcannotteach，peacewhichIcannotgiveortakeaway？Iamonlyyourfoster—motherandyournurse—
andIhavenotbeenanunkindlyone。ButyouareGod’schildren，andnotmine。AskHim。Icanamuseyouwithmysongs;buttheyarebutanurse’slullabytothewearyflesh。Icanaweyouwithmysilence;butmysilenceisonlymyjusthumility，andyourgain。
HowdareIpretendtotellyousecretswhichHewhomademeknowsalone？Iambutinanimatematter;whyaskofmethingswhichbelongtolivingspirit？InGodIliveandmove，andhavemybeing;Iknownothow，anymorethanyouknow。Whowilltellyouwhatlifeis，saveHewhoistheLordoflife？AndifHewillnottellyou，besureitisbecauseyouneednottoknow。Atleast，whyseekGodinnature，thelivingamongthedead？Heisnothere：
Heisrisen。\"
Heisnothere：Heisrisen。Goodreader，youwillprobablyagreethattoknowthatsaying，istoknowthekey—noteoftheworldtocome。Believeme，toknowit，andallitmeans，istoknowthekeynoteofthisworldalso，fromthefallofdynastiesandthefateofnations，tothesea—weedwhichrotsuponthebeach。
Itmayseemstartling，possibly（thoughIhopenot，formyreaders’
sake，irreverent），togobackatonceaftersuchthoughts，betheytrueorfalse，totheweedsuponthecliffaboveourheads。ButHewhoisnothere，butisrisen，yetishere，andhasappointedthemtheirservicesinawonderfulorder;andIwishthatonsomeday，oronmanydays，whenaquietseaandoffshorebreezeshavepreventedanynewobjectsfromcomingtolandwiththerisingtide，youwouldinvestigatetheflowerspeculiartooursea—rocksandsandhills。Evenifyoudonotfindthedelicatelily—likeTrichonemaoftheChannelIslandsandDawlish，orthealmostasbeautifulSquilloftheCornishcliffs，orthesea—lavenderofNorthDevon，oranyofthoserareMediterraneanspecieswhichMr。
Johnshassocharminglydescribedinhis\"WeekattheLizardPoint，\"yetanaveragecliff，withitscarpetingofpinkthriftandofbladdercatchfly，andLady’sfinger，andelegantgrasses，mostofthempeculiartotheseamarge，isoftenaverylovelyflower—
bed。
Notmerelyinteresting，too，butbrilliantintheirvegetationaresandhills;andtheseeminglydesolatedykesandbanksofsaltmarsheswillyieldmanyacuriousplant，whichyoumayneglectifyouwill：butlaytoyouraccountthehavingtorepentyourneglecthereafter，when，findingouttoolatewhatapleasantstudybotanyis，yousearchinvainforcuriousformsoverwhichyoutrodeverydayincrossingflatswhichseemedtoyouutterlyuglyanduninteresting，butwhichthegoodGodwaswatchingascarefullyasHedidthepleasanthillsinland：perhapsevenmorecarefully;fortheuplandsHehascompleted，andhandedovertoman，thathemaydressandkeepthem：butthetide—flatsbelowarestillunfinished，drylandintheprocessofcreation，towhicheverytideisaddingtheelementsoffertility，whichshallgrowfood，perhapsinsomefuturestateofourplanet，forgenerationsyetunborn。
Buttoreturntothewater—world，andtodredging;whichofallsea—sidepursuitsisperhapsthemostpleasant，combiningasitdoesfineweathersailingwiththediscoveryofnewobjects，towhich，afterall，thewaifsandstraysofthebeach，whether\"flotsomjetsom，orlagand，\"astheoldAdmiraltylawsdefinethem，arefewandpoor。Isayparticularlyfineweathersailing;foraswell，whichmakesthedredgeleapalongthebottom，insteadofscrapingsteadily，isasfataltosportasitistosomepeople’scomfort。Butdredging，ifyouuseapleasureboatandthesmallnaturalist’sdredge，isanamusementinwhichladies，iftheywill，mayshare，andwhichwillincrease，andnotinterferewith，theamusementsofawater—party。
Thenaturalist’sdredge，ofwhichMr。Gosse’s\"Aquarium\"givesadetailedaccount，shoulddifferfromthecommonoysterdredgeinbeingsmaller;certainlynotmorethanfourfeetacrossthemouth;
andinsteadofhavingbutoneironscraping—lipliketheoysterdredge，itshouldhavetwo，oneaboveandonebelow，sothatitwillworkequallywellonwhichsoeversideitfalls，orhowoftensoeveritmaybeturnedoverbyroughground。Thebag—netshouldbeofstrongspunyarn，or（stillbetter）ofhide\"suchasthosehidesofthewildcattleofthePampas，whichthetobacconistsreceivefromSouthAmerica，\"cutintothongs，andnettedclose。Itshouldbelooselylacedtogetherwithathongatthetailedgeinordertobeopenedeasily，whenbroughtonboard，withoutcantingthenetover，andpouringthecontentsroughlyoutthroughthemouth。Thedragging—ropeshouldbestrong，andatleastthreetimesaslongastheperpendiculardepthofthewaterinwhichyouareworking;if，indeed，thereismuchbreeze，oranyswellatall，stillmorelineshouldbeveeredout。Theinboardendshouldbemadefastsomewhereinthesternsheets，thedredgehovetowindward，theboatputbeforethewind;andyoumaythenamuseyourselfasyouwillforthenextquarterofanhour，providedthatyouhavegotreadyvariouswide—mouthedbottlesforthemoredelicatemonsters，andacoupleofbuckets，toreceivethelargelumpsofoystersandserpulaewhichyouwillprobablybringtothesurface。
Asforadredgingground，onemaybefound，Isuppose，offeverywatering—place。Themostfertilespotsareinroughground，innotlessthanfivefathomswater。Thedeeperthewater，therarerandmoreinterestingwilltheanimalsgenerallybe：butagreaterdepththanfifteenfathomsisnoteasilyreachedonthissideofPlymouth;and，onthewhole，thebeginnerwillfindenoughinsevenoreightfathomstostockanaquariumrivallinganyofthoseinthe\"Tank—house\"attheZoologicalGardens。
Ingeneral，thesouthcoastofEngland，totheeastwardofPortland，affordsbaddredgingground。Thefriablecliffs，ofcomparativelyrecentformations，keeptheseashallow，andthebottomsmoothandbare，bythevastdepositsofsandandgravel。
YetroundtheIsleofWight，especiallyatthebackoftheNeedles，thereoughttobefertilespots;andWeymouth，accordingtoMr。
Gosseandotherwell—knownnaturalists，isaverygardenofNereus。
Torbay，asmaywellbesupposed，isanadmirabledredgingspot;
perhapsitstwobestpointsareroundtheisolatedThatcherandOare—rock，andfromthemouthofBrixhamharbourtoBerryHead;
alongwhichlastline，forperhapsthreehundredyears，thedecksofallBrixhamtrawlershavebeenwasheddownererunningintoharbour，andthesea—bottomthusstoredwithtreasuresscrapedupfromdeeperwaterineverydirectionformilesandmiles。
Hastingsis，Ifear，butapoorspotfordredging。Itsfriablecliffsandstrongtidesproduceachangeableandbarrensea—floor。
YettheimmensequantitiesofFlustrathrownupafterastormindicatedredginggroundatnogreatdistanceoutside;itsrocks，uninterestingastheyarecomparedwithourDevonians，haveyieldedtotheindustryandscienceofM。Tumanowiczavastnumberofsea—
weedsandsponges。Thosethreecuriouspolypes，Valkeriacuscuta（PlateI。fig。3），NotamiaBursaria，andSerialariaLendigera，aboundwithintide—marks;andastheplaceissomuchvisitedbyLondoners，itmaybeworthwhiletogiveafewhintsastowhatmightbedone，byanyonewhosecuriosityhasbeenexcitedbythesalt—watertanksoftheZoologicalGardensandtheCrystalPalace。
Anhourortwo’sdredgingroundtherockstotheeastward，wouldprobablyyieldmanydelicateandbrilliantlittlefishes;Gobies，brilliantLabri，blue，yellow，andorange，withtinyrabbitmouths，andpowerfulprotrudingteeth;pipefishes（Syngnathi）（25）withstrangesnipe—bills（whichtheycannotopen）andsnake—likebodies;
smallcuttlefish（Sepiolae）ofawhitejellymottledwithbrilliantmetallichues，witharingofsuckeredarmsroundtheirtinyparrots’beaks，who，putintoajar，willhoveranddartinthewater，astheskylarkdoesinair，byrapidwinnowingsoftheirglassyside—fins，whiletheywatchyouwithbrightlizard—eyes;thewholeanimalbeingacombinationofthevertebrateandthemollusc，soutterlyfantasticandabnormal，that（hadnotthefamilybeenamongstthecommonest，fromtheearliestgeologicalepochs）itwouldhaveseemed，toman’sdeductiveintellect，aformalmostasimpossibleasthemermaid，farmoreimpossiblethanthesea—
serpent。These，andperhapsafewhandsomesea—slugsandbivalveshells，youwillbeprettysuretofind：perhapsagreatdealmore。
Meanwhile，withoutdredging，youmayfindagooddealontheshore。
InthespringDorisbilineatacomestotherocksinthousands，tolayitsstrangewhitefurbelowsofspawnupontheiroverhangingedges。Eolidesofextraordinarybeautyhauntthesamespots。ThegreatEolispapillosa，ofadelicateFrenchgrey;Eolispellucida（？）（PlateX。fig。4），inwhicheachpapillaonthebackisbeautifullycolouredwithastreakofpink，andtippedwithironblue;andamostfantasticalyellowlittlecreature，socoveredwithplumesandtentaclesthatthebodyisinvisible，whichI
believetobetheIdaliaaspersaofAlderandHancock。
Atthebottomoftherockpools，behindSt。Leonard’sbaths，maybefoundhundredsofthesnipe’sfeatherAnemone（Sagartiatroglodytes），ofeveryline;fromthecommonbrownandgreysnipe’sfeatherkind，tothewhite—hornedHesperus，theorange—hornedAurora，andarichlilacandcrimsonvariety，whichdoesnotseemtoagreewitheithertheLilaciniaorRubicundaofGosse。Amorebeautifullivingbouquetcouldhardlybeseen，thanmightbemadeofthevarietiesofthissinglespecies，fromthisoneplace。
OntheoutsidesandsbetweentheendoftheMarinaandtheMartellotower，youmayfind，atverylowtides，greatnumbersofasand—
tube，aboutthreeincheslong，standingupoutofthesand。IdonotmeanthetubesoftheTerebella，socommoninallsands，whicharesomewhatflexible，andhavetheirupperendfringedwitharaggedringofsandyarms：thoseIspeakofarestraightandstiff，andendinginapointupward。Drawthemoutofthesand—
theywilloffersomeresistance—andputthemintoavaseofwater;youwillseetheworminsideexpandtwodelicategoldencombs，justlikeold—fashionedback—haircombs，ofametalliclustre，whichwillastonishyou。Withthesecombsthewormseemstoburrowheaddownwardintothesand;butwhetherhealwaysremainsinthatattitudeIcannotsay。HisnameisPectinariaBelgica。HeisanAnnelid，ortrueworm，connectedwiththeSerpuleaandSabellaeofwhichIhavespokenalready，andholdshimselfinhiscaselikethem，byhooksandbristlessetoneachringofhisbody。Inconfinementhewillprobablycomeoutofhiscaseanddie;whenyoumaydissecthimatyourleisure，andlearnagreatdealmoreabouthimtherebythan（Iamsorrytosay）Iknow。
ButifyouhavecouragetorunoutfifteenortwentymilestotheDiamond，youmayfindreallyrareandvaluableanimals。Thereisarisk，ofcourse，ofbeingblownovertothecoastofFrance，byachangeofwind;thereisariskalsoofnotbeingabletolandatnightontheinhospitableHastingsbeach，andofsleeping，asbestyoucan，onboard：butinthelongdaysandsettledfineweatherofsummer，thetrip，inastoutboat，oughttobeasafeandapleasantone。
OntheDiamondyouwillfindmany，ormostofthosegaycreatureswhichattractyoureyeinthecentralrowoftanksattheZoologicalGardens：greattwistedmassesofSerpulae，（26）thosewhitetubesofstone，fromthemouthofwhichprotrudepairsofrose—colouredororangefans，flashingin，quickaslight，themomentthatyourfingerapproachesthemoryourshadowcrossesthewater。
Youwilldredge，too，thetwelve—rayedsun—star（Solasterpapposa），withhisrichscarletarmour;andmorestrange，andquiteasbeautiful，thebird’sfootstar（Palmipesmembranaceus），whichyoumayseecrawlingbyitsthousandsucking—feetintheCrystalPalacetanks，apentagonalwebbedbird’sfoot，ofscarletandorangeshagreen。Withhim，mostprobably，willbeaspecimenofthegreatpurpleheart—urchin（Spatanguspurpureus），clothedinpalelilachornyspines，andotherEchinoderms，forwhichyoumustconsultForbes’s\"BritishStar—fishes：\"butperhapsthespeciesamongthemwhichwillinterestyoumost，willbethecommonbrittle—star（Ophiocomarosula），ofwhichahundredorso，Icanpromise，shallcomeupatasinglehaulofthedredge，entwiningtheirlongspine—
cladarmsinaseeminglyinextricableconfusionof\"kaleidoscope\"
patterns（thankstoMr。Gossefortheonerightepithet），purpleandazure，fawn，brown，green，grey，whiteandcrimson;asifawholebedofChina—astersshouldhavefirstcometolife，andthengonemad，andfallentofighting。Butpickout，onebyone，specimensfromthetangledmass，andyouwillagreethatnoChina—
asterissofairasthislivingstone—flowerofthedeep，withitsdaisy—likedisc，andfinelongpricklyarms，whichneverceasetheirgracefulserpentinemotion，anditscolourshardlyalikeinanytwospecimens。Handlethemnot，meanwhile，tooroughly，lest，whethermodestyorinanger，theybeginadesperatecourseofgradualsuicide，and，breakingoffarmafterarmpiecemeal，flingthemindignantlyattheirtormentor。Alongwiththeseyouwillcertainlyobtainafewofthatfinebivalve，thegreatScallop，whichyouhaveseenlyingoneveryfishmonger’scounterinHastings。Oftheseyoumustpickoutthosewhichseemdirtiestandmostovergrownwithparasites，andplacethemcarefullyinajarofsaltwater，wheretheymaynotberubbed;fortheyareworthyourexamination，notmerelyforthesakeofthatringofgem—likeeyeswhichborderstheir\"cloak，\"lyingalongtheextremeoutedgeoftheshellasthevalvesarehalfopen，butforthesakeoftheparasitesoutside：corallinesofexquisitedelicacy，PlumulariaeandSertulariae，deadmen’shands（Alcyonia），lumpsofwhiteororangejelly，whichwillprotrudeathousandstar—likepolypes，andtheTubulariaindivisa，twistedtubesoffinestraw，whichoughtalreadytohavepuzzledyou;foryoumaypickthemupinconsiderablemassesontheHastingsbeachafterasouth—westgale，andthinklongoverthembeforeyoudeterminewhethertheoat—likestemsandspongyrootsbelongtoananimal，oravegetable。
Animalstheyare，nevertheless，thoughevennowyouwillhardlyguessthefact，whenyouseeatthemouthofeachtubealittlescarletflower，connectedwiththepinkpulpwhichfillsthetube。
ForafurtherdescriptionofthislargestandhandsomestofourHydroidPolypes，ImustreferyoutoJohnston，or，failinghim，toLandsborough;andgoon，tobegyounottodespisethosepink，orgrey，orwhitelumpsofjelly，whichwillexpandinsaltwaterintoexquisitesea—anemones，ofquitedifferentformsfromanywhichwehavefoundalongtherocks。OneofthemwillcertainlybetheDianthus，（27）whichwillopenintoafurbelowedflower，furredwithinnumerabledelicatetentacula;andinthecentreamouthofthemostdelicateorange，thesizeofthewholeanimalbeingperhapseightincheshighandfiveacross。Perhapsitwillbeofasatinygrey，perhapspalerose，perhapspurewhite;whateveritscolour，itistheverymaidenqueenofallthebeautifultribe，andoneoftheloveliestgemswithwhichithaspleasedGodtobedeckthislowerworld。
Theseandmuchmoreyouwillfindonthescallops，orevenmoreplentifullyonanylumpofancientoysters;andifyoudonotdredge，itwouldbewellworthyourwhiletomakeinterestwiththefish—mongerforafewoysterlumps，putintowaterthemomenttheyaretakenoutofthetrawl。Dividethemcarefully，clearouttheoysterswithaknife，andputtheshellsintoyouraquarium，andyouwillfindthatanoysterathomeisaverydifferentthingfromanoysteronastall。
Youought，besides，todredgemanyhandsomespeciesofshells，whichyouwouldneverpickupalongthebeach;andifyouareconchologizinginearnest，youmustnotforgettobringhomeatinboxofshellsand，tobewashedandpickedoverinadishatyourleisure，orforgeteithertowashthroughafinesieve，overtheboat’sside，anysludgeandoozewhichthedredgebringsup。Many—Imaysay，hundreds—rareandnewshellsarefoundinthisway，andinnoother。
Butifyoucannotaffordtheexpenseofyourowndredgeandboat，andthetimeandtroublenecessarytofollowtheoccupationscientifically，yeteverytrawlerandoyster—boatwillaffordyouatolerablesatisfaction。Goonboardoneofthese;andwhilethetrawlisdown，spendapleasanthourortwointalkingwiththesimple，honest，sturdyfellowswhoworkit，fromwhom（ifyouareasfortunateasIhavebeenformanyayearpast）youmaygetmanyamovingstoryofdangerandsorrow，aswellasmanyashrewdpracticalmaxim，andoften，too，alivingrecognitionofGod，andtheprovidenceofGod，whichwillsendyouhome，perhaps，awiserandmoregenialman。Andwhenthetrawlishauled，waittillthefisharecountedout，andpackedaway，andthenkneeldownandinspect（inapairofMackintoshleggings，andyouroldestcoat）
thecrawlingheapofshellsandzoophyteswhichremainsbehindaboutthedecks，andyouwillfind，ifalandsman，enoughtooccupyyouforaweektocome。Nay，evenifitbetoocalmfortrawling，condescendtogooutinadingy，andhelptohaulsomehonestfellow’sdeep—sealinesandlobster—pots，andyouwillfindmoreandstrangerthingsaboutthemthanevenfishorlobsters：thoughthey，tohimwhohaseyestosee，arestrangeenough。
Ispeakfromexperience;foritwasnotsoverylongagothat，inthenorthofDevon，Ifoundsermons，notindeedinstones，butinacreaturereputedamongthemostworthlessofsea—vermin。Ihadbeenloungingaboutallthemorningonthelittlepier，waiting，withtherestofthevillage，foratrawlingbreezewhichwouldnotcome。Twoo’clockwaspast，andstilltheredmainsailsoftheskiffshungmotionless，andtheirimagesquiveredheaddownwardsintheglassyswell，\"AsidleasapaintedshipUponapaintedocean。\"
Itwasneap—tide，too，andthereforenothingcouldbedoneamongtherocks。So，indespair，findinganoldcoast—guardfriendstartingforhislobster—pots，Ideterminedtosavetheoldman’sarms，byrowinghimuptheshore;andthenpaddledhomewardagain，underthehighgreennorthernwall，fivehundredfeetofclifffurredtothewater’sedgewithrichoakwoods，againstwhosebasethesmoothAtlanticswelldiedwhispering，asifcurlingitselfuptosleepatlastwithinthatshelterednook，tiredwithitswearywanderings。Thesunsanklowerandlowerbehindthedeer—parkpoint;thewhitestairofhousesuptheglenwaswrappedeverymomentdeeperanddeeperinhazysmokeandshade，asthelightfaded;theeveningfireswerelightedonebyone;thesoftmurmurofthewaterfall，andthepleasantlaughofchildren，andthesplashofhomewardoars，cameclearerandclearertotheearateverystroke：andaswerowedon，arosetherecollectionofmanyabraveandwisefriend，whoselotwascastinnosuchwesternparadise，butratherintheinfernosofthissinfulearth，toilingeventhenamidthefesteringalleysofBermondseyandBethnalGreen，topalliatedeathandmiserywhichtheyhadvainlylabouredtoprevent，watchingthestridesofthatverycholerawhichtheyhadbeenstrivingforyearstowardoff，nowre—admittedinspiteofalltheirwarnings，bythecarelessness，andlaziness，andgreedofsinfulman。AndasIthoughtoverthewholehaplessquestionofsanitaryreform，provedlongsinceamoraldutytoGodandman，possible，easy，evenpecuniarilyprofitable，andyetleftundone，thereseemedasublimeirony，mosthumblingtoman，insomeofNature’sprocesses，andinthesilentandunobtrusiveperfectionwithwhichshehasbeentaughttoanticipate，sincethefoundationoftheworld，someoftheloftiestdiscoveriesofmodernscience，ofwhichwearetooapttoboastasifwehadcreatedthemethodbydiscoveringitspossibility。Createdit？Alasfortheprideofhumangenius，andtheautotheismwhichwouldmakemanthemeasureofallthings，andthecentreoftheuniverse！Alltheinvaluablelawsandmethodsofsanitaryreformatbestarebutclumsyimitationsoftheunseenwonderswhicheveryanimalculeandleafhavebeenworkingsincetheworld’sfoundation;withthisslightdifferencebetweenthemandus，thattheyfulfiltheirappointedtask，andwedonot。
Thesicklygeraniumwhichspreadsitsblanchedleavesagainstthecellarpanes，andpeersup，asifimploringly，tothenarrowslipofsunlightatthetopofthenarrowalley，haditavoice，couldtellmoretrulythaneveradoctorinthetown，whylittleBessysickenedofthescarlatina，andlittleJohnnyofthehooping—cough，tillthetoddlingweethingswhousedtopetandwateritwerecarriedoffeachandallofthemonebyonetothechurchyardsleep，whilethefatherandmothersatathome，tryingtosupplybyginthatveryvitalenergywhichfreshairandpurewater，andthebalmybreathofwoodsandheaths，weremadebyGodtogive;andhowthelittlegeraniumdiditsbest，likeaheaven—sentangel，torightthewrongwhichman’signorancehadbegotten，anddrankin，daybyday，thepoisonedatmosphere，andformeditintofairgreenleaves，andbreathedintothechildren’sfacesfromeverypore，whenevertheybentoverit，thelife—givingoxygenforwhichtheirdulledbloodandfesteredlungswerecravinginvain;fulfillingGod’swillitself，thoughmanwouldnot，toocarelessortoocovetoustosee，afterthousandsofyearsofboastedprogress，whyGodhadcoveredtheearthwithgrass，herb，andtree，alivingandlife—givinggarmentofperpetualhealthandyouth。
Itistoosadtothinklongabout，lestwebecomeveryHeraclituses。LetustaketheothersideofthematterwithDemocritus，trytolaughmanoutofalittleofhisboastfulignoranceandself—satisfiedclumsiness，andtellhim，thatiftheHouseofCommonswouldbutsummononeofthelittleParameciafromanyThames’sewer—mouth，togivehisevidencebeforetheirnextCholeraCommittee，sanitaryblue—books，invaluableastheyare，wouldbesupersededforeverandaday;andsanitaryreformerswouldnolongerhavetoconfess，thattheyknowofnomeansofstoppingthesmellswhichinpasthotsummersdrovethemembersoutoftheHouse，andthejudgesoutofWestminsterHall。
Nay，intheboatattheminuteofwhichIhavebeenspeaking，silentandneglected，satafellow—passenger，whowasagreateradeptatremovingnuisancesthanthewholeBoardofHealthputtogether;andwhohaddonehiswork，too，withacheapnessunparalleled;forallhisgooddeedshadnotasyetcosttheStateonepenny。True，helivedbyhisbusiness;sodootherinspectorsofnuisances：butNature，insteadofpayingMaiaSquinado，Esquire，somefivehundredpoundssterlingperannumforhislabour，hadcontrived，withasublimesimplicityofeconomywhichMr。Humemighthaveenviedandadmiredafaroff，tomakehimdohisworkgratis，bygivinghimthenuisancesashisperquisites，andteachinghimhowtoeatthem。Certainly（withoutgoingthelengthoftheCaribs，whoupheldcannibalismbecause，theysaid，itmadewarcheap，andprecludedentirelytheneedofacommissariat），thiscardinalvirtueofcheapnessoughttomakeSquinadoaninterestingobjectintheeyesofthepresentgeneration;especiallyashewasatthatmomentatruesanitarymartyr，having，likemanyofhishumanfellow—workers，gotintoafearfulscrapebymeddlingwiththoseexistinginterests，and\"vestedrightswhicharebutvestedwrongs，\"whichhaveprovedfatalalreadytomorethanoneBoardofHealth。Forlastnight，ashewassittingquietlyunderastoneinfourfathomswater，hebecameaware（whetherbysight，smell，orthatmysterioussixthsense，tousunknown，whichseemstoresideinhisdelicatefeelers）ofapalpablenuisancesomewhereintheneighbourhood;and，likeatrustyservantofthepublic，turnedoutofhisbedinstantlyandwentinsearch;tillhediscovered，hangingamongwhathejudgedtobethestemsofore—weed（Laminaria），threeorfourlargepiecesofstalethornback，ofmostevilsavour，andhighlyprejudicialtothepurityofthesea，andthehealthoftheneighbouringherrings。HappySquinado！Heneedednottodiscoverthelimitsofhisauthority，toconsultanylengthyNuisances’RemovalAct，withitsclauses，andcounter—
clauses，andexplanationsofinterpretations，andinterpretationsofexplanations。Nature，whocanaffordtobearbitrary，becausesheisperfect，andtogiveherservantsirresponsiblepowers，becauseshehastrainedthemtotheirwork，hadbestowedonhimandonhisforefathers，asgeneralhealthinspectors，thoseverysummarypowersofentranceandremovalinthewateryrealmsforwhichcommonsense，publicopinion，andprivatephilanthropyarestillentreatingvainlyintheterrestrialrealms;sofindingahole，inhewent，andbegantoremovethenuisance，without\"waitingtwenty—fourhours，\"\"layinganinformation，\"\"servinganotice，\"oranyothervaindelay。Theevilwasthere，—andthereitshouldnotstay;sohavingneithercartnorbarrow，hejustbeganputtingitintohisstomach，andinthemeanwhilesethisassistantstoworklikewise。Forsupposenot，gentlereader，thatSquinadowentalone;inhistrainweremorethanahundredthousandasgoodashe，eachinhisoffice，andascheaplypaid;whoneedednocumbrousbaggagetrainofforce—pumps，hose，chlorideoflimepackets，whitewash，pailsorbrushes，butwereeverymanhisowninstrument;and，tosaveexpenseoftransit，justgrewonSquinado’sback。Doyoudoubttheassertion？Thenlifthimuphither，andputtinghimgentlyintothatshallowjarofsaltwater，lookathimthroughthehand—magnifier，andseehowNatureismaximainminimis。
Therehesits，twiddlinghisfeelers（asubstitute，itseems，withcrustaceaforbitingtheirnailswhentheyarepuzzled），andbynomeanslovelytolookoninvulgareyes;—aboutthebignessofaman’sfist;around—bodied，spindle—shanked，crusty，prickly，dirtyfellow，withavillanoussquint，too，inthoselittlebonyeyes，whichneverlookforamomentboththesameway。Nevermind：manyamanofgeniusisungainlyenough;andNature，ifyouwillobserve，asiftomakeuptohimforhisuncomeliness，hasarrayedhimasSolomoninallhisgloryneverwasarrayed，andsofulfilledoneoftheproposalsofoldFourier—thatscavengers，chimney—
sweeps，andotherworkersindisgustingemployments，shouldberewardedfortheirself—sacrificeinbehalfofthepublicwealbysomepeculiarbadgeofhonour，orlaurelcrown。Notthathiscrown，likethoseoftheoldGreekgames，isamereuselessbadge;
onthecontrary，hisrobeofstateiscomposedofhisfellow—
servants。Hiswholebackiscoveredwithalittlegreyforestofbranchinghairs，fineasaspider’sweb，eachbranchletcarryingitslittlepearlyringedclub，eachclubitsrose—colouredpolype，like（toquoteMr。Gosse’scomparison）theunexpandedbirdsoftheacacia。（28）
Onthatleggrows，amidanothercopseofthegreypolypes，adelicatestraw—colouredSertularia，branchonbranchoftinydoublecombs，eachtoothofthecombbeingatubecontainingalivingflower;onanotherleganotherSertularia，coarser，butstillbeautiful;androunditagainhastraineditself，parasiticontheparasite，plantuponplantofglassivy，bearingcrystalbells，（29）eachofwhich，too，protrudesitslivingflower;onanotherlegisafreshspecies，likealittleheather—bushofwhitestivory，（30）andeveryneedleleafapolypecell—letusstopbeforetheimaginationgrowsdizzywiththecontemplationofthosemyriadsofbeautifulatomies。Andwhatistheiruse？Eachlivingflower，eachpolypemouthisfeedingfast，sweepingintoitself，bytheperpetualcurrentscausedbythedelicatefringesuponitsrays（sominutetheselast，thattheirmotiononlybetraystheirpresence），eachtiniestatomofdecayingmatterinthesurroundingwater，toconvertit，bysomewondrousalchemy，intofreshcellsandbuds，andeitherbuildupafreshbranchintheirthousand—
tenantedtree，orformanegg—cell，fromwhencewhenripemayissue，notafixedzoophyte，butafreeswimminganimal。
Andinthemeanwhile，amongthisanimalforestgrowsavegetableoneofdelicatestsea—weeds，greenandbrownandcrimson，whoseofficeis，bytheireverlastingbreath，toreoxygenatetheimpurewater，andrenderitfitoncemoretobebreathedbythehigheranimalswhoswimorcreeparound。
Mysteryofmysteries！Letusjestnomore，—Heavenforgiveusifwehavejestedtoomuchonsosimpleamatterasthatpoorspider—
crab，takenoutofthelobster—pots，andlefttodieatthebottomoftheboat，becausehismorearistocraticcousinsoftheblueandpurplearmourwillnotenterthetrapwhileheiswithin。
Iamnotawarewhetherthesurmise，thatthesetinyzoophyteshelptopurifythewaterbyexhalingoxygengas，hasyetbeenverified。
Theinfusorialanimalculesdoso，reversingthefunctionsofanimallife，andinsteadofevolvingcarbonicacidgas，asotheranimalsdo，evolvepureoxygen。So，atleast，saysLiebig，whostatesthathefoundasmallpieceofmatchwood，justextinguished，burstoutagainintoaflameonbeingimmersedinthebubblesgivenoutbytheselivingatomies。
Imyselfshouldbeinclinedtodoubtthatthisisthecasewithzoophytes，havingfoundwaterinwhichtheyweregrowing（unless，ofcourse，sea—weedswerepresent）tobepeculiarlyreadytobecomefoul;butitisdifficulttosaywhetherthisisowingtotheirdeoxygenatingthewaterwhilealive，likeotheranimals，ortothefactthatitisveryraretogetaspecimenofzoophyteinwhichalargenumberofthepolypeshavenotbeenkilledinthetransithome，oratleastsofarknockedabout，that（intheAnthozoa，whicharefarthemostabundant）thepolype—orratherlivingmouth，foritislittlemore—isthrownofftodecay，pendingthegrowthofafreshoneinthesamecell。
Butallthesea—weeds，incommonwithothervegetables，performthisfunctioncontinually，andthusmaintainthewaterinwhichtheygrowinastatefittosupportanimallife。
Thisfact—firstadvancedbyPriestleyandIngenhousz，andthoughdoubtedbythegreatEllis，satisfactorilyascertainedbyProfessorDaubeny，Mr。Ward，Dr。Johnston，andMr。Warrington—givesananswertothequestion，whichIhopehaserenowariseninthemindsofsomeofmyreaders，—
Howisitpossibletoseethesewondersathome？Beautifulandinstructiveastheymaybe，cantheybemeantforanybutdwellersbythesea—side？Naymore，eventothem，mustnotthegloriesofthewater—worldbealwaysmoremomentarythanthoseoftherainbow，amereFataMorganawhichbreaksupandvanishesbeforetheeyes？
Iftherewerebutsomemethodofmakingaminiaturesea—worldforafewdays;muchmoreofkeepingonewithuswhenfarinland。—
Thisdesideratumhasatlastbeenfilledup;andsciencehasshown，asusual，thatbysimplyobeyingNature，wemayconquerher，evensofarastohaveourminiaturesea，ofartificialsalt—water，filledwithlivingplantsandsea—weeds，maintainingeachotherinperfecthealth，andeachfollowing，asfarasispossibleinaconfinedspace，itsnaturalhabits。
ToDr。Johnstonisdue，asfarasisknown，thehonourofthefirstaccomplishmentofthisasofahundredotherzoologicaltriumphs。
Asearlyas1842，heprovedtohimselfthevegetablenatureofthecommonpinkCoralline，whichfringeseveryrock—pool，bykeepingitforeightweeksinunchangedsalt—water，withoutanyputrefactionensuing。Theground，ofcourse，onwhichtheproofrestedinthiscasewas，thatifthecorallinewere，ashadoftenbeenthought，azoophyte，thewaterwouldbecomecorrupt，andpoisonoustothelifeofthesmallanimalsinthesamejar;andthatitsremainingfresharguedthatthecorallinehadre—oxygenateditfromtimetotime，andwasthereforeavegetable。
In1850，Mr。RobertWarringtoncommunicatedtotheChemicalSocietytheresultsofayear’sexperiments，\"OntheAdjustmentoftheRelationsbetweentheAnimalandVegetableKingdoms，bywhichtheVitalFunctionsofbotharepermanentlymaintained。\"ThelawwhichhisexperimentsverifiedwasthesameasthatonwhichMr。Ward，in1842，foundedhisinvaluableproposalforincreasingthepurityoftheairinlargetowns，byplantingtreesandcultivatingflowersinrooms，THATTHEANIMALANDVEGETABLERESPIRATIONSMIGHT
COUNTERBALANCEEACHOTHER;theanimal’sbloodbeingpurifiedbytheoxygengivenoffbytheplants，theplantsfedbythecarbonicacidbreathedoutbytheanimals。
Onthesameprinciple，Mr。Warringtonfirstkept，formanymonths，inavaseofunchangedwater，twosmallgoldfishandaplantofVallisneriaspiralis;andtwoyearsafterwardsbeganasimilarexperimentwithsea—water，weeds，andanemones，whichwere，atlast，assuccessfulastheformerones。Mr。Gossehad，inthemeanwhile，withtolerablesuccessbegunasimilarmethod，unawareofwhatMr。Warringtonhaddone;andnowthebeautifulandcuriousexhibitionoffreshandsaltwatertanksintheZoologicalGardensinLondon，bidsfairtobecopiedineverysimilarinstitution，andwehopeinmanyprivatehouses，throughoutthekingdom。
TothissubjectMr。Gosse’sbook，\"TheAquarium，\"isprincipallydevoted，thoughitcontains，besides，sketchesofcoastscenery，inhisusualcharmingstyle，anddescriptionsofraresea—animals，withwiseandgoodlyreflectionsthereon。Onegreatobjectofinterestinthebookisthelastchapter，whichtreatsfullyofthemakingandstockingthesesalt—water\"Aquaria;\"andthevariousbeautifullycolouredplates，whichare，asitwere，sketchesfromtheinterioroftanks，arewellfittedtoexcitethedesireofallreaderstopossesssuchgorgeouslivingpictures，ifasnothingelse，stillasdrawing—roomornaments，flower—gardenswhichneverwither，fairylakesofperpetualcalmwhichnostormblackens，—
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Thosewhohaveneverseenoneofthemcanneverimagine（andneitherMr。Gosse’spencilnormyclumsywordscaneverdescribetothem）thegorgeouscolouringandthegraceanddelicacyofformwhichthesesubaqueouslandscapesexhibit。
Asforcolouring，—theonlybitofcolourwhichIcanrememberevenfaintlyresemblingthem（forthoughCorreggio’sMagdalenemayrivalthemingreensandblues，yetevenhehasnosuchcrimsonsandpurples）istheAdorationoftheShepherds，bythat\"princeofcolorists\"—PalmaVecchio，whichhangsontheleft—handsideofLordEllesmere’sgreatgallery。Butasfortheforms，—whereshallweseetheirlike？Where，amidminiatureforestsasfantasticasthoseofthetropics，animalswhoseshapesoutviethewildestdreamsoftheoldGermanghostpainterswhichcoverthewallsofthegalleriesofBrusselsorAntwerp？Andyettheuncouthesthassomequaintbeautyofitsown，whilemost—thestar—fishesandanemones，forexample—arenothingbutbeauty。
ThebrilliantplatesinMr。Gosse’s\"Aquarium\"give，afterall，butameagrepictureofthereality，asitmaybeseeninthetank—
houseattheZoologicalGardens;andasitmaybeseenalso，byanyonewhowillfollowcarefullythedirectionsgivenattheendofhisbook，stockaglassvasewithsuchcommonthingsashemayfindinanhour’ssearchatlowtide，andsohaveanopportunityofseeinghowtrulyMr。Gossesays，inhisvaluablepreface，that—
\"Thehabits\"（andhemightwellhaveadded，themarvellousbeauty）
\"ofanimalswillneverbethoroughlyknowntilltheyareobservedindetail。Norisitsufficienttomarkthemwithattentionnowandthen;theymustbecloselywatched，theirvariousactionscarefullynoted，theirbehaviourunderdifferentcircumstances，andespeciallythosemovementswhichseemtousmerevagaries，undirectedbyanysuggestiblemotiveorcause，wellexamined。A
richfruitofresult，oftennewandcuriousandunexpected，will，I
amsure，rewardanyonewhostudieslivinganimalsinthisway。Themostinterestingparts，byfar，ofpublishedNaturalHistoryarethoseminute，butgraphicparticulars，whichhavebeengatheredupbyanattentivewatchingofindividualanimals。\"
Mr。Gosse’sownbooks，certainly，giveproofenoughofthis。Weneedonlydirectthereadertohisexquisitelyhumorousaccountofthewaysandworksofacaptivesoldier—crab，（31）toshowthemhowmuchthereistobeseen，andhowfullNatureisalsoofthatludicrouselementofwhichwespokeabove。And，indeed，itisinthisformofNaturalHistory：notinmereclassification，andthefindingoutofmeans，andquarrellingsastothefirstdiscoveryofthatbeetleorthisbuttercup，—toocommon，alas！amongmerecloset—collectors，—\"endlessgenealogies，\"toapplySt。Paul’swordsbynomeansirreverentlyorfancifully，\"whichdobutgenderstrife;\"—notinthesepedantriesisthatmoraltrainingtobefound，forwhichwehavebeenlaudingthestudyofNaturalHistory：
butinhealthfulwalksandvoyagesoutofdoors，andincarefulandpatientwatchingofthelivinganimalsandplantsathome，withanobservationsharpenedbypractice，andatempercalmedbythecontinualpracticeofthenaturalist’sfirstvirtues—patienceandperseverance。
Practicaldirectionsforformingan\"Aquarium\"maybefoundinMr。
Gosse’sbookbearingthatname，atpp。101，255，ETSEQ。;andthosewhowishtocarryoutthenotionthoroughly，cannotdobetterthanbuyhisbook，andtaketheirchoiceofthemanydifferentformsofvase，withrockwork，fountains，andotherprettydeviceswhichhedescribes。
Butthemany，eveniftheyhaveMr。Gosse’sbook，willberatherinclinedtobeginwithasmallattempt;especiallyastheyareprobablyhalfscepticalofthepossibilityofkeepingsea—animalsinlandwithoutchangingthewater。Afewsimpledirections，therefore，willnotcomeamisshere。Theyshallbesuchasanyonecanputintopractice，whogoesdowntostayinalodging—houseatthemostcockneyofwatering—places。
Buyatanyglass—shopacylindricalglassjar，somesixinchesindiameterandtenhigh，whichwillcostyoufromthreetofourshillings;washitclean，andfillitwithcleansalt—water，dippedoutofanypoolamongtherocks，onlylookingfirsttoseethatthereisnodeadfishorotherevilmatterinthesaidpool，andthatnostreamfromthelandrunsintoit。Ifyouchoosetotakethetroubletodipupthewateroveraboat’sside，somuchthebetter。
Somuchforyourvase;nowtostockit。
Godownatlowspring—tidetothenearestledgeofrocks，andwithahammerandchiselchipoffafewpiecesofstonecoveredwithgrowingsea—weed。Avoidthecommonandcoarserkinds（fuci）whichcoverthesurfaceoftherocks;fortheygiveoutunderwateraslimewhichwillfoulyourtank：butchoosethemoredelicatespecieswhichfringetheedgesofeverypoolatlow—watermark;thepinkcoralline，thedarkpurpleraggeddulse（Rhodymenia），theCarrageenmoss（Chondrus），andaboveall，thecommonestofall，thedelicategreenUlva，whichyouwillseegrowingeverywhereinwrinkledfan—shapedsheets，asthinasthefinestsilver—paper。
Thesmallestbitsofstonearesufficient，providedthesea—weedshaveholdofthem;fortheyhavenorealroots，butadherebyasmalldisc，derivingnonourishmentfromtherock，butonlyfromthewater。Takecare，meanwhile，thattherebeaslittleaspossibleonthestone，besidetheweeditself。Especiallyscrapeoffanysmallsponges，andseethatnowormshavemadetheirtwiningtubesofsandamongtheweed—stems;iftheyhave，dragthemout;fortheywillsurelydie，andassurelyspoilallbysulphurettedhydrogen，blackness，andevilsmells。
Putyourweedsintoyourtank，andsettlethematthebottom;whichlast，somesay，shouldbecoveredwithalayerofpebbles：butletthebeginnerleaveitasbareaspossible;forthepebblesonlytemptcross—grainedannelidstocrawlunderthem，die，andspoilallbydecaying：whereasifthebottomofthevaseisbare，youcanseeasicklyordeadinhabitantatonce，andtakehimout（whichyoumustdo）instantly。Letyourweedsstandquietlyinthevaseadayortwobeforeyouputinanyliveanimals;andeventhen，donotputanyinifthewaterdoesnotappearperfectlyclear：butliftouttheweeds，andrenewthewaterereyoureplacethem。
ThisisMr。Gosse’smethod。ButMr。Lloyd，inhis\"HandbooktotheCrystalPalaceAquarium，\"advisesthatnoweedshouldbeputintothetank。\"Itisbetter，\"hesays，\"todependonlyonthosewhichgraduallyandnaturallyappearontherocksoftheaquariumbytheactionoflight，andwhichanswereverychemicalpurpose。\"I
shouldadviseanyoneintendingtosetupanaquarium，howeversmall，tostudywhatMr。Lloydsaysonthismatterinpp。17—19，andalsoinpage30，ofhispamphlet;andalsotogototheCrystalPalaceAquarium，andthereseeforhimselfthemanybeautifulspeciesofsea—weedswhichhaveappearedspontaneouslyinthetanksfromunsuspectedsporesfloatinginthesea—water。Ontheotherhand，Mr。Lloydlaysmuchstressonthenecessityofa塺atingthewater，bykeepingitinperpetualmotion;aprocessnoteasytobecarriedoutinsmallaquaria;atleasttothatperfectionwhichhasbeenattainedattheCrystalPalace，wherethewateriskeptincontinualcirculationbysteam—power。Forajar—aquarium，itwillbeenoughtodrivefreshairthroughthewatereveryday，bymeansofasyringe。
Nowforthelivestock。Inthecranniesofeveryrockyouwillfindsea—anemones（Actiniae）;andadozenoftheseonlywillbeenoughtoconvertyourlittlevaseintothemostbrilliantoflivingflower—gardens。Theretheyhangupontheundersideoftheledges，apparentlymereroundedlumpsofjelly：oneisofdarkpurpledottedwithgreen;anotherofarichchocolate;anotherofadelicateolive;anothersienna—yellow;anotherallbutwhite。Takethemfromtheirrock;youcandoiteasilybyslippingunderthemyourfinger—nail，ortheedgeofapewterspoon。Takecaretotearthesuckingbaseaslittleaspossible（thoughasmallrenttheywilldarnforthemselvesinafewdays，easilyenough，anddropthemintoabasketofwetsea—weed;whenyougethometurnthemintoadishfullofwaterandleavethemforthenight，andgotolookatthemto—morrow。Whatachange！Thedulllumpsofjellyhavetakenrootandfloweredduringthenight，andyourdishisfilledfromsidetosidewithabouquetofchrysanthemums;eachhasexpandedintoahundred—petalledflower，crimson，pink，purple，ororange;touchone，anditshrinkstogetherlikeasensitiveplant，displayingattherootofthepetalsaringofbrilliantturquoisebeads。ThatisthecommonestofalltheActiniae（Mesembryanthemum）;youmayhavehimwhenandwhereyouwill：butifyouwillsearchthoserockssomewhatcloser，youwillfindevenmoregorgeousspeciesthanhim。Seeinthatpoolsomedozenlargeones，infullbloom，andquitesixinchesacross，someofthem。IftheircousinswhomwefoundjustnowwerelikeChrysanthemums，thesearelikequilledDahlias。Theirarmsarestouterandshorterinproportionthanthoseofthelastspecies，buttheircolourisequallybrilliant。Oneisabrilliantblood—red;anotheradelicatesea—bluestripedwithpink;butmosthavethediscandtheinnumerablearmsstripedandringedwithvariousshadesofgreyandbrown。Shallwegetthem？Byallmeansifwecan。Touchone。
Whereishenow？Gone？Vanishedintoair，orintostone？Notquite。Youseethatknotofsandandbrokenshelllyingontherock，whereyourDahliawasonemomentago。Touchit，andyouwillfinditleatheryandelastic。ThatisallwhichremainsoftheliveDahlia。Nevermind;getyourfingerintothecrackunderhim，workhimgentlybutfirmlyout，andtakehimhome，andhewillbeashappyandasgorgeousaseverto—morrow。