S3 



HARDWICKE'S SC IE N CE-GOSS IP. 



shell of a Gasteropod, with three fine specimens of 

 the Plumose Anemone {Actiniloba pliimosa), dis- 

 tributed on its snowy surface and spiny projec- 

 tions. This I place immediately in the centre, so 

 that it appears magnified from every side. I now 

 tunnel a deep groove in the gravel, in which I coil 

 the long and muddy cases of the Sabella spiralis, 

 propping the opening with stones, in order that its 

 umbrella-like plumes of spotted brown may contrast 

 with the gay tints of the Plumose. 



What strange iri-egular mass is this ? Why, 

 that is the top shell of one of the Lamellibranchiata, 

 and those tubes, like tobacco-pipes, and the leathery 

 sand-cases fixed to it, are the structures of Tubico- 

 lidse. I will place this as a radiation from the 

 centre, and you will soon see the gorgeous bran- 

 chial tufts of Serpula;, varying from the purest white 

 and pink to the deepest crimson, from the faintest 

 magenta to the richest purple, slowly expand, 

 -mingling with the white and feathery plumes of the 

 smaller Sabella. k circular space, once the resting- 

 place of some large limpet, remains quite bare ; on 

 it I will place this fine strawberry anemone, with 

 his richly-spotted surface of yellow and red. Next 

 comes an empty whelk-shell, so elaborately covered 

 with the twisted architecture of serpulee, that it is 

 very difficult to recognize its form. This is cer- 

 tainly the handsomest specimen I have. The base 

 is literally covered with small tubes, each possess- 

 ing its beautifully coloured annelid, while, from the 

 centre, six serpulfc of unusual size erect their lime 

 buildings, branching out in semblance of a lady's 

 fan. 



Clinging round the orifice of the shell is a fine 

 "Sample of Actinia clavafa, or Weymouth Anemone, 

 its white and pink body streaked with warty pro- 

 jections of deeper hue, its long and delicate tenta- 

 cles of pearly white. Close by its side a small 

 white crassicornis displays its short but beautifully 

 transparent teutacula, forming a contrast to the 

 elegant length of clavata. And now an oyster- 

 -shell claims attention : this is likewise built over by 

 serpulse, interspersed with small sabellse. Round 

 the edge are three deep water-daisies, with their 

 beautifully shaded disks of brown and pink ; also 

 two delicate miniata are seen drooping from an 

 overhanging bunch of serpulse, their elegant filamen- 

 tous tentacles sweeping the gravel as they fall 

 from the chequered disks of grey and black. 

 Some time since I had a pretty Eolis and a Boris, 

 but both died for want of proper food. 



This piece of rock will just complete our circle 

 round the centre shell. Besides the numerous 

 serpulse, I see there is a hillock of polyps— the 

 orange-tinted Alcyonium digitatum, and the dirty- 

 looking form of one of the tunicated molluscs. Ah ! 

 here is a small and delicate Ophiura throwing its 

 long arms over the tubes in search of prey. Wait 

 a moment while I place this obliquely against the 



glass, for underneath there is the pretty sand and 

 gravel case of the Terebella. I am especially care- 

 ful as to the position of this, for I like to watch the 

 play of his hydra arms with my hand lens. 



Two pieces of coralline {C. officinalis), a fine col- 

 lection of sertularia, the prickly round of Echimis 

 miliaris, a gentleman who, by the bye, plays 

 much the same havoc as a hedgehog might be sup- 

 posed to do, and two grey mullets, complete my 

 stock. 



I leave them to recover from their alarm at being 

 disturbed, and when, to-morrow morning, I view 

 them through the crystal water, beautiful indeed 

 will be my miniature garden of the sea. Here gor- 

 geous flowers of prismatic hues will expand beneath 

 a canopy of green, mingling with tinted, waving 

 palms, ever and anon, mimosa-like, closing their 

 petals with lightning speed as some dark shadow 

 falls across the glass, again to unfold their beau- 

 teous shapes with graceful motion in the limpid 

 water. There the ever-flowing tendrils of the long- 

 armed hydra twine around the sober shade of 

 larger flowers, or creep in careless, idle sport be- 

 tween the coral arches ; while little fish, like silvery 

 birds, cleave the yielding medium, and cause the 

 sea of plumes to wave like grass in summer's 

 breeze. But how softly the gloom of night is clos- 

 ing, hiding the gay vision, only that new beauties 

 may appear. The fairy scene reminds one forcibly 

 of Schleiden's description of the Indian Ocean. A 

 shower of Noctilucsc, fresh dipped from the phos- 

 phorescent sea, and gently poured into the aqua- 

 rium, again illumine the globe. Gaily dancing 

 hither and thither, up and down, scintillating in 

 and out my garden paths, they complete a picture 

 of loveliness beyond my powers of description to 

 portray. If I fail here in describing the view as it 

 appears to the unassisted eye, how shall I attempt 

 to give even a faint idea of the new world which 

 the microscope discovers ? 



I place a filament of ulva in a watch-glass, and, 

 aided by a good objective, a wondrous vision is 

 unfolded, so full of beauty, so exquisitely adapted 

 to the performance of every function, that wonder 

 changes to the deepest reverence, as thought flies 

 upward to the Great First Cause. 



Looking closer we gaze into a green forest teem- 

 ing with life. Busy " builders " arc erecting their 

 homes side by side ; all round them are the living 

 flowers— the harebells of my forest, Vorticillidse— 

 while close at hand, what I may truly term the 

 Victoria Regia — Stephanoceros EicJwrnii — rears 

 its stately crown. Here some active animalcule, 

 bustling and fussy, comes dashing along, right and 

 left, and then off with a jerk to unexplored regions, 

 to be succeeded by others so gentle and graceful, 

 that 



" In their very motion there is rest." 



Weymouth. Walter B. Cole. 



