Mr. A. H. Hassall's Catalogue of Irish Zoophytes, 283 



Not amongst the least pleasurable of the emotions which 

 we experience in the study and contemplation of these beau- 

 tiful productions, is that feeling of health and vigour which 

 attends us in our excursions in search of them. At one time 

 wandering upon the smooth and golden strand, exploring 

 among the tangled sea-wrack left by the receding tide for 

 these minute treasures of creation ; now diving into some deep 

 and dark caverns, in which the waves roar and dash against 

 the rocks with terrific violence, but still producing an effect 

 upon the mind pleasing and enchaining ; at another stretching 

 oneself at full length beside some clear and liquid pool, in 

 which the most beautiful and diversified landscapes may be 

 described — rocks, trees, shrubs and flowers in miniature, all 

 are palpable to the least imaginative mind, the colours of the 

 sea-weed rivalling the brightest and most varied tints of an 

 autumnal forest. 



How superior, in the purity and satisfaction resulting from 

 their pursuit, are the pleasures which we derive from the con- 

 templation of the works of God, as manifested in the crea- 

 tion, to those sought after, by so many, and with such eager- 

 ness, in crowded and bustling cities ! 



^* I care not, Fortune, what you me deny ; 

 You cannot rob me of free nature's grace ; 

 You cannot shut the windows of the sky 

 Through which Aurora shows her bright'ning face ; 

 You cannot bar my constant feet to trace 

 The lonely shore at dewy morn and eve. 

 Let health my nerves and finer fibres brace, 

 And I their toys to the great children leave : 

 Of nature, feeling, virtue,' nought can me bereave." 



Among the uses of these minims of creation, one of the high- 

 est appears to me to be, that of exciting in the mind of man a 

 spirit of inquiry, calculated to detach his thoughts from the 

 sordid selfishness of worldly occupation, and to raise them 

 with feelings of admiration and love to that Omnipotent 

 Being, who at the first formation of things pronounced all 

 his works " very good.^^ 



Entreating the attention of the Society for a short time 

 longer, I shall at once proceed to the consideration of the 

 matter of the ' Supplement^ itself. 



The species are enumerated in the order in which they oc- 

 cur in Dr. Johnston's ^Zoophytes.' 



Coryne squamata. Found growing upon Fucus siliquosus, opposite 

 Sea-point, south side of Dublin Bay, above low-water mark. 



Hermia glandulosa. This species sometimes attains a height of 

 three inches. The glandular heads of the ten taenia appear to be 



