THE OCTOPUS. 195 



into an aquarium of huge proportions, crowded 

 with endless varieties of curious sea-monsters; 

 although grotesque and ugly to look at, yet all 

 alike displaying the wondrous works of Creative 

 wisdom. In all the cosy little nooks and corners 

 of the harbour the great seawrack (Macrocystis} 

 grows wildly, having a straight round stem that 

 comes up from the bottom, often with a stalk 

 three hundred feet long; reaching the surface, 

 it spreads out two long tapering leaves that float 

 upon the water : this sea-forest is the favourite 

 hunting-ground of octopi. 



1 do not think, in its native element, an 

 octopus often catches prey on the ground or on 

 the rocks, but waits for them just as the spider 

 does, only the octopus converts itself into a web, 

 and a fearful web too. Fastening one arm to 

 a stout stalk, stiffening out the other seven, 

 one would hardly know it from the wrack 

 amongst which it is concealed. Patiently he 

 bides his time, until presently a shoal of fish 

 come gaily on, threading their way through the 

 sea-trees, joyously happy, and little dreaming 

 that this lurking monster, so artfully concealed, 

 is close at hand. Two or three of them rub 

 against the arms : fatal touch ! As though a 

 powerful electric shock had passed through the 



o 2 



