38 THE OCEAN. 



to be met with, hollowed out of the rocks on the 

 shores of our country, which are within reach of 

 the tide, and the water of which is kept sweet and 



Marine Entomostraca (Cythere albo-maculata and Cyclops chelifer). 



wholesome by being thus changed twice during 

 every twenty-four hours. In such delightful little 

 ponds, clear as crystal when left undisturbed by the 

 receding tide, these interesting little creatures may 

 be found often in great numbers, sporting about 

 amongst the confervas and corallines which so 

 elegantly and fancifully fringe their edges and de- 

 corate their sides, and which form such a glorious 

 subaqueous forest for myriads of living creatures 

 to disport themselves in. Sheltered amongst the 

 " umbrageous multitude" of stems and branches, 

 and nestling in security in their forest glades, they 

 are safe from the fury of the advancing tide, though 

 lashed up to thunder by the opposing rocks which 

 for a moment check its advance ; and weak and 

 powerless though such pigmies seem to be, they 

 are yet found as numerous and active in their 

 little wells, after the shores have been desolated 



