PREFACE. 



The substance of these pages originally ajDpeared in 

 Blackwood's Magazine during the years 1856 and 

 1857. They are now republished with considerable 

 alterations and additions, which, it is hoped, will ren- 

 der them more useful to the amateur and student of 

 Natural History. 



I have endeavoured to furnish the visitor to the sea- 

 side with plain directions, by means of which he may 

 study and enjoy the marvels of ocean-life ; and to pre- 

 sent such descriptions of the animals, and the wonders 

 of their organisation, as may interest the reader by his 

 own fireside. With regard to the former, having had 

 to ascertain almost everything for myself, I have tried 

 to make my experience available for others ; and the 

 remembrance of early difficulties has suggested the 

 statement of many details which to the well-informed 

 may appear trivial, but for which I should myself have 

 been very grateful. The papers in Blackwood were 



