BENEATH TROPIC SEAS 



over bits of coral or to fan loose strands of seaweed 

 away from some edible morsel. Even in this first 

 season's brief study of reef life I saw the occupation 

 and sturdy defense of definite homes, I noted 

 curious sleeping postures and quarters, and ex- 

 tremes of emotion which were reflected not only 

 in bodily actions and in the motives of the fish, 

 but in the instantaneous shift of individual pattern 

 and color beyond anything which I have ever 

 considered possible. 



All this serves to bring closer together the lives 

 of the lowly vertebrates and those of our more 

 familiar terrestrial two- and four-footed fellow 

 creatures, who share with us today this little 

 whirling ball of earth and water. 



164 



