CRABS. 31 



whilst crustaceans, as of animated enamel work, ac- 

 companied by fish, like living gems, troop restlessly in 

 and out and to and fro, in an endless throng. 



Anthozoa, those living, ocean blossoms, spread their 

 petals of a thousand hues, whilst the family of Medu- 

 sidce float like shadows through the tranquil depths. 



" Kow it is pleasant in the summer eve, 

 AVhen a broad shore retiring waters leave. 

 Awhile to wait upon the firm fair sand, 

 AVhen all is calm at sea, all still at land ;/ '^^' ^ ..^v*^'"'^ '"^ "^^ 

 Andthere the ocean's produce to explor^.Qa ^^ ^^^ p Y \ :3Q 



As floating by, or rolling on the shore ' , ,^i ^ ^ / -^ 



Those living jellies which the flesh inflame,,^^\ *-'«>'^ / "^ — 



Fierce as a nettle, and from that their nanie'^/.. \^/V? a S*^'*' x -^^ 

 Some in huge masses, some that you may brisg y /*, V v^' 



In the small compass of a lady's ring : ^"-"^---L..—— -'^ 



Figured by Hand Divine — there's not a gem 

 "Wrought by man's art to be compared to them ; 

 Soft, brilliant, tender, through tJie wave they glow. 

 And make the moonbeams brighter where they flow. 

 Involved in sea- wrack, here you find a race, 

 "Which science doubting, knows not where to place. 

 On shell or stone is dropped the embryo seed. 

 And quickly vegetates a vital breed ; 

 "While thus with pleasing wonder you inspect 

 Treasures the vulgar in theu' scorn reject. 

 See as they float along th' entangled weeds. 

 Slowly approach, upborne on bladdery beads. 

 "Wait till they land, and you shall then behold 

 The fiery sparks those tangled fronds infold 

 Myriads of living points ; the unaided eye 

 Can but the fire and not the form descry. j 

 And now your view upon the ocean turn, 

 And there the splendour of the waves discern : 



