42 INTllODUCTION. 



were expanding their fleshy petals on the rocks ; the slender 

 Nereis, the long-armed Comatula, and the languid^ slow- 

 moving Ilolothuria, together with numerous fish and crus- 

 taceansj contributed to prove that Nature is ever weaving 

 the subtile woof of existence beneath the surface of the 

 waves/^ 



