imen — is a brilliant example of wherein the ex- 

 ception proves the rule. For their active presence in 

 the shallow shore-water is almost invariably coin- 

 cident with a season of terrestrial drought: when 

 the sea is little diluted by the added rainfall wash- 

 ing from the land. 



As to the soundness of the interpretations of my 

 other facts, let us pass over the space of a month, 

 let us turn to the tanks to see what testimony is 

 therein vouchsafed. 



Thus we find ourselves as before, except in rela- 

 tion to time. It is now just past three o'clock in the 

 morning. The darting beam of my electric torch 

 picks out various objects as I pass along the fa- 

 miliar bench, revealing that certain changes have 

 been made in the arrangement of a month ago. 

 The same tanks are here, the same seaweeds thrive 

 in them; but for the most part they are occupied 

 by different creatures. Not a serpent-star is in evi- 

 dence. Here is one with a holothurian, its purple 

 tentacles weaving about over the spot where it has 

 sunk its body into the sand, and as my light plays 

 on it for a moment, the sensitive feelers suddenly 

 retract, then slowly expand to resume their weav- 

 ing. Close at hand is another large glass affair 



[65] 



