V 



And yet it is seriously asserted that there is 

 little of innate beauty — little of human interest — 

 in the lives of the lower animals of the sea . . . 



Well, possibly it is because it is partly as an 

 artist that I appraise these lowly creatures as some- 

 thing more than objects fit merely to classify, dis- 

 sect, or subject to experimental tortures . . . and 

 forget; yet such sensitiveness to beauty as may be 

 mine does not distort the perspective of the natur- 

 alist in me. The truth is, in all my relations with 

 these humble creatures, I am the naturalist first 

 and the artist afterward; notwithstanding, I do 

 not on that account feel that I should be insensible 

 to the thrill of beauty whether it be either in the 

 abstract or the concrete : whether it be in a mode of 

 living or in form or color. After all, Science and 

 Art are similar. They both, so to speak, are minor 

 deities subserving one greater god, Truth. And 

 for their adoration the devotee need burn no dif- 

 ferent incense on the altar of one than that which 

 is offered on the altar of the other. Nevertheless, 

 in my contacts with that wonder-world, there come 

 tremendous moments that are neither of Science 



[38] 



