with another observation, in the light of which 

 the preceding particulars will assume an unex- 

 pected significance as well as reveal their relation 

 to the point of my theme. 



We examined at some length the flatworm in 

 the vial. Immediately upon its introduction into 

 its glass prison, it glued itself to one of the plane 

 sides and remained motionless; no attempts on our 

 part by shaking or jarring the enclosed creature 

 could disturb it from the place of its choice. It was 

 evident that our captive did not choose even to 

 crawl. But more than our temporary interest was 

 now aroused; therefore, knowing that further ob- 

 servation would better be served by many than 

 by a single specimen, we decided to hunt for more. 



Time was passing faster than we knew. The 

 silky rhythmic swish of harbor water creeping over 

 the sands, ever nearer and higher with the incom- 

 ing tide, was the first sound to break the vast pre- 

 vailing silence. And it was this that awoke us to 

 the realization of the fleeting time. In another hour 

 the tide pool would be as one with the softly surg- 

 ing sea. The sun was now almost overhead; 

 shortly would come the task of loading our little 

 boat — then the long row home. 



[178] 



