OF SEA-ANEMONES. 87 



The foregoing pages are a contribution (how- 

 ever unworthy it be) to the great cause, and it 

 is an unspeakable pleasure and privilege to be 

 able to add even a single stone to that great 

 pyramid of Inductive Science, whose base extends 

 over the whole earth, and whose summit is now 

 hidden, but shall hereafter be revealed in the 

 Heavens. In this manner the humblest and most 

 unlearned mind^ provided only it love Nature 

 honestly and with all its powers, may join in 

 the prophetic strain of the great lyric poet of the 

 Latin world, and (though it place a construction on 

 the poet's words which he did not contemplate) may 

 yet sing perpetually and thankfully in the gi'eat 

 chorus of its fellow- workers : — 



" Exegi monumentum sere perennius, 

 Eegalique situ pyramidum altius, 

 Quod non imber edax, non Aquila impotens, 

 Possit dii-uere, aut innumerabilis 

 Annorum series, aut fuga temporum." 



I2 



