TALITRUS LOCI) ST A. 21 



mentation has induced a heat so great that he could 

 scarcely bear his hand. 



When the summer is hot, and no moisture exists be- 

 neath the decomposing seaweed, they burrow into the 

 sand two or three inches deep, until they find moisture 

 enough to suit their comfort ; whence they come out to 

 feed upon any carrion left by the retiring tide. OfFal, 

 which would otherwise decompose and infect the air, is 

 thus by their assistance often rapidly removed. They are 

 not very dainty feeders. We have seen thera enjoying 

 their repast upon a common earth-worm ; drowned pup- 

 pies and other mammals, afford a luxury to thousands ; 

 and, when they can get nothing else, they are content to 

 feed upon each other. 



Mr. Adam White, in his excellent little manual, tells 

 us that millions of these creatures were seen by Paley 

 springing in the air so lightly that, at a little distance off, 

 they marked the circuit of the shore as a line of mist. 

 The religious mind of the observer saw in this shadowy 

 wall the action of expressed gratitude for existence. 



Upon the sands of Whitsand Bay, our friend Mr. Swain 

 informs us that one day, at a picnic party, he saw *' not 

 millions, but cartloads," of this species lying piled to- 

 gether along the margin of the sea. They hopped and 

 leaped about, devouring each other as if for very wan- 

 tonness. A handkerchief, which a lady let fall amongst 

 them, was soon reduced to a piece of open work by the 

 minute jaws of these small creatures. 



The numerical abundance of this species is kept within 

 bounds by enemies more powerful than they can be to 

 one another. The ring plover and other shore birds 

 rapidly pick them up, and little beetles prey upon them, 

 among which the Cillenum laterale and Broscus cephalotes 

 have been observed. 



