128 



CHAPTEE XXI. 



STRESS OF WEATHER. THE FLOAT. — EGG-BAGS. YOUNG. PURPLE DYE, 



'merrily o'er THE WATERS BLUE.' 



lANTHIUID.^. 



The rough winds blowing in upon us from the Atlantic, 

 particularly during the latter part of summer and autumn, 

 sometimes drive upon our western shores large fleets of 

 floating mollusca, whose natural habitat is upon the broad 

 expanse of the great ocean. Among these the pretty purple 

 lantliina sometimes appears in large numbers, floating in 

 full activity on the surface of the waters, or cast helplessly 

 on the shore, staining the sands or shingle with a band of 

 reddish-blue. 



The means by which the lanthina keeps itself suspended 

 at the top of the water, is one of those wonderful contrivances 

 of nature which we are so often called upon to admire. The 



