46 THE HALL OF SHELLS. 
“Oh, please drop his baptismal name,” in- 
terrupted Tom. “Can’t see such a little chap 
if he has a whole alphabet piled up before 
him !” 
When the small individual with the dis- 
tinguished name was arranged for inspection 
the doctor explained: “It is one of the glow- 
worms that at night frmge the waves with 
gold or hang their lamps m the coral groves 
and the seaweed gardens.” His listeners were 
eager for another of the fairy tales of science, 
and he continued: “ Beautiful as are the ocean 
depths by the hght of day, it is left for mght 
to reveal marvels of beauty and_ brillianey 
transcending the most vivid and gorgeous of 
earthly panoramas. 
“Tt is not strange that fairy lore and tales of 
wonder ascribe to the sea charmed gardens and 
palaces glittermg with gold and gems. Even 
their wealth of imagery fails to picture the 
brilhancy of the scene when under the canopy 
of night a strange carnival of light begins. 
The sea, then, has no dark and shadowy cor- 
ners. Unattractive little brown beings searce- 
ly noticed before, are changed as by magic into 
flowers of fire and fruit of gold upon the 
branching coral trees. Sea anemones hang 
their gorgeous blossoms over the reefs or wave 
