VI PREFACE. 



treated of in the Second Chapter, as well as some animal 

 organisms detailed in the Third and occasionally through- 

 out the Work, being very limited, he has not hesitated to 

 introduce passages from the pens of those who have studied 

 in detail the classes to which they belong. 



Other parts of the Work contain more original obser- 

 vations and opinions, many of which will be new to the 

 Eeader. 



As every Work on this subject must however bear, to a 

 greater or less extent, the character of a compilation, the 

 Writer has been less anxious to produce an original book, 

 than to bring together, in an available manner, a large num- 

 ber of facts which will prove interesting to his readers : and 

 whether in his own words, or from the pens of others, he 

 has endeavoured to introduce these facts in an attractive 

 form. Sea Anemones, the flowers of the marine garden, 

 and Madrepores, which may be termed Anemones with coral 

 skeletons, are sure to attract attention for their beauty and 

 curious habits. Then come the Star-fish and Sea Cucum- 

 bers, with their strange self-mutilating propensities. The 



