80 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 
to their species, some being a few lines and others one or 
two feet in height. They differ considerably also in appear- 
ance, but they are exceedingly beautiful in all their various 
forms ; some, as they spread over the surface of a rock or a 
seaweed, resembling miniature marine forests, and others at- 
tached, it may be to a shell, and gracefully waving like ele- 
gant feathers. With a single exception, afterwards to be 
mentioned, they are all inhabitants of the sea, growing on 
rocks, shells, seaweeds, crabs, corallines, etc. Several of 
them that are of considerable height grow erect, but they 
are so flexible that they sustain no injury from being tossed 
and agitated by the waves. The oak which will not bend 
may be uprooted by the storm: the feathery grass may be 
laid level with the earth, but it rises when the blast is over. 
The flexible zoophyte not only outlives the buffeting of the 
billows, but by its graceful convolutions seems to wanton in 
the storm. How great the wisdom in suiting the structure 
to the frequent commotions of the watery element! How 
great the mercy when by the inworking of .grace the Chris- 
tian can say, “ God is our refuge and strength, a very pre- 
sent help in trouble; therefore will not we fear, though the 
earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried 
into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar 
