CYTHERE. 289 



which are within reach of the tide, and the water of which is 

 kept sweet and wholesome by being thus changed twice 

 during every twenty-four hours. In such delightful pools, 

 clear as crystal, when left undisturbed by the receding tide, 

 these interesting animals may be found, often in great num- 

 bers, sporting about amongst the confervas and corallines 

 which so elegantly and fancifully fringe their edges and 

 decorate their sides, and which form such a glorious sub- 

 aqueous forest for myriads of living creatures to disport them- 

 selves in. Sheltered amongst the f umbrageous multitudes ' 

 of stems and branches, and nestling in security in their forest 

 glades, they are safe from the ravages of the advancing tide, 

 though lashed up to fury by the opposing rocks which for 

 a moment check its advance ; and weak and powerless though 

 such pigmies seem to be, they are yet found as numerous and 

 active in their little wells, after the shore* have been deso- 

 lated by the mighty force of the tide which has been driven 

 in in thunder by the power of a fierce tempest, as when the 

 waves have rolled gently and calmly to the shore in their 

 sweetest murmurs."* The various species have never 

 been observed to swim; they walk among the branches. 

 Cythere elavida, Miiller. — Sheiloblong, narrow, smooth, 



* British Eutomostraca, p. 167. 



U 



