8 OCEAN LIFE. 



other direction, as we approach, crowding into the 

 narrowest of cracks, whence they peer out with their 

 curious stalked eyes, while they stand ready to de- 

 fend themselves with their jaw-like claws. If we 

 manifest no hostile intent, they will quickly come 

 creeping down again, and begin anew the business 

 of the day. How their glossy shells shine ! — white, 

 green, red, or brown, or perhaps combining all these 

 colors in harmonious patterns. 



There is such a thing as getting into sympathy 

 with all these humble animals; and, as you lie on 

 the rocks and admire the wondrous combinations of 

 form and color, equaling in beauty the finest gardens 

 of the dry land, there is such a thing as feeling an 

 intense sympathy with all these humble creatures, 

 and losing all thoughts that you are here for study in 

 the consciousness that you are among friends. 



How you wnsh to become acquainted with them 

 all ; to learn their habits and enter into their instincts 

 and feelings ! But, as among our own kind, we 

 cannot possibly become acquainted with one in a 

 thousand of all the good people on the earth, so, here 

 in the sea, we must necessarily choose our special 

 friends, and wait for future opportunities to become 

 better acquainted with the others. 



For good reasons, to my mind, I have chosen the 

 Molhisks as special objects of study, and now wish to 

 introduce them to any one who is seeking to make 

 pleasant acquaintances. I will vouch for it that there 

 is not one of them that carries a bag of poison, or 

 that will harm you in the least ; and if you only 

 approach them in a friendly spirit, they will stand 

 ready to give you the best of their possessions, and 



