THE WONDERS OF THE SHORE. 115 
you some trouble, such a firm hold have the delicate 
white sucking arms, which fringe each of their five 
edges. You see at the head nothing but a yellow 
dimple ; for eating and breathing are suspended till 
the return of tide; but once settled in a jar of salt- 
water, each will protrude a large chocolate-coloured 
head, tipped with a ring of ten feathery gills, look- 
ing very much like a head of “curled kale,” but 
of the loveliest white and primrose; in the centre 
whereof lies perdu a mouth with sturdy teeth—if 
indeed they, as well as the whole inside of the 
beast, have not been lately got rid of, and what 
you see be not a mere bag, without intestine or 
other organ: but only for the time being. For 
hear it, worn-out epicures, and old Indians who 
bemoan your livers, this little Holothuria knows a 
secret which, if he could tell it, you would be glad 
to buy of him for thousands sterling. To him blue 
pill and muriatic acid are superfluous, and travels 
to German Brunnen a waste of time. Happy Holo- 
thuria! who possesses really the secret of everlast- 
ing youth, which ancient fable bestowed on the 
i 2 
