254 SEASIDE DIVINITY. 



not subject to any further change the young 

 of the acorn-shells, and likewise those of the 

 barnacles, have been discovered by Mr. J. V. 

 Thomson, Mr. Owen, and other naturalists, to be 

 minute creatures of an oval form, furnished with 

 six pairs of legs, terminated by hairs, and capable 

 of impelling them with great rapidity through 

 the water, by acting in concert with each other, 

 like oars all pulled at the same moment. After 

 passing some time wandering hither and thither 

 through their native element, these singular 

 creatures select the place of their future per- 

 manent abode, and attaching themselves to it, 

 begin immediately to assume the form of an 

 acorn-shell or a barnacle, as the case may be; 

 their organs of locomotion, and even of sight, cease 

 to exist, and they henceforth depend for their 

 food on what happens to come in their way, 

 having no longer any power to pursue their prey. 

 Such alterations of condition and form are 

 precisely the opposite of that which occurs in the 

 instance of the jelly-fish already spoken of. 

 These in their earlier stages of growth are attached 

 to a stalk, and are successively thrown off like 

 living buds, to wander through the watery plains ; 

 while the others, free to rove in their youth, 

 become fixed to one locality, where they attain 

 maturity. How marvellous the variety of those 

 works which proclaim the wisdom of the mighty 

 Creator ! 



