The Mighty Deep 



world of Anemones. So vast are their numbers, 

 so rapid is their increase, that no antagonistic 

 forces can annihilate them. 



It has been said that if every anemone on 

 British shores were one day swept away, carried 

 off by an army of ardent naturalists, or destroyed 

 by waves in some tremendous tempest, the next 

 inflowing tide would bring a fresh supply, suffi- 

 cient to fill all gaps. 



Not less numerous, perhaps far more numerous, 

 are the countless hordes of Jelly-fishes, so called, 

 though they are not fishes of Sea-nettles, so- 

 called, though they are not nettles. 



They travel freely through the ocean depths, 

 like fishes ; and they sting sharply, like nettles. 

 Yet they are neither. 



Another name given to them is that of " Sun- 

 fishes," because in calm weather they often float 

 close to the surface of the sea, as if delighting 

 to bask in sunshine. One could almost imagine 

 that, after the fashion of modern " luminous 

 paint," they are taking in sunlight, to carry stores 

 thereof later into dark depths, for the benefit 

 of less favoured comrades. But let a heavy 

 storm arise, and swiftly these fragile creatures 

 wend their way into the placid depths, beyond 

 reach of wind and wave. 



202 



