80 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



to their species, some being a few lines and others one or 

 two feet in height. They differ considerably also in appear- 

 ance, but they are exceedingly beautiful in all their various 

 forms ; some, as they spread over the surface of a rock or a 

 seaweed, resembling miniature marine forests, and others at- 

 tached, it may be to a shell, and gracefully waving like ele- 

 gant feathers. With a single exception, afterwards to be 

 mentioned, they are all inhabitants of the sea, growing on 

 rocks, shells, seaweeds, crabs, corallines, etc. Several of 

 them that are of considerable height grow erect, but they 

 are so flexible that they sustain no injury from being tossed 

 and agitated by the waves. The oak which will not bend 

 may be uprooted by the storm : the feathery grass may be 

 laid level with the earth, but it rises when the blast is over. 

 The flexible zoophyte not only outlives the buffeting of the 

 billows, but by its graceful convolutions seems to wanton in 

 the storm. How great the wisdom in suiting the structure 

 to the frequent commotions of the watery element ! How 

 great the mercy when by the inworking of grace the Chris- 

 tian can say, " God is our refuge and strength, a very pre- 

 sent help in trouble ; therefore will not we fear, though the 

 earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried 

 into the midst of the sea ; though the waters thereof roar 



