SEA-MINED ROCKS. 245 



pact and solid in its own substance, but much shattered 

 and split. Deep narrow clefts, with wall sides, pene- 

 trate far in, into which you can look down and behold 

 the sea raging. If it were low water and calm, you 

 would see a splendid sight in these fissures ; for their 

 perpendicular sides are studded below tide-marks 

 with various species of anemones, alcyoniums, and 

 other zoophytes, by no means of common occurrence, 

 in amazing profusion. But the sea penetrates much 

 farther than you would suppose on a cursory glance. 

 Look down any of the irregular crevices, and you 

 will see the sea at the bottom, and by peering ob- 

 liquely into the fissures, you will perceive that the 

 whole of this great platform is undermined, and 

 actually overhangs the sea. 



Other evidence of the same fact forces itself upon 

 us in a somewhat unpleasant manner. The muffled 

 roar of the billows is heard beneath our feet ; and at 

 every wave a blow is given to the solid stone on which 

 we are treading, the shock of which is distinctly felt, 

 imparting a peculiar nervous sensation, perhaps not 

 unakin to that produced by an earthquake. We 

 scarcely like to stand here ; though the permanency 

 of the area from year to year tells us that there are 

 pillars stout enough beneath to assure our safety. 

 However, we will be going. 



Before we leave, I will just indicate the situation 

 of a little rock-pool of peculiar luxuriance, a thorough 

 little tank of marine zoology, a well-stocked aquarium 

 of beauties. It is readily accessible, being placed at 



