276 GOBY HUNTING. 



Here we are, then, precariously making our way 

 along the rough yet slippery track, close to the edge 

 of the sea, throwing more attitudes than a posture- 

 master, in our efforts to maintain our footing on the 

 weed-draped stories. Now and then, despite our 

 efforts, down we go ; or our unlucky foot slips in be- 

 tween two stones, and gets an awkward wrench ; or, 

 recovering our equilibrium with a violent jerk, the 

 collecting basket flies out of our hand, and a jingle of 

 glass tells to the rueful ear that one of the jars is 

 smashed. Perhaps an old stager among sea-rocks, 

 who has bought experience with many knocks and 

 rubs and scratches, may venture to give a hint to the 

 novices among his readers, which may save them 

 many a slip. It is this : Never put your foot down 

 on a surface that slopes aivay from you ; a slope 

 towards you is almost always safe. It is the angle of 

 inclination that makes all the difference ; the extent 

 of surface is of little consequence, if it be large enough 

 just to receive the central plant of your foot-sole. 



Here is a likely-looking stone ; the great olive tufts 

 of saw-edged Fucus on whose back indicate that it 

 has lain in its present position for a season at least. 

 We put our fingers under its edge, and heave with a 

 will. ''Tis back-aching work, as you will find after a 

 couple of hours' earnest toil in a full noontide sun in 

 May; but over it comes, and displays a nice little 

 pool of clear shallow water beneath. A twinkling of 

 fins and tails ; a splashing and a dashing of the 

 water ; a hurrying of some dark slender object hither 



