DISTRIBUTION OF SHORE ANIMALS. 331 



All this may, however, be objected to as somewhat 

 speculative, and it may be well to emphasise the practical 

 nature of this volume by briefly mentioning, in conclusion, 

 some possible lines of work for the shore naturalist. One 

 would naturally seek, in the first place, to acquire a general 

 knowledge of the common forms, and to obtain such an 

 acquaintance with species as to give one a general idea of 

 the meaning of specific differences, and ensure accuracy of 

 observation the last being a quality of somewhat slow 

 growth. When this has been accomplished, the time for 

 specialisation begins. Possible lines of work are many. 

 For example, there is much to be done in regard to colour, 

 even looked at in its most external aspect. The range of 

 colour variation, the relation of colour to environment, and 

 kindred problems, are still untouched in many groups. 

 Most work in this respect has been done in Crustacea, but 

 Echinoderms and sea-anemones may be mentioned as suitable 

 objects for such investigations. Then the diet of many 

 shore animals is still very imperfectly known, and much of 

 the evidence points to the conclusion that in many cases the 

 food varies with the locality. Where this occurs the relation 

 of the diet to local variations in structure is obviously a 

 point of much interest. Again, many shore animals are 

 undoubtedly very variable, and the nature and extent of 

 this variation offers an interesting subject for investigation. 

 It seems probable that among the bristle-worms the range of 

 variation is very extensive, and that systematic investigation 

 would considerably reduce the number of so-called species. 

 In regard to the habits of even the commonest forms much 

 still remains to be done, and the keeping of isolated animals 

 in confinement might yield valuable results in this respect. 



But this book is primarily addressed to the many, rather 

 than to the few who can spend much of their time in 

 scientific pursuits, so we may perhaps, in conclusion, urge 

 the beginner not to allow an interest in form or in 

 "problems" to obscure an interest in animals as living 

 creatures. It is much to learn to appreciate the charm of 

 the crowded shore area, to see the great drama of life which 

 unfolds itself there, as in other regions, to the patient ob- 

 server, and to realise something of the unity of nature, of 

 the order which runs through the apparent chaos of life. 



