494 ACTINIA OR SEA-ANEMONE. 



we find them attached to rocks, which are alternately left dry 

 and submerged by the tide. Sometimes, however, the portions 

 which are constantly under water, are selected as their habita- 

 tion ; and they may be observed suspending themselves from the 

 vaults of submarine reefs, or covering the sides of rocks as with 

 a tapestry of flowers. Brilliant as are the colours exhibited by 

 the species common on our own shores, when these are illumined 

 by the direct rays of the sun, they are far surpassed by the 

 glowing hues of the tropical Actiniae ; and the relative abund- 

 ance of the two is nearly the same. Many voyagers have 

 spoken with enthusiasm of the gorgeous spectacle presented by 

 groups of these animals ; and Le Sueur describes himself as with 

 difficulty withdrawing from the contemplation of it, to collect 

 specimens for examination. 



1060. Here it may be thought, that the pursuits of the 

 scientific investigator of Mature are inconsistent with that simple 

 admiration of her beauties, which is capable of affording so high 

 and pure a gratification to the most uninstructed mind. But it 

 may be questioned whether the two are really incompatible, or 

 whether, if rightly directed and cultivated, they do not strengthen 

 each other. Need an acquaintance with the wondrous structure 

 and curious habits of beings like those we are considering, 

 diminish our pleasure in the contemplation of the beauty of their 

 forms and the arrangement of their colours ? And does it not 

 become a source of still higher gratification, a pleasure more 

 purely intellectual because less dependent upon the senses, when 

 we regard these graceful forms and glowing hues, not only as 

 beautiful in themselves, but as forming a part of that great 

 scheme, in which Infinite Benevolence is so wondrously displayed 

 in conjunction with Infinite Wisdom and Infinite Power. There 

 are some who arrogate to themselves the title of " lovers of 

 Nature," and affect to despise the minute acquaintance with 

 detail, which the Man of Science aims at obtaining. They deem 

 such knowledge injurious to that taste for her beauties, which, in 

 their minds, is paramount to every other consideration. And 

 there are others who run to the opposite extreme, overlooking, in 

 their eagerness for scientific research into her more concealed 



