CHAP. V. DEFENCES OP MOLLUSCA. 175 



from the pores of its body a thick slimy mucilage, 

 which renders it difficult to make any impression upon 

 its body, and is, no doubt, extremely offensive to many 

 of its brute enemies. The spines of the Echinidce, or 

 sea eggs, being movable, can be employed like those 

 of the hedgehogs, and, probably, secure them from 

 many injuries. Among the Medusa, and other similar 

 families, we find many animals, however, which are 

 endowed with more active qualities. A species of me- 

 dusa, common in the Mediterranean, has all the irri- 

 tating properties of the nettle, stinging the hands, and 

 causing instant inflammation upon the skin. The same 

 property is possessed by several others, found by us 

 between the tropics, and on the coast of Spain. The 

 British species of Aplisia are said to cause considerable 

 itching upon being handled ; but there are very many 

 in the Mediterranean,, which we know, from experience, 

 to be perfectly harmless. None, however, have yet 

 been found, which can inflict permanent injury upon 

 man. But let us remember that the " caverned cells" 

 of the mighty deep conceal innumerable myriads of 

 creeping things, which human eyes have not, and never 

 will, behold ; all deriving life, and enjoying existence, 

 from Him who is the fountain of love, and who has 

 delighted to call them into being, that they might enjoy 

 the effects of his bounty. Could the eye of science 

 penetrate these inaccessible regions, we should, doubt- 

 less, discover the same variety of habits and of in- 

 stincts, the same care and contrivance for the preservation 

 of the species, and the same endless diversity of stra- 

 tagem by which the stronger prey upon the weaker, as 

 is seen upon the dry land. " The earth, O Lord, is 

 full of thy riches. So is the great and wide sea, also, 

 wherein are creeping things innumerable, both small 

 and great beasts. These wait all upon Thee, that Thou 

 mayest give them their meat in due season." 



