THE SCHOOL OF THE SHORE 9 



mouths to the limit of their gape, and gaze, as 

 it seems, for several seconds, as if in rapt 

 attention, each at the patch of bright red on 

 the other's mouth." 



A near view shows that there is haunt 

 within haunt. There are sandy corners and 

 seaweedy corners, sheltered coral basins and 

 open reefs, shady places and illumined places, 

 and all the different levels from the floor to 

 the surface. Of course there are bold wanderers 

 that go everywhere, but on the whole each 

 creature has its favourite and habitual corner, 

 to which it is particularly well suited, especially 

 as regards its colour and patterns. And different 

 creatures tenant the same place at different 

 times : thus, when evening approaches, the 

 day-feeding fishes disappear, and out of the 

 recesses of the reef come night-feeding fishes, 

 first Jn twos and threes, and then in schools. 

 There are many " Box and Cox " arrangements 

 in Nature. 



The big result of close observation of the 

 shore-haunt is to show that it includes a great 

 variety of surroundings, and that many a 

 creature has a particular niche where it is 

 most at home. 



