ANIMAL-PLANTS AND SEA-WEEDS 131 



Fig. 84, where a small fragment of the same 

 stony sea-weed as appeared in Fig. 82 is given : 

 but in this instance the sea-weed is not alone in 

 fulfilling the building functions assigned to it by 

 Nature. It is accompanied perhaps more or less 

 interrupted in its task by other organisms, which 

 are diligently working for the same end. On the 

 lower joints of the frond stem will be seen a 

 rough incrustation, which is formed of the cellular 

 tubes of a form of zoophyte, while above these 

 are a number of other minute animal organisms, 

 that require similar materials to build up their 

 own dwelling-places. 



Each wrought alone, yet altogether wrought 



Unconscious, not unworthy instruments 



By which a hand invisible was rearing 



A new creation in the secret deep. 



Omnipotence wrought in them, with them, by them ; 



Hence what Omnipotence alone could do 



Worms did. I saw the living pile ascend, 



The mausoleum of its architects, 



Still dying upwards as their labours closed. 



Slime the material, but the slime was turned 



To adamant by their petrific touch ; 



Frail were their frames, ephemeral their lives, 



Their masonry imperishable. 



J. MONTGOMERY. 



