148 Secrets of the Ocean [FOURTH WEEK 



there is scarcely a handful of soil, delicate harebells sway 

 and defy the blasts, enduring because of their very pliancy 

 and weakness. 



If we watch awhile we will see a line of blackish sea- 

 weed and wet sand appearing along the edge of the water, 

 showing that the tide has turned and begun to recede. 

 In an hour it has ebbed a considerable distance, and if we 



BARNACLES. 



clamber down over the great weather-worn rocks the 

 hardy advance guard of that wonderful world of life under 

 the water is seen. Barnacles whiten the top of every 

 rock which is reached by the tide, although the water may 

 cover them only a short time each day. But they flourish 

 here in myriads, and the shorter the chance they have at 

 the salt water the more frantically their little feathery 

 feet clutch at the tiny food particles which float around 



