126 THE OCEAN 



tiny animals known as diatoms and forami- 

 nifera. 



Although extremely small these creatures 

 are marvellously beautiful in form and their 

 fragile, calcareous shells or skeletons are far 

 prettier and more regular than any sea-shell. 

 The variety of shapes is almost endless and 

 yet every species has a form peculiar to itself 

 and may be easily recognised. These little 

 animals may seem of little account and be- 

 neath your notice, but in reality they are of 

 immense importance and without them the 

 great, teeming oceans would be barren, life- 

 less wastes. All over the ocean and at nearly 

 all depths these minute creatures swarm and 

 as in a few gallons of water there may be 

 millions of them, you can realise what incon- 

 ceivably tremendous hordes must be scattered 

 through the seas. 



These tiny things are constantly being de- 

 voured by larger marine animals and upon 

 the larger creatures still larger animals feed, 

 so you see that really a great deal of marine 

 life depends upon these almost microscopic 

 creatures. 



