I30 THE OCEAN 



Oftentimes the strong lines and sharp hooks 

 of these fishermen become entangled in the 

 strange animal growths at the bottom of the 

 sea or odd and remarkable creatures are cap- 

 tured accidentally. Such unusual specimens, 

 brought home by the fishermen, and many of 

 them have never been obtained in any other 

 v^ay, have been of incalculable value in learn- 

 ing what we know of ocean life. 



Not only have the inhabitants of the ocean 

 taught us a great deal about the sea and its 

 life, but in addition they have been of the ut- 

 most importance in helping us to solve many 

 mysteries of life and of the laws of nature 

 which have a great bearing on the whole ani- 

 mal kingdom. Here, in the teeming sea, the 

 weak invariably succumbs to the strong, un- 

 less provided with some means of protection 

 which enables it to escape destruction by its 

 enemies. As a result of this, many of the in- 

 habitants of the sea exhibit marvellous and 

 peculiar forms, colours, or habits which at 

 first sight appear without significance or rea- 

 son, but which are really of the most vital 

 importance to the creatures themselves and 



