THE "WOXDERS OF THE SHORE. 89 



expanded to an astonishing extent. The space 

 surrounding the lips is commonly fawn-color, or 

 rich chestnut-hrown ; the star or vandyked circle 

 rich red, pale vermilion, and sometimes the most 

 brilliant emerald green, as brilliant as the gorget 

 of a humming-bird." 



And what does this exquisitely delicate crea- 

 ture do with its pretty mouth ? Alas for fact ! 

 It sips no honey-dew, or fruits from paradise. 



" I put a minute spider, as large as a pin's 

 head, into the water, pushing it down to the 

 coral. The instant it touched the tip of a ten- 

 tacle, it adhered, and was drawn in with the 

 surrounding tentacles between the plates. With 

 a lens I saw the small mouth slowly open, and 

 move over to that side, the hps gaping unsym- 

 mctrically, while with a movement as imper- 

 ceptible as that of the hour-hand of a watch, 

 tlie tiny prey was carried along between the 

 plates to the corner of the mouth. The mouth, 

 however, moved most, and at h.-ngth reached the 

 edges of the plates, gradually closed upon the 

 insect, and then returned (o its usual place in 

 the centre." 



Mr. Gesso next tried tlie fairy of the walking 

 mouth witli a house-fly, who escaped only by 



