THE WONDERS OF THE SHORE. 151 



which are not uncommon, and of such exceeding 

 loveliness, that it is worth while to take a little 

 trouble to get them. The one is Bellis, the sea- 

 daisy, of which there is an excellent description 

 and plates in Mr. Gosse's " Rambles in Devon," 

 pp. 24 - 32. 



It is common at Ilfracombe, and at Torquay ; 

 and indeed everywhere where there are cracks 

 and small holes in limestone or slate rock. In 

 these holes it fixes its base, and expands its 

 delicate brown-gray star-like flowers on the 

 surface : but it must be chipped out with 

 hammer and chisel, at the expense of much 

 dirt and patience ; for the moment it is touched 

 it contracts deep into tlie rock, and all that is 

 left of the daisy flower, some two or three inches 

 across, is a blue knot of half the size of a 

 marble. IJut it will cx[)and again, after a day 

 or two of ca[)tivity, and well repay all the 

 trouble which it has cost. 



The other is JJianthns ; which you may find 

 adhering to fresh oysters in any dredger or 

 trawler's skiff, a lengthened mass of olive, pale 

 rose, or snow-wliitc jelly. The rose and the 

 white are the more beautiful ; the very maiden 

 fiuccns of all the beautiful tribe. If you find 



