INTRODUCTORY. 



read, we may suggest that it is the large and in- 

 creasing section of the nature-loving public who 

 indulge in the use of the microscope, as a source of 

 instruction and amusement, that awakens our sym- 

 pathies and, as it seems to us, desire and require 

 some introduction to the marvels of marine life, as 

 a preliminary to more specific knowledge, the direc- 

 tion of which they will thereafter be better able to 

 choose. Unless we are mistaken in the wants of 

 this large group of workers and readers, they desire 

 some volume which gives, within a reasonable com- 

 pass, an outline of the structure and habits of a 

 number of families of marine animals, not otherwise 

 to be obtained except by wading through several 

 volumes, and learning a copious vocabulary of 

 technicalities. With this interpretation of what is 

 desirable, we have attempted to fulfil the conditions 

 in such a manner as to be able to appeal also to 

 those who, without microscopical proclivities, seek 

 an introduction to these "Toilers in the Sea." 



Wherefore are coral reefs and their builders 

 included, when they are tropical, and beyond the 

 reach and experience of the ordinary British reader ? 

 Simply because our scope is wider than to provide 

 a mere introduction to the marine zoology of our 

 own shores, a fact accomplished beforehand, since 

 such a restriction is hardly compatible with a general 

 survey of ocean homes and their builders. And if 



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