ACALEPH^E. 41 



CHAPTEK IV. 



ACALEPH^E (Sea-nettles, or Jelly-fish). 



" As floating by or rolling on the shore, 

 Those living Jellies which the flesh inflame, 

 Fierce as a nettle and from that its name. 

 Some in huge masses, some that you may bring 

 In the small compass of a lady's ring. 

 Figured by hand divine there 's not a gem 

 Wrought by man's art can be compared to them ; 

 Soft, brilliant, through the wave they glow, 

 And make the moonbeams brighter where they flow." 



CRABBE. 



THERE are few persons, whether students of marine 

 life or not, that are altogether strangers to the charm 

 of leaning idly in a clear summer's day over a boat's 

 sides, and of looking down upon the bright sands 

 below. The cloudlessness of the sky, and the sultri- 

 ness of the atmosphere, are in unison with the calm 

 mood of the hour. As you dip your hand into the 

 water, and experience a delicious sensation of coolness 

 thrilling through you, you can hardly imagine the 

 sea to be a distinct element from your own. I must 

 confess, for my own part, to have found it easy under 



