MARINE ZOOLOGY AS AN AMUSEMENT. 21 



quirements. This may be illustrated by an obser- 

 vation, made in a northern university, by a celebrated 

 professor of Greek to a no less celebrated professor 

 of natural history. The latter, intently pursuing his 

 researches into the anatomy of a Nudibranche lying 

 before him, was startled by the sudden entrance of 

 his brother professor, who contemptuously advised 

 him to give up skinning slugs, and take to more 

 manly pursuits. 



There is one light in which the study of marine 

 zoology may be regarded, without necessarily offend- 

 ing the susceptibilities of the learned, or exciting 

 the sneers of the ignorant. The subject may be 

 pursued as an amusement a pastime, if you will; 

 and it is in no higher character than that of a 

 holiday caterer, that the author asks the reader's 

 company to the sea-side. No lessons but the simplest 

 are attempted to be conveyed in this little volume, 

 and these in as quiet and homely a style as 

 possible. 



Even in the light of an amusement, the author 

 has something to say in behalf of his favourite study. 

 He believes it to be as interesting, and fully as 

 instructive as many infinitely more popular. For 

 example : The sportsman may love to hear the 

 whirr of the startled pheasant, as it springs from the 

 meadow, and seeks safety in an adjoining thicket. 

 I am as much pleased with the rustling of a simple 

 crab, that runs for shelter, at my approach, into a 



