HALF AN HOUR WITH PREPARATIONS. 23 



the habits of animals in this way, that you can 

 thoroughly understand their structure, or perceive 

 all their real beauties. And, as you may readily 

 imagine, the task is anything but an unpleasant 

 one, especially on one of the rainy days aforemen- 

 tioned. You require two or three separate glasses, 

 because we will suppose you humane enough to 

 prevent any undue massacre of their contents, as 

 would be the case if you crowded all your " finds " 

 into the same bowl. For instance, it would be as 

 well to keep your anemones apart. They will look 

 better, and present a very pretty sight, if you have 

 been fortunate enough to secure several species, when 

 they expand their tentacles and seem to be what 

 popular fancy has dubbed them "flowers of the 

 sea." 



Anemone collecting is always the most popular of 

 any of the engagements of which we have been 

 speaking, and we cannot wonder when we consider 

 the beauty of the objects, especially after they have 

 been kept in a bell-glass a day or two. But the 

 task of obtaining them is not always the easiest or 

 cleanest, although there is a spice of fun about it 

 that perhaps seasons the attempt. We will suppose 

 you have arrived at your destination, have hired 

 your rooms, and are well satisfied with them, have 

 got your bell-glasses and arranged them near the 

 window, and all that you require now is to fill them. 

 Of course, if the place you have selected be any well- 

 frequented haunt, there will sure to be a guide-book, 



