28 HALF AN HOUR WITH PREPARATIONS. 



ticular specimen has just undergone. However, 

 you bottle it, and, when you return, you place it and 

 others you may have obtained, in a separate bell- 

 glass, with fresh sea-water. It will perhaps be a 

 day or two before they have got over their change, 

 and you must not be surprised even if you see them 

 lying inert at the bottom of the glass. But after a 

 few days your patience will be rewarded, and your 

 extemporised aquarium be converted into a living 

 garden. 



A hammer and 'chisel will be equally useful to you 

 should you see any Pholades imbedded in the rocks, 

 and comfortably ensconced in the holes they have ex- 

 cavated in a way it still puzzles many naturalists to 

 understand. To obtain the portion of rock in which 

 a specimen is lodged, is rather a difficult process ; 

 and you must expect the well-directed siphon of the 

 animal to aim a jet or two of water at your eyes 

 whilst you are endeavouring to dislodge it, or rather, 

 to carry it away, lodgings and all. The same 

 implements will further be found handy supposing 

 you come across some sponge adherent to the rock, 

 which you wish to take home that you may study 

 its habits, and watch the currents it will make in your 

 aquarium. All this, to say nothing about geological 

 specimens which may strike your eye, and tempt 

 your hand ! Mean time your net will have come in 

 handy to sweep the rock-pools for minute Crustacea 

 or fish, or to enable you to reach objects which it 

 would have been impossible to have secured else. 



