12 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



collecting-basket, wliicli is done in this primitive fashion : 

 A loop of string serves to keep a large jam-pot at one end of 

 the basket, at the other end another loop sustains a large 

 phial ; at one side a loop is made for hammer and chisel ; 

 opposite are two more phials. Mr Gosse, in his Aquarimn, 

 I think, describes the basket he uses ; but as you must order 

 this to be made for you, my plan is sufficiently serviceable, 

 and costs no trouble. The basket ready, we are now 

 equipped. No ; there is still one little implement. A piece 

 of brass wire, the end twisted into a ring of two or three 

 inches diameter, to which is fastened a canvass bag, makes a 

 convenient little net to be used in pools too small to admit 

 the landing-net. 



The brief note in my journal which records the results of 

 my first visit always amuses me when it catches my eye : 

 " On the rocks. Found some Actiniae and Serpulfc." The 

 idea of finding Serpulse will make even the amateur smile 

 as he remembers how difficult it is to avoid these swarming 

 Annelids, whose shells, sharp as lancets, cut the hands in 

 fifty diflferent places before many stones are turned ; but to 

 ray inexperienced eye there were only the empty shells of 

 Serpula3 to be found, until I came upon some in the water 

 with their little fans expanded, and these were pounced on 

 with great eagerness. The Aclinia3 spoken of were the com- 

 mon Smooth Anemone — not even the Strawberry variety — (if 

 you will face a long name, it is Mesemhryantliemuni) — and 

 these which I bagged with groat glee, I soon learned to pass 

 by with no more regard than if they had been sea-weed. So 

 much of our enjoyment depends on the difficulty of obtaining 



