22 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



them slugs whicli had been troubled with absurd caprices 

 of metamorphosis, and having first thought of passing from 

 the form of slugs to that of hares, changed their weak 

 minds, and resolved on being camels ; but no sooner was 

 the hump complete, than they bethought them that, after 

 all, the highest thing in life was to be a slug — and so as 

 slugs they finished their development. Not, however, with- 

 out further caprices, since, instead of filling its mouth with 

 teeth to grind its vegetable food, the Sea Hare trans- 

 poses its teeth into its stomach, or rather into one of its 

 stomachs, and not the one nearest the mouth, but the last 

 of the series, as it passes into the intestine ; so that after 

 the food has undergone preparatory digestion, it has to be 

 further ground by these teeth. This strange animal, as 

 harmless as a butterfly, carries a traditional terror to the 

 vulgar mind. The Eomans believed — what would they not 

 believe ! — tliat the mere sight of it caused sickness, some- 

 times death ; and pregnant women were especially warned 

 against it. Apuleius happened to have a curiosity about this 

 animal, for which he was accused of magic* On every 

 coast the fishermen who happen to know anything about the 

 Sea Hare (and they know very little of animals they do not 

 sell), assure you of its poisonous qualities ; and the bright 

 purjile fluid it throws out, when irritated, although perfectly 



♦ Dans sa defense, Ajnilee repondit qu'en effut il avait observe des lifevrcs 

 marins, mais seiUement dans Ic but de satisfaiie unc curiosite qui n'uffrait Hen 

 do condamnable. La description qu'il donne de pctits osselets exi.-tuns dans 

 rcstomac do ccs animaux, prouvo qu'il Ics avait observes en naturalibte. — 

 CuviEii, Hist, det ^Scienca Aaiurdhs, i. 287. 



