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greatest eagerness towards a piece of rock almost concealed by 

 marine vegetation. Nay, there is a whole fleet of these creatures, 

 trying to outvie each other in speed, and all shaping their course 

 in the same direction. With the help of our gauze or muslin landing- 

 net we will endeavour to catch a specimen. Skill and patience are 

 required, for they are uncommonly agile they leap with the sudden- 

 ness and rapidity of a grasshopper, and they are too " knowing" to 

 enter a bag, however fine may be its fabric, unless they are enticed 

 or surprised by stratagem. Look how carefully that individual is 

 keeping his face towards your net see how deliberately he " backs 

 astern," with an occasional jump, when you think that he cannot 

 possibly escape : but now, keep your hand steady ; he will approach ; 

 he will inspect your net with all imaginable curiosity. Observe how 

 skilfully he uses his "horns," or antennae exquisitely formed 

 instruments, half as long again as his entire body, and which, as with 

 the insect tribes, are delicate organs of inquiry. He will creep 

 round the net and touch every part within his reach. But stop 

 here is a chance of catching him run him gently back into that'*' 

 nook in his immediate rear, dip your net under him, and then, if 

 you are smart in raising your hand, he will be your prisoner. Bring 

 him on shore, and, inverting the net into a glass vessel of sea water, 

 we will be able to examine him at leisure. But what has become 

 of his companions ? Whither were they bound ? And on what 

 errand were they so swift ? It is a case of piracy. These crusta- 

 ceans, which we saw swimming in such haste, are a fleet of sea- 

 robbers ; they are at this moment plundering a colony of helpless 

 zoophytes, and, as often happens under analogous circumstances, 

 they are quarrelling among themselves. Look, first, at these two 

 warlike specimens of their race engaged in combat each endeavour- 

 ing to get at the prey. They do not appear to use their eyes, 

 although these organs are well developed ; but, feeling about on all 

 sides with their antenna, they no sooner touch each other than the 

 strongest of the two rushes forward, assaults, and beats back the 

 weaker, which, after being foiled in repeated attempts to hold his 

 position and obtain a share of the spoil, retires to another portion 

 of the invaded colony. Now observe their thieving propensities. 

 Here is a group of sea anemones, just below the surface of the pool, 

 curiously fixed with their base in a chink of the sandstone rock, 

 whilst their upper or anterior parts, fringed with tentacula, are 

 exposed, like the sunflower when its petals are expanded, to the 

 cheering rays of light. These are at present undisturbed. Here is 

 another group ; and of these several have made prize of some food, 



