PREFACE 



The following pages I have endeavoured, as far as possible* 

 to make a mirror of the thoughts and feelings that have 

 occupied my own mind during a nine months' residence on 

 the charming shores of North and South Devon. There 

 I have been pursuing an occupation which always pos- 

 sesses for me new delight, — the study of the curious forms, 

 and still more curious instincts, of animated beings. So 

 interesting, so attractive has the pursuit been, so unex- 

 pected in many instances the facts revealed by the research, 

 that I have thought the attempt to convey, with pen and 

 pencil, to others the impressions vividly received by my- 

 self might be a welcome service. 



Few, very few, are at all aware of the many strange, 

 beautiful, or wondrous objects that are to be found by 

 searching on those shores that every season are crowded 

 by idle pleasure-seekers. Most curious and interesting 

 animals are dwelling within a few yards of your feet, 

 whose lovely forms and hues, exquisitely contrived struc- 

 tures, and amusing instincts, could not fail to attract and 

 charm your attention, if you were once cognizant of them. 

 "But who will be our guide to such sources of interest?" 

 Deign to accept these pages as your " Hand-book" to the 

 sea-side. They contain a faithful record of what actually 

 has fallen under an individual's observation in a single 

 season, and may therefore be assumed to present a fair 

 average of what may be expected again. 



But I have not made a book of systematic zoology ; nor 



