5"4-8 THE SEA MARIGOLD. 



never effect it. For as soon as my fingers came 

 within two or three inches of it, it would immedi- 

 ately contract and close together its yellow border, 

 and shrink back into the hole in the rock ; but, if 

 left undisturbed for three or four minutes, it would 

 come again gradually into sight, expanding, though 

 at first very cautiously, what seemed its leaves, till 

 at last it appeared in its former bloom : it would, 

 however, again contract, with surprising quickness, 

 when my hand approached within a little distance 

 of it." This gentleman also attempted to touch it 

 with his cane, and then with a slender rod ; but the 

 effect was the same. The motion of the water, 

 caused by the immersion of the hand or stick, was 

 no doubt the cause of its invariably retreating when 

 any attempt w-as made to touch it. 



From the centre of the apparent flower proceeded 

 four dark-coloured threads, somewhat resembling, 

 says Mr. H. the legs or" a spider. These, which 

 were its arms or feelers, had a quick spontaneous 

 motion from side to side. 



Its body seemed to be a small dark coloured tube, 

 about as thick as a raven's quill, one end of which 

 was affixed to the rock, and the other, which ex- 

 tended a little way from it, was encircled with the 

 yellow border above mentioned. 



Soon after the discovery of these surprising ani- 

 mals, great numbers of people came to see them. 

 This was attended with some inconvenience to the per- 

 son through whose grounds they were obliged to pass 

 and he resolved to destroy the objects of their curi- 

 osity. That this might be done effectually, he caused 



