THE WONDERS OF THE SHORE. 75 



Fig. 8). Look at it tlirough the field-glass ; for it 

 is truly wonderfuL Each polype cell is edged with 

 whij)-like spines, and on the back of some of 

 them is — what is it, but a live vulture's head, 

 snapping and snapping — what for? 



!N"ay, reader, I am here to show you what can 

 be seen ; but as for telling you what can be known, 

 much more what cannot, I decline ; and refer you 

 to Johnston's Zoophytes, wherein you will find 

 that several species of pol}^es carry these same 

 birds' heads : but whether they be parts of the 

 polype, and of what use they are, no man living 

 knoweth. 



Next, what are the giant striped pears? They 

 are sea-anemones, and of a species only lately 

 well known, Sagartia viduata, the snake-locked 

 anemone (PI. V. Fig. 3*). They have been washed 

 off the loose stones to which they usually adhere by 



* A few words on him, and on sea-anemones in general, may be 

 found in Appendix II. But full details, accompanied with beauti- 

 ful plates, may be found in Mr. Gosse's new work on British 

 sea-anemones and madrepores, which ought to be in every sea- 

 side library. 



