94 ITS NATIVE POOLS. 



down from tlie holes which they have excavated in 

 the solid limestone, each terminated by a shining 

 diamond-drop of water, aw^aiting the moment when 

 tlie returning tide shall cover their abodes, and restore 

 to them activity and enjoyment. It is their season of 

 periodical idleness and repose. Among the rough- 

 nesses of the rock, and the conical papillary pores of 

 the sponges, which, olive, yellow and scarlet, stud the 

 surface, — green Nereidous worms glide along in and 

 out, by means of the curious packets of slender 

 bristles, alternately projecting from every segment 

 and withdrawn, that serve them instead of feet. Below 

 the water line, that is to say, the level of the lowest 

 part of the margin of the pool, which of course never 

 varies, such animals and plants as require to be per- 

 petually covered wdth water enjoy circum'stances 

 suited to their wants. In the deepest shadow fine 

 specimens of the fleshy Dulse firidcea edulisj and 

 the lovely leaf-like Delesseria sanyuinea display their 

 crimson fronds in copious tufts, plants that cannot 

 bear the absence of water, their delicate leaves be- 

 coming orange-coloured in large patches, which soon 

 die and slough away, — if left unbathed even for a 

 single tide. The curious white Cows' paps, all stud- 

 ded with their clear glassy polypes, project from the 

 rock, and here I saw several white ActinicB, which at 

 once attracted my notice, though beyond my reach, 

 on the opposite side of the pool. At length, however, 

 by searching in another smaller pool, to which I 

 could gain access, I found, beneath the drooping Oar- 

 weeds, one of the white Aciinm within reach. It was 

 three or four inches beneath the surface, so that to 



