296 THE TWINING CAMPANULARIA. 



visitor entered ; but a careful examination reveals a 

 narrow pathway among the bushes, which climbs 

 up one side, to daylight and liberty on the downs 

 above. 



These natural perforations are among the most 

 curious phenomena which a visitor can see in the 

 vicinity of Ilfracombe ; as the tunnels which lead to 

 the public baths are the most interesting of the works 

 of art : though, from the readiness with which they 

 may be overlooked by strangers, even w^hen close to 

 them, many go away without seeing them. 



To the littoral naturalist these caves and the sur- 

 rounding rocks present a fruitful field of observation. 

 The surface is broken and uneven, and covered with 

 tide-pools of varying level, most of which are richly 

 stored with plants and animals. The water's edge at 

 low tide is strewn with stones, not difficult to lift, 

 beneath which are found Crustacea, Annelides, and 

 Star-fishes, in abundance. The perpendicular sides 

 of the bounding rocks themselves, and the interior 

 of the fissures, are studded with Madrepores, many of 

 which are fine specimens both for size and colour; 

 these are exposed and readily accessible at the lowest 

 spring-tides. 



THE TWINING CAMPANULARIA. 



From the rocks around Smallmouth Caves, I ob- 

 tained a little tuft of that very elegant Sertularian 

 zoophyte, Campanularia voluhilis. The cells were 

 numerous, and many of them were inhabited by their 

 polypes, expanding freely in full health and vigour. 



