CHAPTEE XVI. 



The Maritime Bristle-tail — Its Xocturnal Habits — Discovery of 

 its Retreats— Its Companions — The Scarce Polynoe — Its 

 Armoury of Weapons — A rocky Bay — Romantic Incident — 

 Chivalrous Self-sacrifice — The Tunnels — Crewkhorne Cavern 

 —The Torr Cliffs— Precipitous Path— Torr Point— Solitude— 

 The Scarlet and Gold Madrepore — Scene of its Discovery — ■ 

 Description of the Species — Its Microscopical Structure — The 

 Stony Skeleton — Thread- Capsules of Acthiia — The Club- 

 bearing Medusa — Entanglement of Air — Structure of the 

 Tentacles— The Eyes. 



THE MARITIME BRISTLE-TAIL. 



Lingering one evening on the ledges of grey rock 

 below the promenade on Capstone Hill, I accidentally 

 learned some particulars in the economy of the 

 Machilis. It was at the north-west corner, where a 

 broad shelving slope affords standing room, and 

 where a rude seat presents accommodation for visitors, 

 who resort to the comparative seclusion of the spot, 

 to watch the glories of the setting sun, or the first 

 flash from the light-house on the summit of distant 

 Lundy. 



Just about the time when all objects but those im- 

 mediately around were becoming indistinct in the 

 advancing darkness, I perceived some little moving 

 specks on the white rock, and stooping down to get a 

 better view, I saw that they were insects, which were 

 running nimbly about in great numbers, and which 



