﻿222 Transactions. — Zoology. 



crab, with a carapace about the size of a pea, was discovered on the mud at 

 the bottom where the stone had lain, and when taken out of the water was 

 found to be a very pretty object, having light red legs ; it was very active, and 

 escaped back to the water again. On examining the stone, its lower surface 

 was found to be partially covered by a species of sponge, of a yellowish colour, 

 rising here and there into tubercles, each of which had a hole communicating 

 with the interior. Close beside the sponge were several small semi-transparent 

 globules, eAddently the ova of some animal. 



Turning now to the other end of the pool, under the clear water were seen 

 a number of those interesting animals. Actinias, which form a link as it were 

 between the animal and vegetable worlds. They much resembled a small 

 single Chrysanthemum, of a pale whitish shade, with here and there on the 

 tentacles a bright red spot. Some of them were very little, not over a quai-ter 

 of an inch in diameter, while others measured about an inch across. To test 

 their voracity we dropped one of the Neritas on one of them, and though 

 nearly as big as itself, it closed its tentacles on it, and soon gorged it out of 

 sight. There were several other singular organisms in the pool, particularly a 

 long worm, with what looked like fringes on its sides, probably a Nereis ; but 

 as we had no means of carrying anything away for further investigation, it 

 was impossible to say definitely what they were. Anyone who may wish to 

 explore for himself in this direction should take with him a clear sided glass 

 dish and a magnifier, and he will find plenty to interest, amuse, and instruct 

 him in any one of the numerous pools on the rocky parts of the coast. 



In recapitulating the contents of this little patch of water, it will bo 

 observed that we found representatives of all the great divisions of the animal 

 world. Beginning with the lowest — the sponge, we have a member of the fifth 

 sub-kingdom — ^the Protozoa. A stage higher and the Actinice represent the 

 fourth — ^the Radiata. Then the MoUusca — the third sub-kingdom — are repre- 

 sented by the Patella and the Nerita ; while the second — the Articulata — 

 claims the various crabs, etc., and the highest — the Yertebrata — claims the 

 fish. 



Over this little pool my friend and I spent a veiy pleasant hour, and on 

 leaving the spot he honestly confessed he had no idea that these pools con- 

 tained anything biit water ', and said that he had arisen not a sadder but a 

 wiser man. After all, I do not think I have mentioned more than half of 

 what was contained in the pool ; but have ventured to run the foregoing 

 remarks together with the view of showing that even the commonest things 

 are worth investigation. Now to compare the contents of this pool with a 

 similar one in the old country, I find that there is very great resemblance. 

 The plants are nearly identical, the Serpulce and the Barnacles are exactly so ; 

 the fish, or a near relative, the Blenny, would be sure to be found ; while the 



