INTRODUCTION. 45 



work from his pen will shortly be published under 

 the auspices of the Fish Commission, if indeed it shall 

 not come to my readers before they see this. 



I cannot conclude this introductory chapter, with- 

 out saying, that if this book shall be the means of 

 awakening any interest in these creations, among the 

 sojourners by the sea-side, I should be sorry if it 

 should fail to carry the mind beyond the creature 

 to the Creator. 



To me, the best story, which any flower of land 

 or sea can tell, is the story it whispers to my 

 heart, not only of the skill and wisdom which fash- 

 ioned it, but also of the beneficient and sleepless 

 care which has kept and preserved it, has ministered 

 to its humble wants, and will not let it perish with- 

 out His notice. 



"Not a flower 

 But shows some touch in freckle streak or stain, 

 Of his unrivaled pencil." 



" The Lord of all, Himself through all diffused, 

 Sustains, and is the life of ail that lives, 

 Nature is but a name for an effect, 

 Whose cause is God, He feeds the sacred fire, 

 By which the mighty process is mamtained, 

 He sleeps not, — is not weary ; in whose designs 

 No flaw deforms, no diflficulty thwarts, 

 And whose beneficence no change exhausts," 



