THE OPEN SEA BEACH 287 



region of corals and Gorgonias and but few things 

 are to be seen among them which belong on the 

 sandy beaches of the southwest coast. The Lu- 

 idias or brittle stars of the west coast are replaced 

 by the great Pentaceros; the sand dollars (Mellita) 

 by a Metalia which looks like a corn pone. In- 

 stead of the harmless purple sea urchin of the 

 western shores one cannot put his hand under a 

 rock without danger of meeting the dreadful spines 

 of the Diadema setosutn. This urchin has a 

 relatively small body which seems constructed for 

 the sole purpose of supporting the most villainous 

 armament of long, brittle spines which by merest 

 contact drive deep into one's flesh and invariably 

 break off, causing most intense pain. 



The various yellow or purple sea fans which are 

 found in great numbers in key waters are won- 

 derfully graceful and remind one of living plants. 

 Upon them are found certain moUusks of the 

 family Ovulidae the shells of which always have 

 the color of their host. On the shores one com- 

 monly finds several moUusks belonging to the 

 Littorinidae, three or four Neritas, two or three 

 of the Chitons, as many Purpuras and Siphonarias, 

 all of which adhere closely to the rocks, and 



