WINDOWS FOE SEA ANGLEBS 



water but two or three feet, the bow over blue water, so sharp i» 

 the descent, and the observer sees that he or she is looking at 

 the side of a submarine mountain, on the slopes of which is aa 

 ocean forest, in which the sardine bait dangles. There is a gentle 

 sweU, and as a wave comes surging in, it lifts the masses of oUve^ 

 golden and brownish weed, folding it gently toward the shore, 

 then sending it back undidating and coiling, to be repeated 

 again and again. Every time this veil is lifted some strange flslt 

 or animal is uncovered. Now it is a sea-slug, a huge black 

 animal, perhaps a foot long, with flapping, wing-hke organs 

 over its back and short antennae or feelers. If this creature is- 

 disturbed it throws out a splendid purple ink in resentment, 

 which is irritating enough to stop any predatory fish. Over 

 almost every green, algae-covered stone lies another slug, the 

 holothurian or sea-cucumber, eaten by the Chinese. It is a- 

 cousin to the star-fishes, and in it Lives a Uttle silvery fish, the 

 Fierasfer. 



Under every rock with its investment of coralline, red, blue 

 or yellow sponge, is seen a jet-black array of bristles en charge. 

 This is the black echinus, not the same fellow of Florida, but with 

 shorter spines, equally disagreeable, a living pincushion. Near 

 it are two long spines waving to and fro, telling of the crayfish, 

 green instead of yellow, as in Florida ; in fact, the looker-on 

 at this marine moving-picture show soon becomes aware that 

 almost all the animals differ from those of the Atlantic or other 

 parts of the world. All this time the guide is describing the 

 wonders, and that he has the various points named, the ' Grand 

 Canon,' the ' Yosemite,' etc., and gives to the various animals- 

 weird and uncanny names, does not lessen the gaiety of the scene 

 or situation. Sprawled over a rock is the octopus or devil-fish, 

 emitting its cloud of ink. Specimens have been seen on the 

 coast with a radial spread of twelve or fifteen feet. Watch it 

 poise and crouch, then send out one of its snaky legs or tentacles 

 at a hapless crab. If the observers are very lucky they wiU see a 

 cousin, the paper nautilus, which is found here at certain seasons 



10 145 



