CURIOUS HOMES AND THEIR TENANTS. 



ISLAND-BUILDERS. 



WHERE THEY GROW. 



There is a wonderful country under the sea — a 

 country of hills and plains, of lofty mountains and 

 deep valleys, of rocks and caves. Its widespreadiug 

 meadows are covered with strange animal flowers 



that sway to and fro 

 in search of living 

 prey, and its forests 

 consist of branching 

 corals and seaweeds 

 taller than the tallest 

 trees. Tempests may 

 rage fiercely above, 

 but a deep, unbroken 

 silence and tranquil- 

 lity reign always in 

 this under world ; nor 

 can the wildest tem- 

 pest that wrecks the 

 strongest vessels move 

 the delicate tendrils 

 — — of the sea plants in 



Sea'^squirts. ^^^ ^ depths below. 



Fragile creatures of 

 untold loveliness, that fall to pieces almost at a touch, 

 here spend their lives in quiet and security. The 



