44 COMMON SEAWEEDS. • 



"What I have said may render this common Polysi- 

 phonia more interesting, so will all examination of 

 these flowers of the sea. The more carefully we com- 

 pare the varieties the more beauty we shall find — 

 perfect order and harmony, with adherence to a given 

 plan, which has enabled the human observer to class 

 and comprehend the works of the Almighty Creator. 



"Whilst reading this and gathering the seaweeds of 

 the first-tide pools, the waves have retreated, silently 

 uncovering the mid-tide rocks, or flinging bright foam 

 into the crevices and pools as they playfully ebb out 

 to their utmost bounds. 



Step by step as we follow them, richer treasures 

 will be gathered: we shall learn to lift the upper 

 tangled mass of coarser weed, and look into crannies 

 of the rock, especially on the north or shady side. 

 "We have learnt already from the tiny Myrionema and 

 the little tuft of JEctocarpus, not to despise small and 

 common things, therefore we are awakened to fresh 

 interest, and more capable of appreciating what the 

 mid-tide rock-pool will now offer to us. 



