THE FIIiST-TIDE POOL. 25 



Supposing we are waiting at the seaside for the ebb 

 of the tide, and resting under the shadow of a great 

 rock, we shall doubtless notice on the rock, just above 

 high-water mark, small scurfy patches, consisting of 

 minute, rigid, branching plants. These, when dry, 

 look perfectly black, but on return of moisture ex- 

 hibit a clear olive tint, while their tissues soften, and 

 the frond becomes pliable. These patches are the in- 

 termediate link between seaweeds and lichens, and 

 called Lichina Pygmcea or Confinis. On the rock also 

 will be seen masses of rough shelly substance, white 

 and ribbed, with an aperture in the centre of each 

 cone : few seaweed collectors have failed to notice 

 what they are — young JBalanus* "Within each cone is 

 snugly ensconced a little creature, who lies hidden and 

 protected by a sliding panel, called operculum ; but 

 when the foamy waters of a fall tide dashes over the 

 rock, thousands of fairy fingers, transparent, sensitive, 

 and feathery, wave to and fro, gathering in invisible 

 food, and rejoicing in the abundant supply of all their 

 needs. 



We need not wait long for a tide-pool, the first 

 uncovered will have abundance of Tflva and JEniero- 

 morplia. 



* The Balanus is one of the molluscs, or soft-bodied animals, called 

 also cirrhipode, from its having feathery feet or feelers, by which it 

 catches its prey. When first hatched from the egg, which its mother 

 deposits in the water, the little creature is as unlike its parent as we can 

 imagine, having a large eye, a long forked tail, and a single shell, and 

 swimming about merrily. It moults twice, then has too eyes and two 

 shells. It then seeks a pleasant spot for its permanent home, and. having 

 decided, pours forth a strong cement, by which it fastens itself to the 

 rock, and transforms into the animal which dwells within that shelly 

 cone. It has now no eyes, but the twelve beautiful feathery feet gather 

 in its necessary food. It reproduces itself by abundance of eggs, and 

 eontentedly lives out its little life where the hand of its Creator has 

 placed it. 



