358 BEACH RAMBLES. 
track. If it terminates in a pool, a close examination will detect 
a little depression in the bottom, with a slight but constant motion, — 
and a stick will reveal his crabship quietly twiddling his thumbs, — 
and greatly averse to being disturbed. They are largely used 
bait for Blue-fish, not often hereabouts for food. They require 
careful handling as their claws have a savage nip. 4 
A different track, finer and broader, leads to the deep burrow of — 
a most unsightly worm, perhaps a foot long, with myriads of legs. 
Yet another to a large, slow moving Natica heros, taking his 
morning walk, his huge foot and distended mantle causing doubt 
whether they can all be contained in the shell; another still í 
covers the beautiful little Natica triseriata. | 
Nearing the water, lines of sea-weed mixed with larger or smal 
shells, mark the receding waves. After storms, immense heaps 
are thrown up, and collectors may obtain beautiful specimens 
sea-mosses, the Irish moss (Chondrus esculentus) being quite abun- 
Large and fine specimens of the mussel (Modiola modiolus 
are found attached to the roots of the Devil’s apron, Lamin 
which is often seen twenty feet in length, with specimens of Saxi- 
cava, and now and then a Chiton. i 
On the beach are scattered, often thickly, the large shells of 
Cyprina Islandica, and Mactea gigantea, or hen clam, often us 
as milk skimmers, and occasionally perfect specimens of the b 
tiful little Machera costata. The common sun-fish or jelly 
Aurelia aurita, is very abundant, and the larger, darker-co! 
Cyanea Postelsii is not rare. 
But it is in the little pools, upon and around the ledge of | 
at the northern end of the beach, that the lover of nature 
most richly repaid for careful search. Sometimes they are | 
hung by the arched rocks, forming deep and dark recesses; $ 
times in the full light of the sun, revealing the minutest ot 
upon the bottom. 
Delicate sea-weeds of various colors, with minute C0 
growths, encrusting the rocks, cover the floor of these pools 
a carpet of richest tapestry. Swimming about, may be see 
ous smaller fish, here finding a safe retreat from the vorae 
their bigger relatives, while the crabs are sidling about 
awkward yet nimble way, and now and then a dark-green 1 
glides about, skilfully eluding any attempt to capture him, 
