38 SEA MOSSES. 



good as one, in searching the books, and identifying 

 the plants. 



I venture to predict, that you will find the doings 

 of the "Sea Moss Club" an extremely pleasant diver- 

 sion, both socially and intellectually. You will find, as 

 a result, that every member will be awakened to a 

 stiring, thrifty new interest in Nature's things, and 

 has acquired at once a keen appetite for the charms 

 of her more rare and delicate handiwork, and a new 

 faculty for seeing and observing her wonderous ways. 



" Nature hath tones of magic deep, and colors iris bright, 

 And murmurs full of earnest truth, and visions of delight; 

 'Tis said, ' The heart that trusts in her, was never yet beguiled,' 

 But meek and lowly thou must be, and docile as a child. 

 Then study her with reverence high, and she will give the key, 

 So shalt thou learn to comprehend the 'secret of the sea.' " 



And I shall venture also to believe that, when you 



" Fold your tents like the Arabs, 

 And as silently steal away " 



from the sound of the surf, and the sight of the 

 sea, to take up your toils again, in the hub-bub and 

 confusion of this work-a-day world, you will be very 

 sure to keep up the pleasant memories of the " Club," 

 and perhaps also its form, by correspondence, and 

 further study and exchange of plants. And, perhaps, 

 you will hear of other Clubs, formed and working at 

 other points of the coast, and you will enter into 

 correspondence and exchange with them also. 



