64 
ANIMAL LIFE ON THE 
when the sands have been left bare, their places of abode 
and the species of the creatures are easily known to the 
familiarised eye by marks on the sands, and other infallible 
indications of their presence. If provided with a pair of 
fishing stockings, or resorting to the good old boyish practice 
of stripping the boots and buckling the trousers pretty well 
up and taking the water for it, where such a practice can be 
resorted to, we find to be one of the most enjoyable modes 
of marine zoologising we have yet experienced. On this 
day the rays of the sun, following up for the last six hours 
the receding tide, are heating to a pleasant warmth the 
sandy stretch and the shallow waters on its verge, and the 
wading hunt proves to be an invigorating exercise. From 
the glassy bay, as calm as a parlour mirror, the incoming 
waters are now advancing, and the numerous tribes of 
little creatures that only venture the length of the verge of 
the deep, upon the receding tide are sailing in again on its 
flow, and darting about in all directions as if frisking, 
frolicking, and rejoicing in a young and enjoyable life. 
The denizens of the sands, on the other hand, as soon as the 
flow of the first inch of clear water has gone over their 
heads, are busily employed discharging the heated water 
retained in their valves, and preparing to feast again upon 
the unseen infinitesimal particles of life-sustaining food 
abundantly brought within their reach ] and were it possible 
that our eyes could take in at a glance the working 
machinery of the various creatures that are then set in 
motion, our wonder and admiration would rise to the praise 
and glory of the Maker. AYell, when fairly in the water 
and the search begun, we are not long wanting an object 
of interest. First our eyes light upon the darting move- 
ments of the little sand lance, and not far from the spot 
where he has at last so quickly and effectually made his exit 
