59 
the glossy surface may tend to shake off the liquid more 
rapidly. 
Plate II, fig. 15. 
“ Before me lay the sea : 
Broad, heaving billows murmured carelessly 
O’er wave-ribbed sands, with lulling peaceful sound ; 
While snow-white sea-gulls sailed athwart the sky. 
The air was motionless, till gentle breeze 
Sprang up at sunset ; yet huge, lumbering waves 
Rolled in from distant storm, wild, musical. 
Wave-music.” — Symington’s Harebell Chimes. 
3. Sea Spleenwort. Asplenium marinum. How vast are 
the treasures of the deep ! Hot only have we beneath its 
surface the pearls, the agates, the emeralds, the jacynths, 
and the crystals clear as glass ; we have vast fields of sea 
weeds and sub-marine plants, which make the ocean appear 
like a meadow of crimson tint, and the most lovely hue. 
There is no drapery so rich and fair, no embroidered muslin 
or silk of so exquisite a texture, no bright and gay festoons 
so tastefully and elegantly executed, as are to be found be- 
neath the green sea-wave. Those who have leisure to take 
a survey of the various marine plants, will not only derive 
profit but pleasure, and learn the greatness of Him who is 
the Maker and Preserver of us all. Some of these sea weeds 
are so small, that their beauty and admirable workmanship 
cannot be discerned without the aid of a microscope ; some 
so large, that “They have stems which exceed in length, 
though not in diameter, the trunks of the tallest forest 
trees ; and others have leaves that rival in expansion those 
of the Palm.” * There is no Pern that grows beneath the 
waters. This Pern, the Sea Spleenwort, is only to be found 
near the sea, with the exception of the lakes of Killarney 
in Ireland, and a few other places. In Lancashire and 
Eerwickshire it is recorded to be found some miles inland. 
On the rocks under the clifis at Beer and also at Charlton 
Harvey’s Manual of British Algse. 
