152 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
Tell now their numbers and describe their 
beauty, if it be possible. Surely any one who 
shall make the vain attempt will never again 
ask the question, 
‘ Is not God upon the waters, 
As well as on the land ?’ 
“ An attempted grouping of the beautiful 
wonders of the great deep staggers the imagi¬ 
nation as the growing sense of infinity creeps 
over the mind. Whale and shark, porpoise and 
dolphin, have engrossed the common mind and 
served to represent the wonders of the sea, but 
only their grossness gives them claims to such 
marked consideration. Not so with the living 
jewels of the deep that lie beyond the ken of 
common observation, but which flash with as¬ 
tonishing brilliancy on the eye that lovingly 
seeks to pry into hidden mysteries. How as¬ 
tonished is such a searcher, as he inspects the 
softest piece of Turkish sponge, to find it a 
complete armory of swords, spears, crosses, and 
diamonds, rivalling the richest collection of an¬ 
cient crown-jewels and knightly equipments! 
And then as he pauses to inspect Asterias, Ser^ 
pulcs^ ActinicBy and a thousand as brilliant com- 
