'Natural History is the appointed handmaiden of Religion, enabling us to feel and in some humble proportion to appreciate how closely and how carefully the well-being and happiness of all creatures has been provided for,--how admirably they are severally adapted to their respective stations and employments, and how wonderfully every part of their economy is made subservient to the general good. This is the true spirit in which the aquarïst ought to work, and this is the end and object of his science.'--_Rhymer Jones._ [Illustration: 1 & 2 Valves of PHOLAS SHELL 3 _Pholas crispata_, with siphons extended 4 COMMON BRITTLE STAR (_Ophiocoma rosula_) From Nature, showing the progressive growth of new rays 5 COMMON CROSS-FISH (_Uraster rubens_)] GLIMPSES OF OCEAN LIFE; OR, Rock-Pools and the Lessons they Teach. BY JOHN HARPER, F.R.S.S.A. AUTHOR OF 'THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM,' ETC. WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR. '_Armado._ How hast thou purchased thy experience? _Moth._ By my penny of observation.' SHAKSPEARE. LONDON: T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW; EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK. MDCCCLX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD BROUGHAM AND VAUX, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, ETC., ETC., ETC., THIS LITTLE VOLUME Is Inscribed, AS A TRIFLING TOKEN OF RESPECTFUL ADMIRATION FOR UNIVERSALLY RECOGNISED GREATNESS. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. ON THE PLEASURES DERIVED FROM THE STUDY OF MARINE ZOOLOGY. Page Introduction--Two classes of readers--Marine zoology as an amusement--The botanist and his pleasures--Entomological pursuits--Hidden marvels of nature--The little Stickleback--Conclusion, 17 CHAPTER II. A GLANCE AT THE INVISIBLE WORLD. Microscopic studies--When to use the microscope--Modern martyrs of science--Infusoria--Use of Infusoria--Distinction between plants and animals--_Vorticella_--_Rotatoria_--Wheel animalcules--Mooring Thread of Vorticellæ--A compound species of Vorticella described--_Zoothamnium spirale_ of Mr. Gosse--Nature's scavengers, 27 CHAPTER III. SEA ANEMONES. Animal-flowers--_A. mesembryanthemum_--'Granny,' Sir J. Dalyell's celebrated anemone--Original anecdote--_A. troglodytes_--How to capture actiniæ--A roving 'mess.'--An intelligent anemone--Diet of the actiniæ--Voracity of these zoophytes--Defence of certain species--Actiniæ eating crabs--Their reproductive powers--Size of the 'crass.'--The Plumose anemone--Its powers of contraction, 45 CHAPTER IV. EDIBLE CRAB--SHORE CRAB--SPIDER CRAB, ETC.