St. Landry democrat., 1882-05-20

stronger fortress could be made; not ,
spot is left unprotected!
But if the sea-urchin grows, is the
strong box to grow, too5 Nature has
provided for that, for it is made of more
than a hundred separate plates, and
day by day fresh lime from the sea
water is placed, atom by atom, evenly
on the edge OF these plates, and SO you
see the shell grows with the body!
The spines of which we have spoken
are as useful for protection as the box.
They are guides when walking, and
with them seaweed or other objects can
be lifted out OF the way; and, more sim
gular than all, they will gather these
spines together and form sort of tent
for the protection of their young until
they can take care of themselves.
There Is another little curiosity called
the stentor, which plays its part among
the ocean stars. 1t looks like a small
golden trumpet. At the mouth of this
trumpet there is a circle of hairs called
cilia-and what do you think the word
means? Why, e-lashes-and it is
really very appropriate name; for by
means of these hairs, these creatures
row themselves about with great rapid
ity, and use them as we'll for obtaining
their food Dashing these little hairs
in the water produces current, which
conveys particles of food to them
They carry nearly all the prismatic
colors, and are very beautiful.
But where shall we stop? We could
tell you of the band-fsh, with its long
silver ribbon, glittering in rose colo1
and blue, as it shoots like snake
through these wonderful labyrinths; the
cutie, famous us the emperor among
molluscs, decked in all colors, but
marked by no definite outline, appearing
and disappearing, joining others Of Their
kind, and parting again in most fan.
tastic ways, and in the midst of rapid
change and wonderful display of liz ht
and shade.
The sea-feather, which by day is
beautiful red, at night becomes lumin-
nous in a golden phosphorescence.
They get their name from their very
great resemblance to q goose's feather,
the quill part standing in the mud or
sand at the bottom of the ocean, while
the feathering containing the polypes re-
mains in the water. In the tropical |
ocean they are sometimes foot in
length.
Sea-pens, another of the star-fish
tribe, are phosphorescent, and if touched
the light spreads upward, from one
polype to another, until it reaches the
top OF the water, producing charming
How little ground we have covered,
after all, of this sea ife-whose every
corner is lustrous! There are millions
of little glowing atoms, that seem like
glow-worms in the night. Some, so
somber by day, that are most radiant
after dark in their wonderful play of
light. Even this small cluster of stars
would not be complete if we forgot the
with its long silver disk,
sometimes six feet across, bearing a
faint, luminous light, amid this crowd
Of sparkling gems!
Whatever is beautiful and rare can be
found in the warm and clear waters of
the tropical oceans. There is not spot
that is not inhabited. And vet how
many cross the ocean biindfolded! Very
few care to know of the wonderful works
Of our Great Creator, who has so adapted
the waters to the well-being of all its
inhabitants, even to the very smallest!
It is a great mistake that we must
ook to the sublimest things in life to see
5he hand of Divine love and wisdom, for
Ill have received their share in the dis
5ribution of the gifts of nature, and are
ever proclaiming that there is no end to
he greatness OF Gods power.-M. 2.
Observer. sta a- .....t.