Part 20

Now we notice another peculiar form:[165] creeping, worm-like masses of orange-yellow or buff hue, soft and spongy in texture, which throw up one or more free, erect processes, irregularly curved, an inch or more long, and about one-eighth thick on an average, but frequently swollen and contracted by turns. These are not tubular, and the tips are rounded. The general surface under a magnifier appears slightly channelled. Within we find simple needles, long, nearly straight, pointed at both ends, moderately numerous, enveloped in much yellow granular flesh.

Then there are some imposing masses of a globose form,[166] some of which attain a foot or more in diameter, though others are not more than an inch. The surface is compact and smooth, of a delicate purplish-grey hue, with a few minute orifices, each surrounded by a small paler area.

The spicula in this noble species are various: simple rods, straight, thick, long, slightly spindle-shaped, blunt at both ends, with a linear axis; three-rayed, large, stout, very unequal angled, without any central channel; a number of very small five- and six-rayed stars, the rays projecting in different planes. They are set in a dense, yellow, gelatinous flesh, in which we may at all times discover many gemmules, or eggs; the smaller (or younger) are nearly round, bristling with points in all directions like sea-urchins, changing as they grow larger to a more oval form, beset with rounded warts, instead of points. These are discharged, when mature, with the currents of water, through the orifices, and find their way to some suitable spot, where they develop themselves into the parent form.

Finally, here is a sort[167] whose colour is a pale Indian red; occurring in masses which take the form of thick, plump bands, about half-an-inch in width, but alternately swelling and contracting, which creep over the rock, meeting and uniting, and then separating, so as to leave hollow open interstices, which, however, in some specimens are gradually filled up. The swellings form pointed hillocks, the apices of which are pierced with from one to three orifices. Irregular shallow channels cover the hillocks, and converge to the apices. It contains simple needles, slender, straight (or slightly curved), pointed at each end, not very numerous, thickly invested with granular flesh. This Sponge shrivels much, and becomes shapeless in drying, but changes little in colour. It is abundant.[168]

Thus the praise of the all-glorious God lies latent in all his creatures, whether man educe it or not. Too often, when we observe the wondrous variety, the incomparable delicacy, elegance, beauty, the transcendent fitness and perfection of every organ and structure, we are more occupied with our own pleasure or our own glory than with the praise of God: our own pleasure in acquiring new knowledge, or in admiring unexpected beauties; our own glory in opening up new stores of science; these are our motives to study, and we withhold from, or feebly and grudgingly give to, the Blessed Creator and Fashioner, the honour, of which every atom, every combination, every exquisite contrivance, is eloquently discoursing to us the while. Forgive, O Thou, who hast created all things, and for whose pleasure they are, and were created, that we so often touch with irreverent hand Thy glorious works; that we so often walk with silent tongues on this holy ground!

* * * * *

A PROTEST.

I cannot conclude this volume without recording my solemn and deliberate protest against the infidelity with which, to a very painful extent, modern physical science is associated. I allude not only to the ground which the conclusions of modern geologists take, in opposition to the veracity of the “God which cannot lie,” though the distinct statements which He has made to us concerning Creation are now, as if by common consent, put aside, with silent contempt, as effete fables, unworthy of a moment’s thought, and this too before vast assemblages of persons, not one of whom lifts his voice for the truth of God. These assaults are at least open and unmasked. But there is in our scientific literature, and specially in that which takes a popular form, a tone equally dangerous and more insidious. It altogether ignores the awful truths of God’s revelation, that all mankind are guilty and condemned and spiritually dead in Adam; that we are by nature children of wrath; that the whole world lieth in the wicked one; and that the wrath of God abideth on it: it ignores the glorious facts of atonement by the precious blood of Christ, and of acceptance in Him. It substitutes for these a mere sentimental admiration of nature, and teaches that the love of the beautiful makes man acceptable to God, and secures His favour. How often do we see quoted and be-praised, as if it were an indisputable axiom, the sentiment of a poet who ought to have known better,

“He prayeth best who loveth best All things, both great and small;”--

a sentiment as silly as it is unscriptural; for what connexion can there be between the love of the inferior creatures, and the acceptableness of a sinner praying to the Holy God? It is the intervention of Christ Jesus, the anointed Priest, which alone gives prayer acceptance.

There is no sentimental or scientific road to heaven. There is absolutely nothing in the study of created things, however single, however intense, which will admit sinful man into the presence of God, or fit him to enjoy it. If there were, what need was there that the glorious Son, the everlasting Word, should be made flesh, and give His life a ransom for many?

If I have come to God as a guilty sinner, and have found acceptance, and reconciliation, and sonship, in the blood of His only-begotten Son, then I may come down from that elevation, and study creation with advantage and profit; but to attempt to scale heaven with the ladder of natural history, is nothing else than Cain’s religion; it is the presentation of the fruit of the earth, instead of the blood of the Lamb.

A TESTIMONY.

This will be, in all probability, the last occasion of my coming in literary guise before the public: how can I better take my leave than with the solemn testimony of the Spirit of God, which I affectionately commend to my readers,--

THERE IS NO WAY INTO THE HOLIEST BUT BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

FINIS.

FOOTNOTES:

[149] _Ascidia_ ----?; perhaps _A. prunum_; but much uncertainty rests on the names of the _Tunicata_. The species is represented in Plate XXXIV.: two specimens on the left hand.

[150] _Clavelina lepadiformis._

[151] _Perophora Listeri._ For magnified figures of these animals the reader is referred to my _Tenby_, Plate V., and _Devonshire Coast_, Plate XV.

[152] _Cynthia grossularia_; of which a group is depicted in Plate XXXIV., seated on an old cockle valve, to the right of the foreground.

[153] _Cynthia quadrangularis_, represented in the background of Plate XXXIV., rising above the cockle shell which supports the Currants.

[154] _Amœrœcium proliferum._

[155] Two familiar kinds of _Botryllus_ are represented in Plate XXXV.; of which I cannot with certainty indicate the specific names.

[156] _Wanderings in New South Wales_, etc., vol. i.

[157] _Tenby._--The systematic appellations of these four species are _Halichondria panicea_, _Halichondria rosea_, _Halichondria sanguinea_, and _Grantia compressa_.

[158] _Grantia coriacea._

[159] _Halina Bucklandi._

[160] _Halichondria incrustans._

[161] _Leuconia nivea._

[162] It is possible that these may be fragments of the longer needles; but from their bluntly-pointed ends, and general agreement _inter se_, I do not think so.

[163] _Leuconia Gossei_ (Bowerbank MS.). Dr. Bowerbank, to whom I have communicated this species, thinks that it may have been confounded by former observers with the preceding. “The broad specific difference between them is that _L. nivea_ has _very_ large triradiate spicula at its surface, and _L. Gossei_ has not, but has in lieu of them very large acerate ones at right angles to the surface.” (Bowerb. _in litt._)

[164] _Hymeniacidon caruncula._

[165] _Hymeniacidon albescens._

[166] _Pachymatisma Johnstoni._

[167] _Microciona carnosa._

[168] I have been minute in the descriptions of these species, because the student of marine zoology has so little to aid him in the identification of our Sponges. This South Devon coast is peculiarly rich in these productions; and several of these, though common here, are considered, as Dr. Bowerbank tells me, quite rare. The figures, which I have drawn from the life with great care, will, I trust, leave no difficulty in the identification.

Plate XXXVI. is devoted to the above species of Sponges. Beginning from the upper right corner, we have _Halichondria panicea_, greenish yellow, with perforated hillocks: it occurs also in other parts of the picture. The scarlet one next below is _Grantia coriacea_. The black one to the right is _Halina Bucklandi_. The plump buff one under the scarlet is _Halichondria incrustans_. Below this is the contorted _Leuconia nivea_. Then follows, below, and a little to the left, _Hymeniacidon caruncula_. Below this are two specimens of _Leuconia Gossei_, and on the left, yellow, with a slender serpent-like projection, _Hymeniacidon albescens_. Behind this is the grey globular _Pachymatisma Johnstoni_, and below, to the left, the pale red _Microciona carnosa_.

INDEX.

Adamsia, 237.

Æquorea, 263.

Anemones, Sea, 65, 68, 70, 76-82, 202.

Angled-crab, 229.

Annelida, 156, 100, 162.

---- Bristles of, 164.

---- Circulation of, 161, 167.

---- Proboscis of, 164.

Anstey’s Cove, 64.

Anthea, 67, 202.

Aquarium, Use of. 61.

Ascidia, 299, 309.

Babbicombe, 30, 34.

Barnacles, 279.

---- Acorn, 280.

---- Coral, 282.

---- Necked, 281.

---- Transformations of, 283.

Beach, Raised, 69.

Beadlet, 65.

Beroe, 270.

Blenny, Butterfly, 212.

---- Smooth, 215.

Boring Mollusca, 53-60.

Botryllus, 310.

Brittle-star, Granulate, 226.

Calappa, 233.

Caves, Sea, 65.

Clavelina, 302.

Cloaklet, 237.

Cockle, Paignton, 88, 92.

---- Common, 90.

Cod-stomachs, 232.

Corkwing, 198.

Cowry, 17-21.

Crab, Masked, 128.

---- Angled, 229.

---- Antennæ of, 129.

---- Flat, 187.

---- Hermit, 242.

---- Nut, 238.

Cucumber, Sea, 25.

Currant Squirter, 306.

Cydippe, 270.

Cynthia, 305.

Dahlia Wartlet, 81.

Dead-man’s Finger, 73.

Diving-bell researches, 275.

Dog-whelk, 13-16.

Dog-winkle, 45.

Doris, 40.

Dredging, 168, 221, 236.

Echinodermata, 27, 172-186, 224.

Eolis, 41.

Eurylepta, 132.

Father-lasher, 203.

Fear, Effects of, in Fishes, 110.

Feather-star, 182.

Fishes, Venomous, 114.

---- Eyes of, 110, 170, 214, 219.

---- Fear in, 110.

---- Flat, 104.

---- Gills of, 207.

---- Habits of, 105, 112, 116, 123, 170, 198, 203, 208, 215, 217.

---- Nests of, 123.

---- Sucker of, 168, 171.

Flat-crabs, 187.

Flat-fishes, 104.

Flat-worm, Lined, 132.

Flowers, 32, 34, 85.

Forests, Submarine, 67.

Four-angled Squirter, 306.

Goby, Freckled, 217.

Goodrington Sands, 85.

Gulf-stream, 255.

Gulls, 5.

Hermit-crab, 237.

Hope’s Nose, 69.

Hydrozoa, Oceanic, 248.

---- Sertularian, 277.

Instinct, Parental, 123, 150, 152, 155, 211.

Jelly-fish, Naked-eyed, 260.

---- Crimson-ringed, 267.

---- Transformations of, 267.

Keer-drag, 101.

Launce, Sand, 111.

Leaf-worms, 156.

Limpet, Common, 48.

---- Cup, 150.

---- Keyhole, 53.

---- Slit, 52.

Lobster-horn, 277.

London-bridge Rock, 70.

Long-worm, 134.

Lucernaria, 83.

Lucky Proach, 203.

Luminosity, 265.

Medusæ, Covered-eyed, 267.

---- Luminosity of, 265.

---- Naked-eyed, 260.

Mental Faculties in the Lower Animals, 246.

Mollusca, Foot of, 7, 18, 94.

---- Boring, 53-60, 196.

---- Burrowing, 94.

---- Eggs of, 42, 47, 150.

---- Eyes of, 9, 23.

---- Gills of, 42, 51.

---- Habits of, 14, 49, 57, 94, 142, 150.

---- Mantle of, 8, 18, 23.

---- Naked-gilled, 38-45.

---- Proboscis of, 15, 18.

---- Shell of, 11, 13, 17, 20, 51.

---- Tentacles of, 9, 39.

---- Tunicate, 305.

Nacre, 12.

Nereis, Pearly, 160.

Nut-crab, 233.

Opelet, 67, 202.

Oyster-culture, 72.

Paignton, 86.

---- Cockle, 88.

Pelican’s Foot, 16.

Perophora, 302.

Petit Tor, 32.

Pholas, 53.

Physalia, 248.

Pipe-fish, 207.

Polynoe, 162.

Portuguese Man-of-war, 248.

Portumnus, 127.

Prawn, 98.

Purpura, 45.

Pyrgoma, 282.

Pyrosoma, 312.

Red-nose, 59.

Rock-pools, 6, 88, 196.

Sabella, 292.

---- Hook-plumed, 296.

---- Shelled, 293.

---- Soft-tubed, 295.

Sagartia, 76.

Sarsia, 260.

Saxicava, 59.

Scale-worm, 162.

Scallop, 21-25.

Scalpellum, 288.

Scenery, Views of, 30.

Screw, Locust, 151.

---- Fresh-water, 153.

Sea, Aspects of, 1, 4, 87.

Sea Cucumber, 25.

Sea Hare, 139-146.

Sea Lemon, 40.

Sea Urchin, 175.

Serpula, 37, 284.

Shells, 11, 51.

---- Growth of, 17, 20.

Shrimp, 101.

Siponcle, 28.

Sponges, 315-325.

Squat-lobsters, 191.

Squirters, 299, 306.

Starlet, 173.

Stephanomia, 258.

Stickleback, 122.

Stone-turning, 36.

Sucker, Two-spotted, 168.

Sun-star, 224.

Thornback, 119.

Topknot, 108.

Top, Purple-spotted, 7-12.

Torbay Bonnet, 148.

Triope, 39.

Tube-worms, 284.

Tunicata, 299.

---- Oceanic, 312.

---- Transformations of, 308.

Tusk-shell, 146.

Tyre, Purple of, 46.

Urchin, Sea, 175.

Velella, 256.

Venus, Banded, 96.

Weever, 114.

Woodlouse, Sea, 154.

Wrasses, 200.

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Transcriber's Note

Illustrations have been moved next to the text which they illustrate, and may no longer match the locations given in the List of Illustrations.

The letters C and S used to describe shapes on p. 319 were printed in different fonts.

The following apparent errors have been corrected:

p. 21 "tranverse" changed to "transverse"

p. 50 "‘the" changed to "“the"

p. 51 "point," changed to "point."

p. 51 "foot." changed to "foot,"

p. 61 "Inprovements" changed to "Improvements"

p. 67 (note) "right hand" changed to "left hand"

p. 74 "equaminity" changed to "equanimity"

p. 92 "countremen" changed to "countrymen"

(plate) "PLATE 12" changed to "PLATE 12."

(plate) "LESSER WEEVER" changed to "LESSER WEEVER."

p. 138 "assailent" changed to "assailant"

p. 145 (note) "Introd. to _Conchology_" changed to "_Introd. to Conchology_"

(plate) "ANGLED-CRAB" changed to "ANGLED-CRAB."

p. 230 "Plymouth" changed to "Plymouth."

(plate) "PURPLE-HERMIT CRAB." changed to "PURPLE HERMIT-CRAB."

p. 300 (note) "right hand" changed to "left hand"

p. 300 (note) "XXXIV" changed to "XXXIV."

p. 310 (note) "XXXV" changed to "XXXV."

The following are used inconsistently in the text:

Beroë, Beröe and Beroe

Brittlestar and Brittle-star

Corkwing and Cork-wing

_débris_ and debris

footstalk and foot-stalk

honeycombed and honey-combed

Keyhole and Key-hole

Longworm and Long-worm

zigzag and zig-zag

End of Project Gutenberg's A Year at the Shore, by Philip Henry Gosse