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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

ON THE PLEASURES DERIVED FROM THE STUDY OF MARINE ZOOLOGY.

Introduction-Two classes of readers-Marine zoology as an amusementThe botanist and his pleasures-Entomological pursuits-Hidden marvels of nature-The little Stickleback--Conclusion,

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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 animalsVorticella-Rotatoria-Wheel animalcules-Mooring Thread of Vorticella -A compound species of Vorticella described--Zoothamnium spirale of Mr. Gosse-Nature's scavengers,

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CHAPTER III.

SEA ANEMONES.

Animal-flowers—A. mesembryanthemum—' Granny,' Sir J. Dalyell's celebrated anemone-Original anecdote-A. troglodytes-How to capture actinie-A roving 'mess.'-An intelligent anemone-Diet of the actiniæVoracity of these zoophytes-Defence of certain species--Actiniæ eating crabs-Their reproductive powers-Size of the 'crass.-The Plumose anemone-Its powers of contraction,

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CHAPTER IV.

EDIBLE CRAB-SHORE CRAB-SPIDER CRAB, ETC.

The Partane-Its character defended-Crustaceous demons-The wolf and the lamb-Interesting anecdote-Reason and instinct-Anecdote of the Shore crab-The creature's run awa''—A crustaceous performer - The Fiddler crab-A little prodigal-Singular conduct of the Shore crab-The minute Porcelain crab-Maia squinado - Hyas araneus-Maia and C. manas-Anecdote-The common Pea crab--Pinna and Pinnotheres-The Cray fish-Masticatory organs of crabs- Fishing for crabs-Crab fishers,

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CHAPTER V.

HERMIT CRABS.

Enthusiastic students of nature-Aristocratic Hermit crabs -SwammerdamHermit crab and its habits-Anecdote-The Hermit in a fright-Soldier crab and Limpet-A crustaceous Diogenes-Prometheus in the tank-The martyr Hermit crab -The author's pet Blenny-Anecdote,

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CHAPTER VI.

EXUVIATION OF CRUSTACEA (THE PHENOMENA OF CRABS, ETC.,
CASTING THEIR SHELLS).

The Tower of London-A crustaceous armory-The author's experience on the subject-Reamur and Goldsmith-Rejected shells of crabs-AnecdoteHint to the young aquarian-Exuviation described from personal observation in several instances-Renewal of injured limbs-Frequency of exuviation-Effect of diet on crustacea-Exuviation arrested-Exuviation of the Hermit crab-How the process is effected, ..

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CHAPTER VII.

PRAWNS AND SHRIMPS.

Habits of the Prawn-The Common Shrimp-How to catch shrimps-Con

clusion,

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The Common Barnacle described-Exuviation of the Balani-Anecdote-The
Ship Barnacle-Barnacle Geese,

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CHAPTER IX.

PHYLLODOCE LAMINOSA (THE LAMINATED NEREIS).

A rainy day at the sea-shore-Laminated Nereis-Its tenacity of life-Its unsuitableness for the aquarium-How the young annelids are producedEvidence of a French naturalist,

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CHAPTER X.

THE FAN-AMPHITRITE.

Its renewal of mutilated organs-How to accommodate this annelid in the tank
-The 'case' of the Fan-Amphitrite,

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CHAPTER XI.

THE COMMON MUSSEL.

Dr. Johnson and Bozzy-Habits of the Mussel-Marine at homes '-The Purpura and its habits-Enemies of the Mussel--Anecdote-Construction of the beard (or Byssus)-Author's experience-Anecdote of the musselMuscular action of its foot-Threads of the beard-The bridge at Bideford -Anecdote-The Mussel tenacious of life-The beard not poisonous-M. Quatrefage-Mussel beds of Esnandes-Branchiæ of the Mussel-Food of this bivalve,

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Anecdote of the Potter-Its cephalic tentacula-Construction of its tubular dwelling-Terebella littoralis-Curious anecdote-Branchial organs of this

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CHAPTER XIII.

ACALEPHA (MEDUSÆ, OR JELLY-FISH).

Introduction-Jelly-fish-Whales' food-Lieutenant Maury-Appearance of the Greenland Seas-Sir Walter Scott-The girdle of Venus-The Beröe -Pulmonigrade acalepha-Portuguese man-of-war-Hydra-tuba - Alternation of generations-Dr. Reid-Modera-formosa-Cyanea capillata-Conclusion,

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CHAPTER XIV.

DORIS EOLIS, ETC.

Anecdote-Young Dorides-Doris spawn-Nudibranchiate gasteropoda-Dr.
Darwin-Mr. Gosse-A black Doris-Béches de mer-A Chinese dinner-
Bird's nest soup, and Sea-slug stew,

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CHAPTER XV.

THE CRAB AND THE DAINTY BEGGAR.

Anecdote The Pholas and Shore-crab-The hyaline stylet-The dainty beggar-The gizzard of the Pholas-Of what use is the stylet?

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CHAPTER XVI.

THE PHOLAS, ETC. (ROCK-BORERS).

Pholades at home-Habits of the Pholas-P. crispata-The pedal organFinny gourmands-How is the boring operation performed?- Various theories on the subject-Mr Clark, Professor Owen-The Pholas at work— The boring process described from personal observation-Author's remarks on the subject-Pholas in the tank-Conclusion,

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The Sea-mouse-Bristles of the aphrodite-Its beautiful plumage (?)-Its weapons of defence-The spines described-Shape of the aphrodite, &c.,

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The Coral polypes-The Lily-stars-St. Cuthbert's beads-Pentacrinus europaus-Rosy feather star Ophiuridae — Brittle-stars - Ophiocomo-rosula— British asterida-Uraster rubens-Habits of this species-Submarine Dandos-Sir John Dalyell--Professor Jones-Star-fish feeding on the oyster -Bird's foot Sea-star- Luidia fragillissima - Cushion-stars Professor Forbes,

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CHAPTER XIX.

SEA-URCHINS.

Sea Urchins in the tank-Growth of the Echinus-Its hedgehog-like spines -Suckers and pores - Ambulacral tubes - Professor Agassiz-Movements of the Echinus - Pedicellariae- Masticatory apparatus-Common Egg Urchin-Echinus sphæra-How to remove the spines-'Do you boil your sea eggs?'-The Green-pea Urchin-The Silky-spined Urchin-The Rosyheart Urchin,

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CHAPTER XX.

THE SEA-CUCUMBER.

Its unattractive appearance out of water-Trepang-Several varieties eaten by the Chinese-Common Sea Cucumber- Habits of the HolothuriæTheir self-mutilation and renewal of lost parts,

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CHAPTER XXI.

THE APLYSIA, OR SEA-HARE.

Anecdote The Sea Hare plentiful at North Berwick-Its powers of ejecting a purple fluid at certain times. Sea Hares abhorred by the ancientsProfessor Forbes-Spawn of the Aplysia,

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