kind of Polypes," said Mrs. Merton, "as, when found, they are filled with a gelatinous matter,

abounding in transparent globules, and these globules are supposed to be the animals that form the sponge."

66

Can the Polypes live when they are separated from the sponge?" asked Agnes.

66

No," returned her mother, "the

sponge, or skeleton, as it is called, appears to be as essential to the animal matter it contains, as the shell is to the snail."

182

CHAPTER VIII.

Sandown Bay.-Culver Cliff.-Sandown Fort.-High Flood.— Girl and Dog.-Poultry.-Hares.-Butterflies.-Ichneumon

Fly.-Myrtles.-Brading.-Bembridge.-St. Helen's.—Arrival

at Ryde.

THE next morning was rather cooler than any day since the Mertons had been in the Isle of Wight; and Agnes felt the want of her little pink handkerchief round her neck. She did not like to complain, however, as she was aware it was entirely her own fault that the handkerchief had been lost; and so she bore the cold as well as she could, without saying a word about it. The road they were travelling commanded a beautiful view of Sandown Bay and Culver Cliff, on which last, Mr. Merton told Agnes, was formerly erected a beacon to warn the inhabitants when any danger was apprehended of an invasion

from France, as this was the part of the Island that approached nearest to that country.

"The Isle of Wight was once invaded by the French," said Mrs. Merton, "but I believe it was in the reign of Henry V."

"It was invaded several times previously to that period," said Mr. Merton, "and also, I believe, once or twice in the reign of Henry VI.; and it was to repel these invasions," continued he, pointing to Sandown Fort, "that the fort we see before us was erected in the time of Charles I.; but we now trust to our shipping as our best protection. The only bed of coal that is worth working in the Isle of Wight, is in Culver Cliff."

They now approached the river, which flows inland from Brading haven, and which had greatly overflowed its banks; but Agnes was very much amused to see a little robin redbreast sitting on a stone in the middle of the water, looking as saucy and unconcerned as possible. A little farther on they approached the deep part of the water; and here the driver told Mrs. Merton and Agnes to sit as steady as possible, as the current was flowing with great violence, and the horse might be carried off his feet.

They did as he desired, and soon reached the opposite bank in safety. They had scarcely done so, when Agnes' attention was attracted by a little girl who was standing on the high bank just beyond the water, weeping bitterly. It was easy to guess the cause of her grief, for in the water lay the body of a little dog, which appeared to have been dashed by the current against some large stones near which it lay. They were all sorry for the poor little girl, and Mrs. Merton, telling the driver to stop, asked the little girl if it was her dog that she was crying

over.

"No, it was not mine," said the child, "it was