Glimpses of Ocean Life; Or, Rock-Pools and the Lessons they Teach

The cover image was rejuvenated by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
'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.
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 )
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.



'Woe to the man— Who studies nature with a wanton eye, Admires the work, but slips the lesson by.'

As every fresh branch of investigation in natural history has a tendency to gather around it a rapidly accumulating literature, some explanation may probably be looked for from an author who offers a new contribution to the public. And when, as in the present instance, the writer's intentions are of an humble kind, it is the more desirable that he should state his views at the outset. Nor can the force of this claim be supposed to be lessened, from the gratifying fact, that the present writer has already received a warm welcome from the public.
But, before entering upon any personal explanations, it may not be out of place, in an introductory chapter such as the present, to bring under review some of the objections which have been, and still continue to be urged against this, in common with other departments of study, which are attempted to be made popular. No branch of natural history has been subjected to more disparaging opposition, partly, it must be owned, from the misplaced enthusiasm of over zealous students, than that of marine zoology.