Molly and May walked along a narrow path close beside the glass wall, and watched the queer fish chase each other about in the water or lie lazily under the shadow of a big rock.
At last Molly said, "Why, the bottom of the ocean looks very much like the top of the earth. There are hills and valleys and rocks and sand and green things growing everywhere."
"See that tiny forest of pink coral. I suppose our coral neck chains grew at the bottom of the ocean in just that way."
"And see those timid little animals peeping from the doors of their pretty shell houses. I wonder if they like always to carry about such heavy houses on their backs."
"Here is a whole family of lazy turtles," called May. "Look at that big fellow! I believe his shell is large enough for me to creep into, if he were not inside of it."
"Look at that big fellow!"
"I advise you not to try it while he is there," said her father. "If he once took a bite of you, he would never let go."
"Oh, my!" exclaimed Molly. "But see those little starfish and that big soft jellyfish. They are not afraid of the turtle. And those eels are playing close about him."
Just then a frightened scream came from May, who had walked ahead of the others.