Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/119

78 Wood Horsetail were piercing the turf, and between the oval plaited leaves of the Tway-blade, which was very abundant, the tall flowerstalk was shooting. The Beeches were just clothing their twigs with tender yellow leaves, and their beautiful grey smooth trunks were profusely embraced by the clinging Ivy. Every thing wore a delightful freshness:

"The sweet buds Had not yet lost their starry diadems Caught from the early sobbing of the morn." author:John Keats

In the rough bark of an old willow I found half an hour's amusement, in obtaining a pocket-box-full of a very elegant but not uncommon shell, Clausilia nigricans. It is remarkable for having a sort of spring-door to its shell, composed of a shelly plate affixed to a highly elastic calcareous thread, which, while it allows the door to be pushed aside by the animal when it protrudes, closes tightly of its own accord the instant it withdraws. Dr. J. E. Gray calls one of the most wonderful contrivances employed by Nature for the protection of the Mollusca."

Birds were busy in the little grove, all intent on their own concerns, careless of our intrusion. Two Magpies were loudly brawling in a tree over our heads; Blackbirds all around were pouring forth their mellow notes; one was sitting on the top of a tall post, flirting and opening his tail as he uttered his clear whistle, and in the very height of enjoyment; at my approach away he flies, finishing the strain as he