Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/73

42 were unusually fine, and the former species, which is generally found with the summit of the shell worn away so as to expose the nacre, was almost universally perfect and unworn.

A slanting ledge farther on, dipping down into the tide, and well covered with matted Fucus, had some narrow fissures, which we examined. In these we found the little Shanny (Blennius pholis), or Tansy, as it is called here, a fish rarely exceeding five inches in length, which delights in such restricted limits; it is remarkable for the variety of its colours, scarcely two being found alike; these are often pretty, and its brilliant scarlet eyes make it attractive. It is one of the most suitable fishes for an Aquarium, as it is readily procured, bears handling with impunity, quickly becomes reconciled to imprisonment, and will continue healthy with a far lower supply of oxygen in its water than many others could tolerate for a single day. I may have occasion to speak of this little fellow again.

As we saw no probability of finding here anything that we could not procure any day under the Nothe or Byng Cliff, we at length deserted the shore, and roamed a little way up the hill. It was near the end of April; the Cowslips were shooting up their erect yellow tufts in great profusion through the short turf, and the air was loaded with their sugary fragrance. Where the ground was broken, the blue Hyacinth was also in blossom; and the two elegant flowers mingled their tall succulent pillar-like stalks in gentle rivalry both being remarkably fine of their kind. The Spinous or Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima) was just clothing its