Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/77

46 many parts of His word, such as the Psalms of David, the Proverbs of Solomon, the Book of Job, and the teachings of the Lord Jesus himself, instruct us how to do this, and furnish us with examples, in the various details of the habits, instincts and economy of what we call the Works of Nature. It is given as the solemn condemnation of the polished nations of antiquity, that "when they knew God [viz. in the works of His creation] they glorified Him not as God" (Rom. i. 21). It was not that men were lacking among them who, as now, in their measure, studied and admired the works of Nature, so called, but no praise, no glory, accrued to God from their studies.

There is found in the crannies and clefts of the rocky ledges, and beneath stones that lie at the verge of low water, a little Crab of somewhat peculiar structure and no less interesting habits, which affords me the text for my discourse above written. Broad-claw (Porcellana platycheles), one of those interesting species that connect groups differing very widely from each other in their typical forms. The common Crab and the Lobster appear very remote from each other in their obvious characters, but these Porcelain Crabs occupy a "debatable ground" between them. Any one on looking at one would say in a moment, it is a mistakable, and the thin abdomen or tail is carried just as the Common Crab carries his, pressed close up to the under side of the chest. But when we come It is the Hairy ab; its broad, flat carapace is unto examine it closely, we find the last joint of this very abdomen furnished with fringed swimming-plates, like that of a Lobster, the foot-jaws are largely