Page:The fairy tales of science.djvu/159



flowers of the sea far surpass those of the land in splendid and gorgeous colouring. In the "gardens of Nereus" there are anemones of the richest crimson, purple, and orange; chrysanthemums, beautifully striped and variegated; carnations, whose petals are exquisitely cut and fringed; and dahlias, so perfect in form that they could not fail to win the admiration of enthusiastic flower-fanciers.

But these flowers are not only beautiful. Nature has endowed them with wonderful powers. They fold and expand their petals at will; some of them can move from place to place; and others are so peculiarly sensitive, that the slightest touch will cause them to shrink into shapeless lumps of jelly.

What are these extraordinary beings? Are they plants or animals, or do they stand upon some debateable ground between the two great kingdoms of