The sea-side book ; being an introduction to the natural history of the british coasts

A Notice of this work, published in 1849, may seem somewhat out of date in 1853 ; but, in the first place, even had not the brief existence of this Journal necessarily prevented an earlier reference to it, we do not think that the mere lapse of time since its appearance should deter us from recommending to our readers so pleasant and instructive a companion, especially at this season of the year, when so many of them, as we hope, will be preparing for a sea-side ramble, and about to enjoy, for health or relaxation, the vivifying breezes of the ocean. Neither is a notice of the book out of place in this Journal, seeing that Dr. Harvey has devoted a chapter, and a very interesting one, specially to the “Microscopic Wonders of the Sea.”^*

The “sea!” that magic word to the wearied denizen of towns, whose only glimpse of nature, perhaps for eleven months in the year, is obtained in a dusty, suburban road, or London square ;—with what varied tastes are its refreshing breezes sought, and in what different senses enjoyed ! but to none, perhaps, does it offer greater attraction than to those who delight in inquiring into the microscopic world of nature. Nowhere in her wide domain will be found so many, and such diverse objects of microscopic research as are afforded in the sea, and on its rocky or sandy shores. On rock or sand, bare, or covered with the russet garb of Nereis, the diligent seeker will never fail to find subjects for contemplation, endless interest, and instructive study. The pages of the Transactions of the Microscopical Society alone, bear witness to the numerous objects of research afforded in the tiny denizens of the sea ; and to the attentive microscopic study of these creatures are we greatly indebted for many important advances which have of late been made in physiological and anatomical knowledge. To these creatures, as well as to many others, Professor Harvey’s little work will afford a pleasant introduction. All, of course, do not take interest in the same subject ; and here we naturally address ourselves only to those whose predilections may incline them to investigate the habits and structure of the minutest works of Nature, with which the shore will so abundantly supply them, or with which they may supply themselves, by the aid of very simple appliances.

In his fourth chapter, Professor Harvey, in discoursing of the “Zoology of the rocky sea-shore,” says—” In the vegetation of the sea nature has provided both shelter and food for an infinitude of animals Troop after troop of animals, one more highly organized than another, either derives its nourishment from the sea-weed itself, or uses the submarine forest as a hunting-ground, where it fulfils the appointed course of its busy life. Adhering to the roots of sea-weeds we find the scarcely organized, but obviously animated, sponge To the stems and leaves adhere multitudes of incrusting animals, some of which, till we examine them somewhat closely, and watch their animal motions and propensities with some care, seem to consist merely of masses of jelly ; while others display in their outward forms the branching appearance of mosses ; every branch clothed with scales, and crowned, when the animal is in vigour, with starry flowers.”

The latter class, or the so-termed zoophytes, will almost everywhere afford the most varied and interesting objects for microscopic observation. For an account of the different species to be met with on the British coasts, the best works of reference are Dr. Johnston’s ‘British Zoophytes,’ or for those who may be content with a less extensive work—a little book, of which we have given a notice in a previous number—Dr. Landsborough’s ‘Popular British Zoophytes.’^* Some of these creatures will be found adhering to the side of almost every rock-pool left by the retiring tide, or adhering to the roots or leaves of numerous fuci. Many appear to prefer old shells or loose pebbles, and some of the most beautiful and interesting forms will be found in such situations ; in appearance to the naked eye — nothing but a scurfy scale. These rocky or tidal pools should be often and diligently searched ; for the number and variety of minute animal and vegetable forms to be found within the narrow precincts of one of these Lilliputian lakes is astonishing. “Nothing,” as Dr. Harvey says, “ can exceed the beauty of a clear rockpool seen under strong sunlight, and through a calm surface, tenanted by its various animated tribes, all fulfilling the duties allotted to their several kinds.” In them will be found, adhering to the weeds, or to the rocks themselves, an infinitude of species of Zoophytes, sponges, minute crustaceans, and the elegant forms of different Lucernariæ, together with many of the smaller and most delicate fuci. Leaving the rocks for the more sandy parts of the shore, we shall find “along the margin of the tide, as well as at different levels of the beach, and in the crevices of the rock-pools, small patches of drifted sand and shells, the examination of which will often afford the patient explorer a rich treat.”—” Careful examination with a lens will generally detect a multitude of minute shells, some of very strange shapes, and others structures of great elegance.” These are the various species of Foramimfera, with many of which, in the dead state, most of our readers arc probably well acquainted ; few, however, have studied them in a living condition, and this study we would recommend as one of great interest and importance. The same drift-sand will often be found to contain a “wonderful variety of minute spiral univalve shells,” “though these are scarcely of so small a size as to come within the list of genuine microscopic objects.” “Others may be obtained by the gatherers of sea-weeds with little trouble, if they will only preserve the sediment that collects in the water in which the sea-weeds are washed.” “When the sea-weeds are plunged into fresh water, these minute molluscs (Hissoœ) are quickly killed, and fall to the bottom, and may then be secured by simply straining the water through a piece of canvas. Many other minute and curious animals, and sometimes Diatamaceae, may be collected in a similar way.”

Having thus surveyed the rocks, and sands, and weeds of the shore above low-water mark—if we launch upon the deep itself, a similar abundance of minute and interesting forms is still presented to us. A small muslin bag, the mouth of which is kept open by a wire-ring about 4 inches in diameter —towed slowly behind a boat, on a calm and bright day in any sheltered bay or inlet—will be found to gather multitudes of creatures of tbe most beautiful forms, and occasionally most brilliant colours creatures whose crystalline substance affords to our wondering gaze a ready insight into many things connected with the structure of the lower animals, which will in vain be sought elsewhere. In this way are collected the numerous species of minute naked-eyed Medusœ, so well described and graphically figured in Professor Ed. Forbes’ work,^* cited below, and which should accompany every microscopic observer to the sea-side. Nothing can be conceived more elegant and graceful than the motions of these minute crystalline bodies in a glass of water. Some as brilliant as diamonds with tiny emeralds set round the edge ; others like the beautiful Turns neglecta, resembling rubies encased in crystal—rising and sinking through the clear water with the most easy and elegant movements. In the dark, also, most of these little gems will be seen to be furnished with a row of luminous spots around the edge of the disc, at the base of the tentacles, and it is to them, in great measure, that the luminosity of the sea is owing. On almost every part of the coast, besides these forms and the allied Beroes, the towing-net will frequently gather innumerable specimens of a creature resembling a slender spicula of glass, about an inch in length, but which is so slender and so transparent as to be almost invisible except in a particular direction of the light— this is the Sagitta bipunctata, and its simple structure affords an excellent subject of microscopic research. When fishing for objects of this kind, it is best to have in the boat a large white basin half filled with sea-water, and into this the towing-net is to be inverted and gently shaken every now and then. In this way the delicate creatures it contains will come out of it without injury, and though themselves, perhaps, at first wholly invisible, their shadows will be seen with great distinctness against the white bottom of the basin, and thus many forms which might otherwise altogether escape observation, be rendered evident.

The microscopic wonders of the sea, however, are still far from exhausted ; it presents as many, if not more, curiosities at the bottom, where its depths are never opened to view, than at the surface. The best and most convenient mode of obtaining these, is by the use of an instrument, with which all, perhaps, are acquainted in one shape or another, viz., the dredge ; but the naturalist’s dredge is not a stone dredge, or a mud dredge, or an oyster dredge, or in fact anything but what it is, the “naturalist’s dredge.” An instrument of this kind is figured and described by Dr. Harvey; but its construction is very simple, and may be effected, if need be, by almost any country blacksmith. The essential qualities of a dredge of this kind are, a small and convenient size, with sufficient weight to ensure its sinking to, and keeping at, the bottom, even when at a considerable depth and drawn with some velocity through the water. The dredge we have been in the habit of using for several years past is made of cast-iron, which reduces the cost considerably—and it is in practice found to be sufficiently strong. It is about 18 inches in length, and the opening is about 4 inches wide—the two sides diverging outwards, at a slight angle, and coming to a sharp edge. It packs with the net-bag in a box about 2 feet long and 6 inches wide and high, and consequently makes a convenient-sized package. For the little information requisite in the use of the dredge, we would refer to Dr. Harvey’s chapter on the subject, and will merely remark, that “dredging” will be found as pleasing and interesting a pursuit at the sea-side as any that can be there followed, and one that more than any other will, at times, be rewarded by an abundant harvest of objects of natural history.

Recommending our readers thus to invade the domains of Neptune, armed with microscope, towing-net, and dredge, we can assure them that no one will have cause, even in the most secluded nook of the coast, to complain of a single dull hour, and if he does not return to his labours reinvigorated both in body and mind, and with a fund of subjects for instructive contemplation for the year to come, all we can say is—that it will be entirely his own fault.