The substance of these pages originally appeared in Blackwood's Magazine during the years 1856 and 1857. They are now republished with considerable alterations and additions, which, it is hoped, will render them more useful to the amateur and student of Natural History.I have endeavoured to furnish the visitor to the seaside with plain directions, by means of which he may study and enjoy the marvels of ocean-life ;and to present such descriptions of the animals, and the wonders of their organisation, as may interest the reader by his own fireside. With regard to the former, having had to ascertain almost everything for myself, I have tried to make my experience available for others; and the remembrance of early difficulties has suggested the statement of many details which to the well-informed may appear trivial, but for which I should myself have been very grateful.
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