A naturalist's rambles on the Devonshire coast

Front matter

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Preface

The following pages I have endeavoured, as far as possible, to make a mirror of the thoughts and feelings that have occupied my own mind during a nine months’ residence on the charming shores of North and South Devon. There I have been pursuing an occupation which always possesses for me new delight, — the study of the curious forms, and still more curious instincts, of animated beings. So interesting, so attractive has the pursuit been, so unexpected in many instances the facts revealed by the research, that I have thought the attempt to convey, with pen and pencil, to others the impressions vividly received by myself might be a welcome service.

Few, very few, are at all aware of the many strange, beautiful, or wondrous objects that are to be found by searching on those shores that every season are crowded by idle pleasure-seekers. Most curious and interesting animals are dwelling within a few yards of your feet, whose lovely forms and hues, exquisitely contrived structures, and amusing instincts, could not fail to attract and charm your attention, if you were once cognizant of them. 44 But who will be our guide to such sources of interest ?” Deign to accept these pages as your 44 Hand-book” to the sea-side. They contain a faithful record of what actually has fallen under an individual’s observation in a single season, and may therefore be assumed to present a fair average of what may be expected again.

But I have not made a book of systematic zoology ; nor

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PREFACE.

a book of mere zoology of any sort. I venture to ask your companionship, courteous Reader, in my Rambles over field and down in the fresh dewy morning; I ask you to listen with me to the carol of the lark, and the hum of the wild bee ; I ask you to stand with me at the edge of the precipice and mark the glories of the setting sun; to watch with me the mantling tide as it rolls inward, and roars among the hollow caves ; I ask you to share with me the delightful emotions which the contemplation of unbounded beauty and beneficence ever calls up in the cultivated mind.

Hence I have not scrupled to sketch pen-pictures of the lovely and romantic scenery with which both the coasts of Devon abound ; and to press into my service personal narrative, local anecdote, and traditionary legend ; and, in short, any and every thing, that, having conveyed pleasure and interest to myself, I thought might entertain and please my reader. It is not the least of the advantages of the study of natural history, that it strengthens in us “the habit of wishing to discover the good and the beautiful in all that meet and surround us.”

If it should be objected that — to treat of the facts which science reveals to us, in any other manner than that technical measured style, which aims not at conveying any pleasurable emotions beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge, and is therefore satisfied with being coldly correct, — is to degrade science below its proper dignity, I would modestly reply that I think otherwise. That the increase of knowledge is in itself a pleasure to a healthy mind is surely true ; but is there not in our hearts a chord that thrills in response to the beautiful, the joyous, the perfect^ in Nature ? I aim to convey to my reader, to reflect , as it were, the complacency which is produced in my own mind by the contemplation of the excellence impressed on everything which God has created.

PREFACE.

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Wordsworth has said that man and nature are essentially adapted to each other, and that the mind of man is naturally the mirror of the fairest and most interesting properties of Nature. The same mighty mover of the human heart tells us that “ Poetry is the impassioned expression which is the countenance of all Science.” And all that is required to make the remotest discoveries of the Man of Science proper objects of the Poet’s art is familiarity with them, so that “ the relations under which they are contemplated by the student be manifestly and palpably material to us, as enjoying and suffering beings.”

Another eloquent writer thus speaks of the relation existing between Poetry and the Physical Sciences.

“ Such studies lift the mind into the truly sublime of nature. The poet’s dream is the dim reflection of a distant star : the philosopher’s revelation is a strong telescopic examination of its features. One is the mere echo of the remote whisper of nature’s voice in the dim twilight ; the other is the swelling music of the harp of Memnon, awakened by the Sun of truth, newly risen from the night of ignorance.”*4

Yet I would not have it supposed that I have ever stated the facts of Natural History in a loose, vague, imaginative way. Precision is the very soul of science, — precision in observation, truthfulness in record : and I should deem myself unworthy of a place among naturalists, if I were not studious to exhibit the phenomena of Nature with the most scrupulous care and fidelity. Humanum est errare : I dare not suppose I have escaped error ; but I am sure it is not the result of wilfulness, I trust it is not that of carelessness.

Some of the investigations here touched upon are of high interest to naturalists : such as those connected with

Hunt’s ‘Poetry of Science’, p. 292.

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PREFACE.

the alternation of generations, the embryology and development of the Zoophytes, and the nature and functions of their special organs. The varied forms and singular properties of the Thread-Capsules in the Polypes and the Medusse, in particular, have excited my own admiration.

The curious observations of Sir J. G. Dalyell and other zoologists on the propagation of the Hydroid Zoophytes, might seem to render those recorded in this volume needless; but the words of the indefatigable naturalist just named warrant the multiplication of observed facts. Speaking of the mysterious appearance of certain Medusa in connexion with Tuhularice , he says, “ Were similar instances recorded, our embarassments might be relieved ; for more frequent, easier, and stricter investigation being admitted, doubtless such a train of discovery, and thence the solution of what are to us the most abstruse problems, would follow.”

The plates have been all drawn from living nature, with the greatest attention to accuracy. They are twenty eight in number, of which twelve are printed in colours : they comprise about two hundred and forty figures of animals and their component parts, in many instances drawn with the aid of the microscope.

London: March 3 Oth, 1853.

Chapter I

A Flitting to the Coast — Rival Claims of North and South Devon— Marychurch selected — Beauty of Devonshire Lanes — Author’s Outfit — First exploring Jaunt — Babbicombe Sands — Pretty Rock-pool — Petit Tor — Jackdaws — Kestrel — Pollock-fishing on the Rocks — Boulders examined — Contents of a shallow Pool — Green Sea- worm — Smooth Anemone — Turning stones at Babbicombe — Finger- cutting Serpulse — Naked-gilled Mollusca — Their Elegance and Beauty — Manners in Captivity — Spawn of Doris — Form and Structure of the young — Anthea — Its Form and Colours — Voracity of an Eolis — Manners of Anthea — Its Mode of marching — of swimming — Beautiful Variety — Reflections. Page 1

Chapter II

Petit Tor — Squirrel — Limestone Ledge — Stone-borers — Anemones and Sea- weeds — Clear Rock-pools — Daisy Anemone — Difficulty of procuring Specimens — Mode of Operation — A Metamorphosis — Description of the Species — Tentacles — Colours — Varieties — Habits — Structure of the Tentacles — Thread- shooting Capsules— Petit Tor Pools — Thick horned Anemone — Description of the Species — Suggestions of Identity with A. coriacea — Its Habits — Beautiful Varieties — Changes of Figure — Deep Tide-pool — Prawn — Its Beauty of Colour — Changes produced by Exposure to Light. 21

Chapter III

A Visit to Brixham — The Road — Character of the Coast — Berry Castle — Legends — Brixham — Coast Scenery — Animals of the

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CONTENTS.

Shore— The Painted Scallop — Its Beauty — Mantle — Tentacles — Gem-like Eyes — Climbing Powers — Leaps — Mode of performing these misunderstood — Explanation — Functions and Structure of the Eyes — Structure of the Gills — Ciliary Action — Beauty of the Phenomenon — Oddicombe Rock-pool — Its F orm — Contents — The Feather-star — Its Habits in Captivity — Reproduction of its Limbs — Watcombe — Romantic Scenery Sandstone Cliffs — The Sea Lemon — The Purple Dye — Mode of applying it — Changes of Colour — Tor Abbey Sands — Shore Animals — The Pholas— Its Siphons — Their Use, Structure and Currents — Curious Contrivance — Anstey’s Cove — View from Babbicombe Downs — Skylark’s Song — Precipice of Limestone — Abundance of Animals — Pleurobranchus. 44

CHAPTER IY.

The Dead Man’s Fingers — Appearance when contracted — when expanded — Beauty of the flower-like Polypes — Structure — Spiculse — The Polypidom — Zoophytes and Crustacea upon Tangle — Small Nudibranchs and their Spawn — The Angled Laomedea — Its medusiform Young — Appearance, Manners

x *and Structure of the Embryo — Escape of one from the Vesicle — Regular Arrangement of the Zoophytes — The Rosy Anemone— Its Locality — Description — Habits — Structure — The Snowy-disked Anemone— Peculiarities of its Locality — Description— The Snake-locked Anemone — Description — Farewell to South Devon. 76

CHAPTER Y.

Ilfracombe — Beautiful Scenery — Walk to Watermouth — Hele — Hockey Lane— Fine Sea-view — Daws— Doves — Charms of Spring — Watermouth — Curious mode of Fishing — Grove of Flowers — Rabbits — Sharp Rocks — Gemmaceous Anemone — Living Madrepores — Their Localities — Appearance — Mode of detaching them— Their Structure — The Plates — Beauty of the Animal — Protrusion of the soft Parts — Their Translucency — Analogy with the Anemone — Brilliancy of Colours — • Tentacles — Cilia on their Surface — The globose Heads — The Tentacles are tubular — Imprisoned Animalcule— Sensibility

CONTENTS.

XI.

of the Madrepore to Light —Experiments in feeding them — Sense of Taste — Reproduction of Parts — The Frilled Bands — Their Use — Their Structure — Thread- Capsules — Singular Forms of these Organs — The Madrepore easily preserved alive. 101

CHAPTER VI.

A Walk to Hele — Bird’s-eye View of the Harbour — Quay Fields — Lion Rock — Hele Strand — A threatened Shipwreck — Eucratea — Description — Mode of Growth — Form of the Cell — Structure of the Polype— Tentacles — Digestive System — Muscular Bands — Evanescence of the radiate Character — Root- Thread — Snake-head Coralline — Frill — Vermicular Organs — Door and Hinge — Ciliated Cellularia — Cells — -Spines — Birds’ Heads — Their Motions — Slimy Laomedea — Structure of a Sertularian Zoophyte— Its Contraction — Marginal Folds of the Cell — Researches in Gastronomy — Anemones cooked — Eaten — Commended — Best mode of preparing them — Anthea tried. 128

CHAPTER VII.

Charm of the Sea-side— Watching the receding Tide — The Lion Rock — Approach of Evening — Its Accompaniments — The Warty Cycloum — Harvey’s Syrinx — Capstone Hill — Its Promenade— Precipitous Walks — Noble Prospects — Sunset — Bird’s-eye View— The Welsh Coast — Flowers — The Summit — Inland View — Seaward Rocks — Wildersmouth — A fatal Accident — The Gemmed Anemone — Description — Habits — Production of the Young — Sea-Spider — Black Sand -worm— A second Visit to Watermouth — Flowers — A Crab at Home — A walk to Lee — Beautiful Valley — Character of the Cove — Stone-turning — The Worm Pipe-fish— Its Form and Colours — Manners in Captivity — Intelligence— Appearance of Disease — Surgical Aid — Difficulties of Microscopical Sketching. 154

CHAPTER VIII.

Rock-pools — Their Abundance — Southey’s Description — Its truth to Nature — Their Loveliness — Chondrus — Its brilliant Reflec-

CONTENTS.

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tions — The Branching Coryne — A Parasite — A Beautiful Sea- weed — Structure of the Zoophyte — 'Origin of its Name — Tentacles — Their Structure — Egg Capsules — Escape of the Eggs — The Bird’s-head Coralline — Elegant Shape of the Polypidom — Advantage of studying living Animals — The Cell — The Polype — Its Organization — Muscles — Economy in God’s Works — A Populous Stone — Enumeration of its Tenants— Reflections — God’s Purpose in Creation — The hopeful Future — The Sessile Coryne — The Belgian Pedicellina— Its Form and Structure — Production of its Young — Its Habits — Its Affinities — The Slender Pedicellina — Its singular Bulb.

CHAPTER IX.

Metamorphosis of Lepralia — Appearance of the Gemmule — Budding of the Cell-spines — Development of the Polype — Growth —The Three-headed Coryne — Singular Use of its Disk — Beania — Coralline Light — Lime Light — Tubulipora — Marine Vivaria — The Principle explained — Elegance of Seaplants — Facilities for Study — Details of Experiments — • Mode of procuring the. Sea-weeds — Success — Anticpations — A curious Coincidence — Sponge- Crystals — Their elegant Form — Immense Numbers — Mutual Entanglement — Ciliated Sponge — Its crystal Coronet — Powers of Restoration. 218

CHAPTER X.

Respiration and Circulation — A Transparent Ascidia — Organs of Sight — Play of the Gills — Ciliary Waves — The Heart — Coursing of the Blood-globules — Reversal of the Current — “ Nature,” what is it J-^-The Praise of God — Luminosity of the Sea — A Charming Spectacle — Light-producing Zoophytes — Luminosity a Vital Function — Noctiluca, a Luminous Animalcule— Its Structure — Production of its Embryo — The Slender Coryne — Description — Parasites. 240

CHAPTER XI.

Hillsborough — Meaning of its Name — Its Grandeur — Its Flowers — Commanding Prospects — View Westward — Inland— Eastward— Seaward — Formation of a Beach — A Rock-slip — An-

CONTENTS.

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thea- -Its Tentacles retractile — Their Structure — Thread- Capsules — A Summer Morning Walk — Autumnal Flowers — Langley Open — The Hangman — Curious Legend — Coast Scenery — Lee — A Ship’s Travels — Solitude — Caves — Sponges — The Hispid Flustra — Its Appearance and Structure — Expansion of its Bells — Ciliary Action — A miniature Whirlpool— Visit to Braunton — Carn Top — Tragical Legend — Score Valley — Squirrels — Trentistowe — White Bindweed — Oak Hedges — Reaping — Braunton — Curious monumental Inscription— -Braunton Burrows — Sea- side Rocks — Marine Animals — Rare Plants on the Cliffs — Snails — Botany of the Burrows — Insects — Shells — The Feather Plumularia — Its Egg-Vesicles — Young Polypes — Their Development from Planules — Structure of the Polype. 261

CHAPTER XII.

A Visit to Smallmouth Caves — Chasm formed by a Rock-slip — View of Samson’s Bay — Samson’s Cave — Smallmouth — Natural Tunnel — View of Combmartin Bay — Brier Cave — Abundance of Animals — The Twining Campanularia — Form of its Cells — The Polypes — The Egg-Vesicles — Birth of a Medusoid — Its Form and Structure — Tentacles — Eyes — Circulating Canals — Alternation of Generations — Ride towards Barricane — A Showery Journey — Lee — Damage Farm — A. romantic Dell — Devonshire Wells — Rockham Bay — White Pebbles — Morte Stone — Shipwreck — Gallant Exploit — Morte — Tomb of De Tracy — Approach of a Storm — Kestrels' — Parasites on a Crab — The Bristle Plumularia — Birth of its Young — Dissolution — The Lobster’s Horn Coralline — Secondary Cells — Suggestion of their Purpose — Egg-Vesicles — Birth of the Planule — Its Development into the Polype-form —Death. 292

CHAPTER XIII.

Capstone Spout-Holes — Purple Hue of low Rocks — Tadpole of a Mollusk — Its Habits — Visit to Barricane — A Beach of Shells — Rock-pools — Their Contents — Antiopa — Its Spawn — Hatching of the Embryos — Immense Number in one Brood — The Torrs — Bloody Field — Flowers — View from the Cliff — Torr

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CONTENTS.

Point — Rocky Staircase — White Pebble Bay — Tide-pools — Maiden-hair Pern — The Precipice — A curious Medusoid — Medusoid Pishing — Mode of Operation — Difficulties — Thaumantias pilosella — Its Luminosity — Description of its Structure— The Umbrella — The Sub-Umbrella— The Peduncle — The Radiating Vessels — The Ovaries — The Tentacles — Pigment-cells— Eyes. 320

CHAPTER XIV.

Rapparee Cove — Strange Gravel — Its singular Origin — The Glassy iEquorea — Its Porm and Structure — The Porbesian HSquorea — The Bathing-Pool — Medusse therein — Description of a new Species — Its Habits — ■Luminousness — Distinctive Characters — The Ruby Medusa— Its first Occurrence — Wigmouth — Production of the Gemmules — Their Appearance — Motion of the Turris — Metamorphosis of the Gemmules — Their Polype-form — Goodness of God in the Beautiful — A Christian’s Interest in Nature — The Redeemed Inheritance — The Crystalline Johnstonella — Its Beauty — Its Doubtful Affinities— The Starry Willsia — Parasitic Leech — Thread- Capsules— Nature of these Organs. 338

CHAPTER XV.

This Coast favourable for Oceanic Productions — The Red-lined Medusa — Its Porm and Structure — The Eyes — The Purbelows — A parasitic Shrimp — Its supposed Young — Beauty of the Medusa — Its Prehensile Powers — Capture of Prey — Curious Mode of eating — Experiments — New Use of the Furbelows — Development of the Eggs — Their Structure — Thread-Capsules — Synonymy — The White Pelagia — The Mantis Shrimp — Its spectral Figure and strange Actions — Its Weapons — The Caddis Shrimp — The Tiny Oceania — Busk’s Thaumantias — The Fairy’s Cap. 363

CHAPTER XVI.

The Maritime Bristle-tail — Its Nocturnal Habits — Discovery of its Retreats — Its Companions — The Scarce Polynoe — Its Armoury of Weapons — A, rocky Bay — Romantic Incident —

CONTENTS.

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Chivalrous Self-sacrifice — The Tunnels — Crewkhorne Cavern — The Torr Cliffs — Precipitous Path — Torr Point — Solitude — The Scarlet and Gold Madrepore — Scene of its Discovery — Description of the Species — Its Microscopical Structure — The Stony Skeleton— Thread -Capsules of Actinia — The Club-bearing Medusa — Entanglement of Air — Structure of the Tentacles — The Eyes. 389

CHAPTER XVII.

Various Effects of Light on Scenery — Ode to Light — The Sabella — Its Tube — Its Crown of Plumes — Eatal Attack — Discovery of more Specimens — Laborious Mode of Procuring them — The Young — Reproduction of the Crown — The Corynactis — A low Spring-tide — The Tunnel Rocks — Discovery of the Species — Its Form, Structure, and Colours — Manner of taking Pood — Thread- Capsules — Their elaborate Structure — Propulsion of the Thread — Identification of the Species — The Purple-spotted Anemone — Its Locality and Manners — Its Form and Colours — Thread- Capsules — Nature of these Organs — Systematic List of Zoophytes — Conclusion. 412

Appendix

Marine Vivaria — Facts Established — Ozone— Its Mode of Action — Application of Principles — Aquaria in the Zoological Gardens— Parlour Aquarium. 439

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LIST OF PLATES

LIST OF PLATES.

Plate

1 Actinia bellis, &c.

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Pleurobranchus, &c.

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Alcyonium, &c.

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Laomedea genicuiata

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Caryophyllia Smithii

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Eucratea chelata, &c.

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Cellularia ciliata, &c.

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Actinia gemmacea, &c.

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Coryne ramosa

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Cellularia avicularia

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Antennularia antennina

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9*

Pedicellinae

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Lepralia, &c.

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Corynes

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Clavellina, &c.

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Coryne stauridia, &c.

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Plumularia pinnata

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Campanularia

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Medusoid of Campanularia

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Willsia, &c.

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Thaumantias Corynetes

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Medusoid of Coryne, &c.

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JEquorea vitrina

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JEquorea Forbesiana

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Jobnstonella Catharina

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Balanophyllia, &c. -

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Chrysaora. -

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( Frontispiece )

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A NATURALIST’S RAMBLES.