www.freeclassicebooks.com

flowerpots, with the upper edges fluted, and from the centers floated what seemed

to be bouquets of flowers.

How pretty!" exclaimed Trot, enraptured by the sight.

Yes, this is a rare variety of jellyfish," replied Merla. "The creatures are not so

delicate as they appear, and live for a long time--unless they get too near the

surface and the waves wash them ashore."

After watching the jellyfish a few moments, they followed Merla through the grove,

and soon a low chant, like that of an Indian song, fell upon their ears. It was a

chorus of many small voices and grew louder as they swam on. Presently a big

rock rose suddenly before them from the bottom of the sea, rearing its steep side

far up into the water overhead, and this rock was thickly covered with tiny shells

that clung fast to its surface. The chorus they heard appeared to come from these

shells, and Merla said to her companions, "These are the singing barnacles. They

are really very amusing, and if you listen carefully, you can hear what they say."

So Trot and Cap'n Bill listened, and this is what the barnacles sang:

We went to topsy-turvy land to see a man-o'-war, And we were much attached

to it, because we simply were; We found an anchor-ite within the mud upon the

lea For the ghost of Jonah's whale he ran away and went to sea. Oh, it was

awful! It was unlawful! We rallied round the flag in sev'ral millions; They

couldn't shake us; They had to take us; So the halibut and cod they danced

cotillions."

What does it all mean?" asked Trot.

I suppose they refer to the way barnacles have of clinging to ships," replied

Merla, "but usually the songs mean nothing at all. The little barnacles haven't

many brains, so we usually find their songs quite stupid."

Do they write some comic operas?" asked the child.

I think not," answered the mermaid.

They seem to like the songs themselves," remarked Cap'n Bill.

Oh yes, they sing all day long. But it never matters to them whether their songs

mean anything or not. Let us go in this direction and visit some other sea people."

So they swam away from the barnacle-covered rock, and Trot heard the last

chorus as she slowly followed their conductor. The barnacles were singing:

The Sea Fairies