THE "HYDROPHIL."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1292, 22 November 1911, Page 11

THE "HYDROPHIL."

Ihe seaside child has been scientifically observed by Mr. Laurence North, who chnsteus it "hydrophil," and writes of it learnedly in the "Windsor Magazine":— ' The hydrophils (he says) arc bipods, erect upon two legs, and curiously similar to the human species. Yet although the bipedal characteristic is most usual in the water, except during the actual enjoyment of swimming, there is also a curious survival of the quadruped, especially when the sand claims the creatures. Then they move, principally on all fours, and display the most marvellous dexterity in this form of locomotion.

This opens up vast avenues of speculation as to tile origin of the species, and exasperated guardians have been heard to utter the exclamation 'Monkeys!' which may or may not havo a far-reaching significance, into which we cannot enter at present.. It is believed that, during the winter, the male and female hyrtrophil hold rather aloof from each other in their play, but while the marine migration lasts, tho sexes make common causo in every interest, and undertaking. Of the female it is difficult to speak with certainty, for this kind is always baffling to tho philosopher. Some salient features, however, it is possible to note. The colouring of the outer 'integument is. principally dark blue from neck to -belowv.thfl waist.-. Lower thero occurs a gleam of' whifoj'ending "in bare brown limbs, very supple and graceful when tho podgy stago of extreme infancy is past. Both male and female aro armed with quaint implements, ono o{ wood, resembling the paddlo of a canoe, the other of tin, a truncated ci»no closed at the narrower ond, and fitted at tho wider and open end with a bow handle. "These auxiliaries havo nothing to do with the procuring of food—which is entirely managed by the adults—but exist for pleasure only. With the wooden instrument tho hydrophils dig in tho sand, with tho tin, which somo authorities have called a 'pail' or 'bucket' • (Dr. Dumm disputes this), they carry wafer and make sand-moulds (Sandpuddings, Hinterschlag calls thou very pi,cturesqely). They parform prodigies of architectural and engineering skill. Castles with deep moats, tuuncls and bridges appear everywhere along tho shore, and some hydrophils oven attempt sculpture with wonderful cleverness."