From the tinted1 tips of fragile corals to the ooze3 on the edge of the beach sand there is seething4 life. Exposed by the ebb5 tide, the sun-caressed slime glitters and shimmers6, so that if the observer is content to stand still for a few moments he shall see myriads7 of obscure activities, graceful8 and uncouth9, of the existence of which he has not previously10 dreamt and among which his footsteps make a desolating11 track. Perhaps in no other earthly scene do the gradations of life blend so obviously in form and appearance. This mud is primal12, fertile with primitives14, for similitude of environment checks variations.
In such tepid15 slime primordial16 life began, and in it even in these latter days the far beginning of superior things may be discovered actively17 pursuing their craft and purpose in the order of the universe. Worms are abundant, and among them certain genera which might be taken as apt illustrations of the more significant facts of evolution. Studying them, the parting of the ways between two distinct orders, each having a conspicuous18 feature in common while differing in appearance and habits generally, is made strangely plain, and I propose in my unversed way to demonstrate the line of upward development in a few examples.
Accepting as a primitive13 form that deplorably thin, phantasmal worm which excavates19 in the ooze an appropriately narrow shaft20 indicated by a dimple, or, in some cases, a swelling21 mound22 with a well-defined crater23 and circular pipe, the ascent24 of the genealogical tree is not beset25 with any great difficulty. These worms are grey in colour and shoddy in texture26, merely a tough description of slime with a crude head and long, simple filaments28. The sides of the shafts29 are smooth, and on the least alarm the nervous inhabitant retracts30 with surprising alertness. Slightly superior in grade, but in uninterrupted succession, is a similar worm which solidifies32 its shaft with a kind of mortar33 and carries it up above the level of the ooze about an inch or so — a crude effort in the direction of the acquirement of some ease of circumstance. These flue-like projections34 are more frequent on the verge35 of the sandy beach.
The next in order — still slim, though of a slightly more robust36 habit of body — has acquired the art of spinning (caterpillar37-like) a cocoon38, and of causing to adhere to the exterior39 thereof grains of sand and minute chips of shell. Though this vestlet is very frail40 and though the sandy outer coat is liable to drop off (when it collapses42 altogether), it seems to me to indicate distinct progress, a successful accomplishment43 in the direction of isolation44, independence, and security. Does it not signify that the animal has a certain perception of the knowledge of good and evil such as dawned upon Eve as she ate the diverting apple? Eve forthwith took to fig-leaves; the slim worm knitted a shoddy wrapper and reinforced it with grains of sand when it realised that there was something better than slush for a dwelling45. The sandy coverlet is evidence of the gift of discrimination.
A still more highly endowed relation spins a similar fabric46, upon which are loosely agglutinated numbers of small dead shells, grit47, and even opercula a quarter of an inch in diameter. In weight, size, and number of its constituents48 this exterior armour49 is altogether disproportionate to the extreme tenuity of its foundation. Too unsubstantial to sustain its own weight, it sprawls50, like the track of a tipsy snail51, indeterminately, slowly developing its sinuosities over the irregular surface of a rock, and slightly adherent52 thereto, throughout its whole length. Of this there seem to be several nicely shaded grades, some in the form of galleries laboriously53 built of a mixture of mud and sand, and each indicating superiority to the naked denizen55 of the clement56 mud. They seem to be superior in appearances also, for some of the animals display brightly coloured plume-like tentacles57, long and capable of being ostentatiously fluttered.
The individual worm next to be described typifies such a wonderful advance that it might almost be designated a subsequent and intrusive59 sport, no marked are the distinctions it exhibits. It is one of the shell-binders (PECTINARIA), but its mansion60 of mosaics61 is unique and beautiful. In the universal struggle for place, self-preservation62, and food, the animal has acquired a higher order of intelligence and keener perceptions of safety and of the niceties of life than its fellows. Living in sand and mud, in obedience63 to some gracious instinct, it gathers numbers of small shells, grit, and fragments of coral wherewith to construct a tube, somewhat similar in shape to the horn of cornucopia64, and from three to six inches long. The materials are cemented together in accordance with a symmetrical design, the interior being lined with a transparent65 substance, which, when dry, is readily separable from the casing! This creature accomplishes by calculation, choice, and dexterity66 that which a subtle chemical process does unconsciously for the more advanced mollusc, and that it practised the art of the interlocking of atoms ages before the birth of Macadam can scarcely be doubted.
My imagination loves to dwell on the perceptive67 faculties68 possessed69 by this lowly creature, a creature soft and delicate, merely such and such a length of gelatinous substance, slightly stiffened70 and toughened and graced with a pair of tentacles glittering like tinsel extended from a marvellously constructed tube.
In certain structural71 details the animal (which in appearance has greater resemblance to a caterpillar than a worm) is even more remarkable72 than the ornate dwelling it constructs, for it is an actual though living prototype of the fabled73 race (catalogued by Othello with the anthropophagi)—
“Whose heads
Do grow beneath their shoulders.”
The paradox74 exists, not as a whim75 or grimace76 on the part of Nature but for a definite and vital end. In default the animal would be unable to obey the first law of Nature — self preservation — for it is soft-bodied and its dwelling has the serious defect of being open at both ends. In such plight77 lacking special organs it would be at cruel advantage in the struggle for existence. The posterior segment of the body is therefore developed into an operculum-like organ, smooth and of horny texture, which closes the narrow end of the tube. The other extremity78 is more elaborately guarded, the anterior79 segment being fringed with a frontal membrane80, while the second segment forms a disc, the minute mouth orifice with the true tentacles and gills being debased to the third segment.
Confronted by danger, the animal closes its front door by retracting81 until the disc presses immovably against the circumference82 of the tube, the retraction83 being so sudden that a frail spurt84 betrays the whereabouts of an otherwise secret dwelling-place. In the centre of the disc is the first segment, from which the frontal fringe is extended in the form of an array of keen bristles85 as a defensive86 weapon. With the lid at one end and the armed disc at the other the animal enjoys security and comfort, and when unsuspicious the “shoulders” protrude87, the head meekly88 following. The tentacles are serrate and glitter like tinsel, possibly for the fascination89 of the minute forms of life which the tube-dweller consumes. To enable it to retract31 and emerge quickly the animal is provided with a series of tufts of bristles on the back and on the ventral surface of the body with a row of toothed “pads,” which fulfil the dual58 office of grapplers and feet.
With what skill and patience does this pectinarian construct its ornate habitation! How artfully does it pick and choose among the tiny shells and grit! With what rare discretion90 rejects the unfit, and with what satisfaction retains a neat and dainty item of building material! How deftly91 does it arrange its courses and bonds, cementing each fragment in its place until a perfect cylinder92, proportionate in dimensions, uniformly expanding in circumference, smooth within, rugged93 without, scientifically correct in design, is the result! How apt, too, the frictionless94 lining95! And all this laborious54 neatness and precision absorbed in the construction of a tenement96 which has no time! Does the inmate97 possess any sense of duration? Addison (quoting a French authority) says that it is possible some creatures may think half an hour as long as we do a thousand years! The magnificent mind of the modern biologist regards a million of years as a mere27 fag-end of time. The industrious98 worm which has built so choice a home may have enjoyed the sense of comfort and security for a period representing an honourable99 age, while, according to the standards of man, the home was not worth the building for so short a tenancy.
Do we not see in this astonishing example a highly successful effort of a marine100 worm to improve on the condition and habits of its barbarous ancestors? Analyse a bulk sample of the building material, and you shall find it not dissimilar from the shell of a mollusc, and the interior film — no doubt a secretion101 of the animal — is to be safely accepted as analogous102 to the silky smoothness which molluscs (often of rough and rugged exterior) obtain by nacreous deposit and which finds its culmination103 in the goldlip mother-of-pearl?
Still higher in the series, so far as the construction of a tenement is concerned, is that known as the SERPULA, a worm which constructs a calcareous tube more or less loosely convoluted104 and adherent to a shell or stone or coral, or sometimes entwined into a self-supporting colony.
Another worm builds of sand or mud, with a rough casting of fine gravel105 and shell-grit, a habitation similar in design to that of the serpula, though on a less complete and authoritative106 model; indeed, it would almost seem that the latter had designed its tenement after the fashion of that of its poor relation — that the one made a study in mud which the other reproduced in carbonate of lime. But the most curious fact is that a true mollusc (VERMETUS) so far departs from the fashion prevalent in the molluscan world of building a spiral shell, that after beginning one in proper spiral mode it elongates107 itself in vermiform manner and forms an irregular serpuloid tube on the surface of larger shells or stones just as the SERPULA does; so that without examination of the animal one may easily be mistaken for the other.
What a contrast is here — on the one hand a lowly worm learning to build a solid if rude shelly covering for its tender body, on the other a relative of the elegant, many-whorled TURRITELLA forgetting its high station and degenerating108 to the likeness109 of a worm. No doubt it is really a case of degeneration from the acquirement of fixed110 habits, just as when a lively young crustacean111 larva gives up its free independent life and glues its head to a stone — what happens? Why, he becomes a mere barnacle instead of a spritely shrimp112 as he might have been! Let mankind take note and beware.
Another group of worm-like or snaky creatures common on a coral-reef are the sea-cucumbers or bêche-de-mer. In my experience the most singular branch of the family is at once the longest and thinnest, for it resembles a snake so closely that at first sight the observer subconsciously113 assumes an attitude of hostility114. There seem to be two varieties of the species. One is much more ruddy in appearance than the other, and its body is the smoother; but they are much alike in physique and helplessness. The figure of a sausage-skin four or five and even six feet long, and capable of elongation to almost double, containing muddy water in circulation and one end exhibiting a set of ever-waving tentacles, conveys a not unflattering notion of the animal as it lies coiled among the coral, half hidden with algae116. Far too feeble to be offensive, it suffers collapse41 on alarm — that is to say, if such a violent mental and physical ill can befall an animal of such crude organism. At least, the tentacles are withdrawn117, nor will they be protruded119 until some sense — unlikely to be either sight, hearing, taste, or touch, but probably nervous tension acutely susceptible120 to vibrations121 — tells that danger is past. Then the tentacles are shyly exhibited and the agitations122 of the animal are renewed.
Throughout the length of the body of the more remarkable of the two species of which I may speak on first-hand knowledge are four rows of bosses, closely spaced, which when the animal has dragged its slow length along to the utmost limit diminish into mere wrinkles, and disappear altogether when it is slung123 across a stick, and the fluid contents, being precipitated124, congest and woefully weight each end, sometimes to the bursting-point. The bosses of repose125 seem to indicate so much length in reserve. A dozen simple tentacles, sword-shaped, with frayed126 edges, and about an inch and a half long, indicate the head without decorating it, for they are of an inconspicuous neutral tint2, closely resembling the alga among which the animal slowly winds its way.
The progress of all species of bêche-de-mer is sedate127 and cautious, and this, probably the longest and the weakest and limpest of all, surpasses the race in deliberateness. It cannot move as a whole, so it progresses in sections. When the head has been advanced to its utmost, about the middle of the body an independent series of succeedant ripples128 or wrinkles manifests itself and travels consistently ahead, while farther towards the rear another series follows, and so on, until the lagging tail is enabled to wrinkle itself along. But the animal is endowed with the capacity of quite suddenly retracting its forepart like the bellows129 of a concertina, and when so compressed to heave it backward or in any direction, so that an immediate130 change of route is possible. The retraction and uplifting of the foreshortened part is astonishingly rapid in view of the methodic movements of the animal as a whole. It is also notable that when the retraction takes place the tentacles are entirely131 withdrawn, otherwise they are for ever anxiously exploring every inch of the toilsome way. Scientific men have entitled one of the species — possibly the very one blunderingly introduced — SYNAPTA BESELLII, and brief reference is made to it elsewhere.
One member of the great “sea-cucumber,” or BêCHE-DE-MER, family is especially noticeable because it is decorated with colours of which a gaily132 plumaged bird might be envious133, though it has no other claim to comeliness134. Most primitive in form — merely a flattened135 sac, oval and four inches long by three inches broad, with a purple and white mouth puckered136 as if contracted by a drawn118 string. Its general tint is grey; longitudinal bands of scarlet137, green, violet, and purple radiate from the posterior and converge138 at the mouth, the hues139 blending rainbow-like. The brighter colours seem to have been carelessly and profusely141 applied142, for they run when touched and smear143 the fingers. Among a family generally sad-hued and shrinking so conspicuous an example is quite prodigal144 and invites one to ponder upon the sportfulness of Nature. What special office in her processes does this fop of the species with prismatic complexion145 perform?
The functions of bêche-de-mer are not only interesting, but requisite146 in the commonwealth147 of the coral reef, however purposeless to the observer intent upon the obvious and external only; while the genera are so numerous that doubtless to each species is consigned148 the performance of a special office. Some seem to delight in a diet of slush of the consistency149 of thin gruel150; others prefer fine grit; others, again, coarse particles of shell and coral grit and rough gravel. Peradventure the actual food consists of the micro-organisms in the slush and on the superficies of the unassimilatable solids.
When submitted to the sun on the dry beach death is speedy, and decomposition151 in the case of some species complete to obliteration152 in a few hours. An apparently153 solid body, weighty in comparison with its size and apparently of such nature that rapid desiccation would convert it into a tough, leathery substance, it melts at the sight of the sun, leaving as a relic154 of existence its last meal — a handful of grit-covered with a transparent film of varnish155, which the first wavelet of the flowing tide dissolves. Yet on the reef in a pool such an individual endures complacently156 water heated to a temperature of 108°. Though feeble and of such readily dissolvable texture, bêche-de-mer may be regarded as among the mightiest157 agents in the conversion158 of the waste of the coral reef into mud — the sort of mud of which some of the toughest of rocks are compounded. Graded by this and that species, the debris159 is reduced to fine particles, which upon sedimentation160 help to raise the level of the reef and thus prepare foundations for dry land.
For richness of colour and diversity of design some of the lovely corals and sponges, which seem to counterfeit161 the inventions and contrivances of man, and the algae, and those anomalous162 “growths” which fixedly163 adhere to the under surface of stones and blocks of coral debris, are not to be surpassed. These dull stones, partly buried in sand, reveal in blotches164, daubs, and smears166 the crude extravagances of a painter’s palette. Can it be that such brilliant colours and tints167, so profuse140 and delicate, are necessary features of animals of such crude organisms that they appear to be merely disembodied splashes and driblets from the brush of the Great Artist? Look at this fantastic patchwork168, brightening the obscurity of an upturned stone with glowing orange. In perfectly169 regular minute dots a pattern of quartered squares, raised slightly in the centre, is being worked out. Many of the squares are finished, but the fabric is rugged at the edges, where, with miraculous170 precision, the design is being followed, each tiny stitch the counterpart of its fellow. Unless this gross and formless blotch165 of sage115 green interferes171 or this disc of royal blue expands, the whole under surface of the stone may be covered with an orange coloured quilt as dainty as if wrought172 by fairy fingers.
Why, again, is this particular miniature dome173 of coral so precisely174 spirally fluted175, like the dome of a Byzantine cathedral? Why of so pure a mauve and bespangled with so many millions of snow-white crystals? Why — where no eyes see them — should parti-coloured algae flaunt176 such graceful, flawless plumes177? What marvellous fertility of imagination in form and design is exhibited in every quiet coral garden! Stolid178 battlemented walls, massive shapeless blocks, rollicking mushrooms, tipsy toadstools; narrow fjords, sparklingly clear, wind among and intersect the stubborn masses. Fish, bright as butterflies and far more alert, flash in and out of mazes179 more bewildering than that in which Rosamond’s bower180 was secluded181. Starfish stud the sandy flats, a foot in diameter, red with burnished182 black bosses, and in all shades of red to pink and cream and thence to derogatory grey. Here is a jade-coloured conglomeration183 of life resembling nothing in the world more than a loose handful of worms without beginning and without end, interloped and writhing184 and glowing as it writhes185 with opalescent186 fires; and here a tiny leafless shrub187, jointed188 with each alternate joint189, ivory, white, and ruby-red respectively; again this tracery of gold and green and salmon190 pink decorating a shiny stone, in formal and consistent pattern. What is it? why is it? and why are such luminous191 tints so sordidly192 concealed193?
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1
tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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2
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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ooze
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| n.软泥，渗出物；vi.渗出，泄漏；vt.慢慢渗出，流露 | |
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seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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6
shimmers
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| n.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的名词复数 )v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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7
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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8
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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9
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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10
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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11
desolating
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| 毁坏( desolate的现在分词 )； 极大地破坏； 使沮丧； 使痛苦 | |
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12
primal
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| adj.原始的；最重要的 | |
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primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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14
primitives
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| 原始人（primitive的复数形式） | |
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15
tepid
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| adj.微温的，温热的，不太热心的 | |
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primordial
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| adj.原始的；最初的 | |
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actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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19
excavates
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| v.挖掘( excavate的第三人称单数 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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crater
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| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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filaments
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| n.（电灯泡的）灯丝( filament的名词复数 )；丝极；细丝；丝状物 | |
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shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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retracts
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| v.撤回或撤消( retract的第三人称单数 )；拒绝执行或遵守；缩回；拉回 | |
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retract
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| vt.缩回，撤回收回，取消 | |
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32
solidifies
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| （使）成为固体，（使）变硬，（使）变得坚固( solidify的第三人称单数 )； 使团结一致； 充实，巩固； 具体化 | |
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mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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projections
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| 预测( projection的名词复数 )； 投影； 投掷； 突起物 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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caterpillar
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| n.毛虫，蝴蝶的幼虫 | |
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cocoon
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| n.茧 | |
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exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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42
collapses
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| 折叠( collapse的第三人称单数 )； 倒塌； 崩溃； （尤指工作劳累后）坐下 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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isolation
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| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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constituents
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| n.选民( constituent的名词复数 )；成分；构成部分；要素 | |
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armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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sprawls
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| n.（城市）杂乱无序拓展的地区( sprawl的名词复数 )；随意扩展；蔓延物v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的第三人称单数 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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snail
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| n.蜗牛 | |
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adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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denizen
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| n.居民，外籍居民 | |
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clement
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| adj.仁慈的；温和的 | |
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57
tentacles
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| n.触手( tentacle的名词复数 )；触角；触须；触毛 | |
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58
dual
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| adj.双的；二重的，二元的 | |
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59
intrusive
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| adj.打搅的；侵扰的 | |
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60
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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61
mosaics
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| n.马赛克( mosaic的名词复数 )；镶嵌；镶嵌工艺；镶嵌图案 | |
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62
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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63
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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64
cornucopia
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| n.象征丰收的羊角 | |
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65
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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66
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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67
perceptive
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| adj.知觉的，有洞察力的，感知的 | |
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68
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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69
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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70
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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71
structural
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| adj.构造的，组织的，建筑（用）的 | |
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72
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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73
fabled
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| adj.寓言中的，虚构的 | |
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74
paradox
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| n.似乎矛盾却正确的说法；自相矛盾的人(物) | |
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75
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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76
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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77
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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78
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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79
anterior
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| adj.较早的；在前的 | |
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80
membrane
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| n.薄膜，膜皮，羊皮纸 | |
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81
retracting
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| v.撤回或撤消( retract的现在分词 )；拒绝执行或遵守；缩回；拉回 | |
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82
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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83
retraction
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| n.撤消；收回 | |
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84
spurt
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| v.喷出；突然进发；突然兴隆 | |
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85
bristles
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| 短而硬的毛发，刷子毛( bristle的名词复数 ) | |
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86
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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87
protrude
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| v.使突出，伸出，突出 | |
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88
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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89
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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90
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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91
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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92
cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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93
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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94
frictionless
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| adj.没有摩擦力的 | |
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95
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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96
tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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97
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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98
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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99
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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100
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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101
secretion
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| n.分泌 | |
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102
analogous
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| adj.相似的；类似的 | |
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103
culmination
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| n.顶点；最高潮 | |
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104
convoluted
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| adj.旋绕的；复杂的 | |
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105
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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106
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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107
elongates
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| v.延长，加长( elongate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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108
degenerating
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的现在分词 ) | |
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109
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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110
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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111
crustacean
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| n.甲壳动物；adj.甲壳纲的 | |
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112
shrimp
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| n.虾，小虾；矮小的人 | |
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113
subconsciously
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| ad.下意识地，潜意识地 | |
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114
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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115
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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116
algae
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| n.水藻，海藻 | |
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117
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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118
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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119
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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121
vibrations
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| n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动 | |
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122
agitations
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| （液体等的）摇动( agitation的名词复数 )； 鼓动； 激烈争论； （情绪等的）纷乱 | |
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123
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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124
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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125
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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126
frayed
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| adj.磨损的v.（使布、绳等）磨损，磨破( fray的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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127
sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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128
ripples
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| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
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129
bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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130
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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131
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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132
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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133
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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134
comeliness
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| n. 清秀, 美丽, 合宜 | |
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135
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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136
puckered
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| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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137
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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138
converge
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| vi.会合；聚集，集中；(思想、观点等)趋近 | |
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139
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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140
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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141
profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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142
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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143
smear
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| v.涂抹；诽谤，玷污；n.污点；诽谤，污蔑 | |
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144
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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145
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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146
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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147
commonwealth
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| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
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148
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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149
consistency
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| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
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150
gruel
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| n.稀饭，粥 | |
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151
decomposition
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| n. 分解, 腐烂, 崩溃 | |
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152
obliteration
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| n.涂去，删除；管腔闭合 | |
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153
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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154
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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155
varnish
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| n.清漆；v.上清漆；粉饰 | |
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156
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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157
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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158
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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159
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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160
sedimentation
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| n.沉淀，沉积 | |
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161
counterfeit
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| vt.伪造，仿造；adj.伪造的，假冒的 | |
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162
anomalous
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| adj.反常的；不规则的 | |
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163
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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164
blotches
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| n.（皮肤上的）红斑，疹块( blotch的名词复数 )；大滴 [大片]（墨水或颜色的）污渍 | |
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165
blotch
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| n.大斑点；红斑点；v.使沾上污渍，弄脏 | |
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166
smears
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| 污迹( smear的名词复数 )； 污斑； （显微镜的）涂片； 诽谤 | |
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167
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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168
patchwork
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| n.混杂物；拼缝物 | |
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169
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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170
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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171
interferes
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| vi. 妨碍，冲突，干涉 | |
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172
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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173
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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174
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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175
fluted
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| a.有凹槽的 | |
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176
flaunt
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| vt.夸耀，夸饰 | |
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177
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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178
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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179
mazes
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| 迷宫( maze的名词复数 )； 纷繁复杂的规则； 复杂难懂的细节； 迷宫图 | |
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180
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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181
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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182
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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183
conglomeration
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| n.团块，聚集，混合物 | |
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184
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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185
writhes
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的第三人称单数 ) | |
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186
opalescent
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| adj.乳色的，乳白的 | |
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187
shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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188
jointed
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| 有接缝的 | |
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189
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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190
salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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191
luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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192
sordidly
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| adv.肮脏地；污秽地；不洁地 | |
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193
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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