The Magic of Mermaid's Purses
On my recent walk along the seashore, along the long line of detritus washed up by the stormy waves of winter, I could not help but notice the sheer number of Mermaid's Purses that have washed up. They were everywhere I looked, at least one per each square metre on average. Some were spread out while others were huddled together in clusters. I love the name Mermaid's Purse for it conjures up images and stories of the maids of the sea, who are clearly lacking pockets in their scaled, fish-like bottom half. Mermaids love their beauty; they are well known for combing their long hair for hours on end as they gaze at themselves in silvery, moonlike mirrors. When not in use clearly the maids of the sea need somewhere safe to put their mirrors, combs, salves and other bits and bobs hence the nickname of Mermaid's Purse. The scientific name for these is Chondrichthyes which just isn't as enigmatic. Mermaid's Purses may well be used by Mermaids to carry their val...