he piles soft leaves and seaweed on the ground, then lays Medusa facedown on this pillow. 805 The living seaweed’s spongy pith absorbed the monster’s force and hardened at her touch. Its stems and leaves could feel a strange new stiffness. Sea nymphs attempt this wondrous feat on more seaweed, rejoicing when the same thing happens, 810 and often cast the seeds across the waves. Corals retain this nature still and harden when touched by air. What is a pliant plant beneath the waves becomes a stone above
