1

y,' xl

THE BRITISH

SEA-ANEMONES

AND

CORALS.

LONDON

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.

I'iATE V

3

IN COLOURS B, n.DICRCS

® 1 M 1

1 * i ’JSfkT

1 BOLOCERA TUEDI/E, 3 AlPTASIA COUCHM

2 ANTHEA CEREUS 4 SACARTIA COCCINEA

5 . S. TROGLODYTE S.

4

5

ACTINOLOGIA

BRITANNICA.

HISTORY

or

THE BRITISH

SEA-ANEMONES

AND

CORALS.

WITH COLOURED FIGURES OF THE SPECIES
AND PRINCIPAL VARIETIES.

BT

PHILIP HENRY GOSSE, E.R.S.

k » k

LONDON:

VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1860.

f

PREFACE.

Ix writing the following pages, I have lahonred to produce
such a “ History of the British Sea-Anemones and Corals,” as a
student can work with. Having often painfully felt in studying
works similar to the present, the evil of the vagueness and con-
fusion that too frequently mark the descriptive portions, I have
endeavoured to draw up the characters of the animals which I
describe, with distinctive precision, and with order. It is said of
Montagu that, in describing animals, he constantly wrote as if he
had expected that the next day would bring to light some new
species closely resembling the one before him ; and therefore his
diagnosis can rarely be amended. Some writers mistake for
precision an excessive minuteness, which only distracts the
student, and is after all but the portrait of an individual. Others
describe so loosely that half of the characters would serve as well
for half-a-dozen other species. I have sought to avoid both
errors : to make the diagnoses as brief as possible, and yet clear,
by seizing on such characters, in each case, as are truly distinc-
tive and discriminative. Further to aid the student, I have
given the characters in a regular and definite order, so that he
may at a glance compare species with species, or genus wdth
genus, in their several parts and organs.

In this I have received little aid — I may say almost literally
none — from my predecessors. The “ History of British Zoophytes ”

VI

PREFACE.

by Dr. Johnston has hitherto been the Enghsh naturalist’s only
guide to the study of these creatures ; and notwithstanding the
value of this work in . many points, the almost utter worthless-
ness of their specific characters has been often confessed. That
' excellent zoologist lived on a coast where the Anemones are feebly
represented ; and hence his jjersonal acquaintance with species was
very small, or the result woidd doubtless have been different.

The elaborate “ Histoire Naturelle des Coralliaires ” of M.
Mdne-Edwards is liable to the same objection. A work of
immense research, labour, and patience, it bears evidence in every
page of being the produce of tire museum and the closet, not of
the aquarium and the shore. With those species which possess
no stony skeleton, the learned author evidently had no acquaint-
ance,— or next to none ; — and hence he has merely reproduced
the words of his authorities in all their vagueness ; while the
distribution of the species into genera and families appears so
full of manifest error to one personally familiar with the animals
in a living state, that I have not attempted to folloAv his
arrangement.

I have been compelled, therefore, to draw up the characters of
my subjects de novo ; and in doing so I have resorted to nature
itself ; I have studied the living animals. For the last eight
years I have searched the most prolific parts of the British shores,
— the coast of Dorset, South and ISTorth Devon, and South
Wales ; and have moreover, as the following pages show, had
poured into my aquaria the productions of almost every other
part of our coasts, — from the Channel Isles to the Shetlands.
For these last I am indebted to the kindness of many zealous
scientific friends, whose names appear in this volume, and to
whom I here express my grateful obligation ; especially distin-
guishing ]\Ir. F. H. West of Leeds, and the Rev. W. Gregor
of Macduff, as pre-eminent in their contributions .

The result is that seventy-five species find their places in
these pages, five of which are merely indicated, leaving seventy
good species, exclusive of the Lucernariadce. Of these twenty-

I’REFACK.

vn

four only are described in Johnston, — the rest of his species being
either sjmonyms or resting on insufficient evidence. Fifty -four
British species have been examined by myself, perhaps a larger
mimber than have come under the notice of any other naturalist ;
by far the greater part in life and health ; and thirty-foxir of
these have been added to the British Fauna bj' myself.

A new feature in works of this sort, which will strike the
student, perhaps needs a word of explanation ; — I mean the dis-
tingui.shing of the prominent varieties of each species by a
diagnosis, and the assigning of a trivial name to each. Consider-
ing the variability of many of the forms, I trust the convenience
of this procedure will excuse the innovation.

The analytical tables of the families, genera, and species,
hitherto scarcely known in English zoological works, will, I
think, be found useful ; nor will the attempt to tabulate the
geographical distribution of the species be devoid of interest to
the philosophic student.

The plates must speak for themselves : they have been printed
in colours by Mr. W. Dickes, who has spared no effort to make
them, as nearly as possible, fac-similes of my original drawings,
which were made from the life.

Nearly two years have been occupied in the progressive publi-
cation of the work, as it has been issued in bi-monthly parts.
Advantages and disadvantages attend this mode of publication.
Among the former may be reckoned that the information is
brought down to the latest period, and that the successive parts
stimulate the zeal and co-operation of fellow-labourers ; the book
thus embodjdng the knowledge of many, rather than of one.
Among disadvantages must be put doxvn, incongruities between
the earlier and the later portions, statements made and opinions
hazarded which are subsequently corrected, and omissions which
are finally supplied. For these defects the author must cast
himself on the kind consideration of his readers, who must be
aware that no branch of science is at one stay even for a single
month.

VI 11

PREFACE.

My labour has been performed con amore ; I have looked
forward to it for many years past; and it is vith no small grati-
fication that I see it completed. I send forth the result as one
more tribute humbly offered to the glory of the Triune God, “ who
'is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.”

P. H. Gossb.

Torquay, December, ]859.

LIST OF PLATES.

I. — 1. Actinoloba diauthus. 2. Sagartia bellis. 3. S troglodytes.

4, 5, 6. S. rosea. 7. S. venusta. 8, 9. S. sphyro-

deta To face page

II — 1, 8. Sagartia nivea. 2, 3, 4. S. miuiata. 5. S. troglodytes.

6. S. parasitica. 9, 10. S. ornata 42

III. — 1, 2. Sagartia troglodytes. 3. S. viduata. 4, 5. S. pallida.

6. S. pura. 7, 8 Adamsia palliata 106

IV. — 1. Tealia crassicornis. 2, 3. Bunodes gemmacea. 4. B. Ballii.

5, 6. B. thallia 190

V, — 1. Boloeera Tuedise. 2. Anthea cereus. 3. Aiptasia Couchii.

4. Sagartia coccinea. 5. S. troglodytes Front.

VI. — 1 to 6. Actinia meserabryanthemum. 7. A. cbiococca. 8. Sa-
gartia chrysosplenium. 9. Anthea cereus. 10. Tealia
digitata. 11. S. viduata 206

VII. — 1. Phellia gausapata. 2. P. murocincta. 3. Gregoria fenes-

trata. 4. Bunodes coronata. 5, 6. Edwardsia carnea.

7. E. callimorpha. 8. Ceriantlius Lloydii. 9, 10. Hal-

campa chrj'santhellum. 11. H. microps 228

VIII. — Hormathia Margaritse. 2. Phellia Brodricii. 3. Peachia

hastata. 4. P. undata. 5. Stomphia Churchise. 6. Ily-
anthus Mitchellii 234

IX.— 1 to 5. Corynactis viridis. 6. Boloeera eques. 7. Zoanthus
sulcatus. 8. Z. Alderi. 9, 10. Z. Couchii. 11. Aure-
liania augusta. 12. A. heterocera. 13. Capnea san-
guinea 282

X

LIST OF Pl.ATES.

X. — 1. Lophohelia prolifera. 2. Peacliia triphylla. 3. Sphenotro-
chua Wrightii. 4. S. Macandrewanus. 5. Zoanthus
Couchii. 6. Paracyathua Taxilianus. 7. P. pteropus.

8. P. Thulensia. 9. Hoplangia Durotrix. 10,11. Bala-
nophyllia regia. 12, 13. Caryophyllia Smithii. To /ace p. 308

XI. — Anatomical details. 1. Ideal demi-section of a Sagartia.

a. septum ; b. septal foramen ; c. stomacli ; d. liver ;
e. ovarian mesentery ; /. ovary ; ff. craspedal mesentery ;

A. craspedum ; i. acontia. 2. Fragment of craspedum
{S. bellis) with its mesentery {magnified). 3. The same
craspedum under pressure {more highly magnified).

4. Fragment of acontium {S. bellis). 5. Portion of
column containing cinclides {A. dianthus). k. fully open ;

1. slightly open ; m. closed. 6. Chambered cnida {Ca-
ryophyllia) before discharge. 7. Chambered cnida {Tealia)
discharged, n. ecthoreeum ; o. strebla ; p. pterygia.

8. Chambered cnida discharging, showing the ecthorseum
in process of evolving. (N.B. — The strebla and pterygia
are here omitted, for the sake of greater clearness.)

9. Tangled cnida {Corynactis). 10. Spiral cnida {Tealia)
discharging. 11, 12. Globate cnidse {S. parasitica).

q. peribola 348

XII. — Magnified Figures. 1. Phellia picta. 2. Zoanthus sulcatus.

3. Edwardsia camea. 4. Caryophyllia (tentacle). 5. Zo-
anthus Alderi. 6. Halcampa microps. 7. Gregoria
fenestrata. 8. Phellia murocincta 358

INTRODUCTION.

Though the following “ History of the British Sea-
anemones and Corals ” is intended for general readers, it
seems desirable that it should be accompanied by a brief
Thumi of what is known concerning the anatomy and
physiology of this order of animals. I have commenced the
text of the work with a general description of the con-
stituent parts of their bodies, in order to establish a
determinate orismology for the class, and shall here assume
that the reader is sufficiently familiar with the various
organs, and the terms by which they are indicated.

The Sea-anemones present a low grade of animal
existence, and are commonly represented as exceedingly
simple in structure. The term “ Animal-flowers,” by
which they were known to the early observers, and which
has been perpetuated in the Greek equivalent “ Anthozoa,”
applied to the class by some modern natm-alists, has been
thought to express the fact, that a vegetable type of
organization is scarcely less proper to them than an animal
one. It is, however, to the accidental resemblance which
these beautiful forms often bear to a highly-colom-ed and
many-petaled flower, that the name owes its appropriate-
ness, rather than to any close assimilation to the vegetable
structure. The Sea-anemone is an indubitable animal, and
its organization is more complex than is usually supposed.
This will be seen as we proceed with the successive ex-
amination of the organs.*

* In all cases in which I do not adduce any other authority, the following
statements may be considered as given on the authority of my own dissec-
tions and observations.

Xll

INTRODUCTION.

1. Tegument ary System. The skin is sufficiently distinct.
After a few hours’ maceration in fresh water {Sag. hellis),
the epithelial and pigmental cells are easily removed wnth
a hair-pencil, leaving the outer layer of muscular fibre bare.
If the specimen be immersed in spirit for a day or two

' {A. diantims), the integument may be separated in fiakes,
which, under the microscope, are seen to be composed of a
multitude of short corrugated fibrill£e, set in no definite
direction, interspersed with clear granules, pigment grains,
and cnidte.

An examination of the living animal {diantims, hellis,
crassicornis, Hale, chrysanthelliim, Cor. viridis, &c.) shows
that the skin is composed of three elements, though these
cannot always be separated. A layer of epithelial ciliated
cells forms the first tunic : these are constantly in process
of being thrown off fr*om the true skin, in the form of
mucus ; but in some cases {Pkellia, Edwardsia) they
entangle foreign matters, and retain their cohesion as an
investment more or less dense, and more or less firmly
adherent to the skin. Below this is the true skin, of a
more granular character, and carrying, imbedded in its
thickness, a multitude of cnidae, whose discharging points
are directed outwards. Intimately connected with this
layer, but still lying sufficiently beneath it to be regarded
as a distinct stratum, are tlie pigment-cells, which impart
the colours to the animal.

The tentacles of Aiptasia and Anthea (less conspicuously
also of S. hellis) are lined with a dense layer of cells, forming
to the naked eye a dark brown lining. Some peculiarities
of these cells I have detailed (at page 167, infra) : it is
probable that this layer may have some special function yet
unrecognised.

2. Mtiscidar System. In most species the muscular frame-
work of the body is beautifully distinct, and the tissue is
readily isolable. The column is a cylinder of muscular
tissue, consisting of two layers, the outer composed of
transverse, the inner of longitudinal, fibres. The trans-
verse fibres are the more strongly marked : they average
about ‘0001 inch in diameter, and are never striate.

The cylinder whicli forms the column, is closed in most
species by two extremities, which are flat, like the top and
bottom of a tin canister : the former is the disk, the latter
the base. Each of these is but a continuation of the same

INTRODUCTION.

Xlll

two layers of fibre that compose the columu-wall, — the
outer transverse fibres becoming concentrically circular;
the inner longitudinal ones converging to, or towards, a
centre. In general, the boundaries of these divisions are
distinctly marked by an abrupt angular change of the
direction of the inner fibres ; but in some species (Ilyan-
THIDJE, Turlinolia, &c.), the body tapers gradually to a
point below, wdthout any angular change of direction.

The fibres of the inner layer meet at a central point in the
base, except in those species which have a central foramen
there ; but in the disk they sustain another change of direc-
tion, bending abruptly down at right angles, so as to form
an inclosure in the axis of the column, parallel to the outer
wall — the fibres of the outer layer still coating them. This
downward prolongation forms the stomach, which will be
presently described.

In T. crassicoi'Tiis the angle which is formed by the in-
bending of the fibres to form the disk, is strengthened by a
muscular cord, about half a line in thickness, consisting of
annular fibres, and evidently acting as a sphincter : it is this
band that forms the parapet.

In Sagartia {bellis, miniata, nivea, &c.) the muscular
tunic, in contraction, corrugates into a reticulate or honey-
comb-like pattern, inclosing shallow cells of much regu-
larity. It is, I think, these inclosed areas, any one of
which may be considered as a cell, with perpendicular
walls of muscular tissue, that constitute the sucking w'arts,
by means of which minute fragments of shell or gravel
are grasped, and retained with considerable force. If this
exposition is correct, all of the corrugated cells are capable
of becoming suckers at the will of the animal ; but, in fact,
only a few are so used at a time. The cells {nivea, miniata)
are about '014 inch in depth and longitudinal diameter,
while their transverse diameter may average about *084
inch. It is the outer layer of muscles that constitutes
these corrugations.

The sucking warts in the Bunodidce, are of similar
character ; but here the elevation of the muscular tunic is
more permanent, and the walls of the individual cells are
thicker, and are incurved towards each other.

To the muscular system belong the Septa. These are
thin plates of muscular tissue, comprising the two layers of
transverse and longitudinal fibres, doubled on each other.

XIV

INTRODUCTION.

and stretching vertically through the cavity inclosed by
the column. Each principal septum (Plate XI. fig. 1, a),
in any of the normal species, is inserted, by its outer edge,
into the column-wall throughout its entire height ; by its
lower edge, into the base, from the wall to the centre ; by
its upper edge, into the disk, from the margin to the mouth ;
and, by its inner edge, into the stomach, from the lip, almost
to the free bottom of that viscus. From thence the inner edge
recedes with an arching outline, and is free, until it is
gradually merged in the lower edge at the centre of the
base. Between these primary septa, others are developed
in succession, partitioning off the imperfect chambers thus
formed. But the septa of each successive cycle, while still
inserted in the column-wall throughout, spring from the
stomach at higher and higher points, and terminate at
points more and more remote from the centre of the base.
The number of septa depends, to a certain limit, on the age
of the individual, but in Peachia it never exceeds twelve,
and in Halcampa microps, eight.

In Peachia, the tissue of the septa is very dense, and
still more so in T. crassicornis, where it assumes a firmness
almost cartilaginous, and a decided blue colour.

The muscular tissue of the disk protrudes in the form
of hollow cones, which are the tentacles : each of these
springs from an interseptal chamber, and hence their deve-
lopment is in cycles corresponding to that of the septa.
The fibres which compose their walls are very delicate.

3. Nervous and Sensory System. I have been as unsuc-
cessful as my predecessors, in my search for nervous threads
or ganglia ; still, I have little doubt that such exist. I
should expect their presence in the form of a ring, sur-
rounding the mouth, perhaps with a pair of ganglia at the
gonidial tubercles, distributing threads to the tentacles.
I have never observed any trace of auditory vesicles or
otolithes, nor any organs tliat I could regard as eyes ; not
even in the rudimentary form of those aggi’egations of pig-
ment-cells, that occur on the margin of the Xaked-eyed
Medusae. A delicate sense of touch certainly exists, dis-
tributed over the entire smlace, but specially localized in
the lips and the tentacles. The occasional elongation of
one or more of these latter organs, and their employment
(as described at pp. 34 — 36, infra) , indicate the existence
of an active tactile faculty, and not merely of passive

INTRODUCTION.

XV

irritability. The tips of the tentacles are bristled with the
minute points, called by Dr. T. S. Wright palpocils,*
which he considers as delicate tactile organs. These are
specially conspicuous on the globose heads of the tentacles
of Corynactis and Caryophyllia. I am not sure Avhether
I ought to regard, as an organ of taste, the surface of the
lower part of the stomach, which in T. crassicornis I find
covered with innumerable papillas, not quite uniform in size
or shape, some being more pointed, others more round, and
averaging about 0003 inch in diameter.

4. Digestive System. This is very simple, consisting
essentially of a short tube descending from the centre of
the disk, with an open extremity hanging loose in the
body-cavity (Plate XI. fig. 1, c). I have already observed
that the inner edges of the septa are inserted into its outer
wall, and these maintain it in place, while by their trans-
verse contraction they can draw asunder its surfaces, and
by their longitudinal contraction they can either lengthen
or shorten it. The stomach-wall itself, however, is muscular ;
possessing at least the layer of transverse fibres, though I
have not quite satisfied myself of the presence of the longi-
tudinal layer.

The form of the stomach is not that of a cylinder, but of
a flattened sac, or of a pillow-case unsewed at both ends.
This form may be well seen in pellucid specimens of A.
dianthus, and in the smaller iLYANTHiDiE, and it may be
examined by dissection in others. The excessive contrac-
tion of the parts, and the copious excretion of mucus, do,
however, present great obstacles to satisfactory demonstra-
tions under the scalpel. I have therefore resorted to
accessory means. A specimen of 71 crassicornis fully
expanded I treated with laudanum, drop by drop. It
immediately expelled the water contained in the tentacles,
causing these organs to shrink and shrivel, but not re-
tracting them. The mouth, which had been pursed together,
began slowly to open, and dilated greatly, almost to the
concealment of the tentacles, the summit of the now
flattened animal being almost wholly occupied by the
gaping orifice. An excellent opportunity was thus afforded
for examining the structure of the stomach, which was
revealed without the excretion of mucus. The languor,
too, induced by the narcotic, allowed the parts to be freely

See Edin. New Phil. Jouru., April, 1857.

XV'l

INTRODUCTION.

touched with iustrunients without much effort at con-
traction.

The gular tube is remarkably corrugated longitudinally,
the folds being so full, that a transverse section would
present a series of figures 8. In the present state of con-
, traction there were horizontal corrugations also. At a
short distance below the mouth the stomach ends abruptly,
the edge, thin and delicate, hanging freely like a much
folded curtain into the cavity. At each angle of this
flattened sac the gonidial groove was conspicuous from top
to bottom, inclosed by two slender columns of the firm
cartilage-like muscle.

The diameter of the digestive tube is, when at rest, not
greater than that of the mouth ; indeed, the walls are in
contact; nor, so far as my observation extends, are they
ever separated except for the reception of food.

It has been customary to represent the stomach as a sac
pierced at the bottom “ by one or more valvular openings
which communicate with the cavity of the body.”* But
the case is as I have stated it : the free folded membrane
hangs perpendicularly ; nor is there any thickening of the
edge, nor any structure which at all resembles a sphincter.
In tall specimens, I have observed, through the semi-
transparent integuments, food pass into the stomach, and
have marked that the morsel is invariably retained, never
passing through to the general cavity ; but I am persuaded
that this is effected by the common contractility of the
walls, and not by a sphincter.

'When morsels of food, such as fragments of butchers’
meat, are swallowed by Anemones, they are retained for
some hours, and then vomited ; and because little change
has passed upon the solid parts it has been rashly concluded
that no process of digestion takes place in these animals.
On this foolish hypothesis it is difficult to see why food
should be swallowed at all, or what need the animal has of
mouth or stomach. Their ordinary food, however, is not
mammalian muscle, but the far softer and more fluid flesh
ot Crustacea^ Mollusca, and Annelida. Nothing is more
common than to find large specimens of A. mesemhryan-
themum or T. crassicornis discharge, soon after their capture,

• Siebold’s Comp. Anat. § 37. “ The stomach with its circular aperture
at the ease ” (Teale). Johnston, indeed, denies it any aperture at all : —
" There is no — other visible exit from the stomach than the mouth.”

INTRODUCTION.

XVll

the shell of a crab, or a limpet, from which the entire flesh
has been removed and replaced by a tenacious glaire. No
doubt the fii-st part of the process consists largely of ma-
ceration, and continued pressime, by means of which the
juices of the food are extracted.

The nutritive matters thus obtained are then subjected
to the action of the bile. No anatomist, I believe, has as
yet attributed a liver to these animals, but I have little
doubt that such is the character of a structure which I am
about to describe. In dianthus, crassicornis, Peachia undata,
and others, the stomach-wall is lined on the interior side of
its upper portion (the side, I mean, which is within the
interseptal chambers) with a thick highly-coloured sub-
stance. In the first two named this is yellow or orange, in
the last salmon-red. This lining is {dianthus) about half a
line in thickness, of a pulpy tissue, an-anged in irregular
lobules, covered with a ciliated epithelium (Plate XI, fig.
1, d). On being crushed down, the pulp is found to be
composed of a nearly uniform mass of yellow fat-cells, the
largest of which are about *0003 inch in diameter, and the
smallest immeasurable points. Cnidie occur numerously in
the true stomach-wall, but none in this lining-coat. I am
justified, then, in presuming this organ, from its colour,
form, position, and structure, to be a liver*

In Aiptasia I find what I think an analogous structure,
but with a slightly varied position. The septa, instead of
being inserted into the stomach-wall from the point where
they spring off to the summit, recede from it at their u])per
part, where their edges carry rounded pulpy lobes, which
under pressure consist of a clear tenacious sarcode, carrying
a moderate number of brown pigment-cells. The sarcode
is composed of globose cells, averaging *0005 inch in
diameter, each containing more or fewer oil-globules,

• As an example of the need of caution in such observations as these,
I may be pardoned for mentioning the following circumstance : — While
viewing the surface of the pulpy tissue above described under a good
reflected light with a power of 133 diameters, I saw it forming irregular
lobes, with deep narrijw sinuous depressions. Over the surface, and
chiefly following the lines of the sinuosities, I noticed meandering white
lines, like veiy slender branching threads. The thought that I had dis-
covered veritable nerves immediately occurred to me ; but turning the
mirror of the microscope to test the observation with a diflerent .angle of
the light, I found I had been looking at merely the lUjht rcllected from the
ed^e of the smooth lobules /

XVI u

INTRODITCTTON.

averaging *0005 incli, but some attaining *0003. These
are very numerous in the mass.

5. Circulatory and Bespiratory systems. These exist in so
simple a condition that we can scarcely separate them in
our investigations. Ur. Williams has distinguished by the
term Ghylagueous fluids “ that fluid which occupies the
gastric and perigastric cavities of all animals below the
Annelida.”* It is far less vitalized than true blood, but
still it is not mere water, being impregnated with organized
corpuscles and slightly albuminized. In the animals of
the class before us there is no blood, and no vascular system,
but the cavity of the body is ample, and is copiously
occupied by a transparent fluid, which has by some been
mistaken for sea-water. I have, however, proved by ex-
periments, recorded elsewhere,t on numerous species, that
this fluid is copiously provided with organic corpuscles,
circular or ovate disks, granulose in character, of a clear
yellow colour, varying from *0001 to "0008 inch in diameter,
the larger ones inclosing oil-globules. The fluid coagulates
on the addition of nitric acid, showing that it holds albu-
men in solution.

It would appear that the action of the stomach is confined
to the solution and extraction of albumen and oil, which
are carried with sea-water into the general cavity, the com-
pound being a chylaqueous fluid ; and that it is in the
upper part of the interseptal chambers that it is acted upon
by the biliary seeretion.

For the free circulation of this fluid to every part of the
interior, the whole body is lined with a delicate, strongly
ciliated epithelium. The ciliary current is upward : when
a pellucid diantlius has its fosse much exposed, it is quite
easy to see the current driving up from every part of the
interior along the whole inner wall, and passing into the
tentacles, up which the atoms are then hurled. I believe
there is no change in the set of this cun-ent : for though
atoms are seen, especially at the bottom of the tentacles,
occasionally to pass annularly or diagonally ; and though
of course there must be a return of the fluid driven up-
ward— for there does not appear, with the closest watching,
a trace of exit at the tip of the tentacles; and though,
indeed, atoms are seen, though rarely, to pass downward, —
I think these irregular and retrograde movements are

* Phil. Trans. 1852. t Annals of Nat. Hist.; March, 1858.

INTKODUCTION,

XIX

merely tlie mechanical result of the impact of the ciliary
current on the closed tip. If so, the current runs upward
on the whole inner surface of the walls, and then returns
down the centre. And this, I am persuaded, is the case.

That the tentacles are perforated at the tip is, however,
certain ; but it is closed or opened at the will of the animal,
the outer annular layer of fibres acting as a sphincter.
Nothing is more common than to see a fully expanded indi-
vidual of T. crassiconits, when suddenly alarmed, eject
slender streams of water from the tips of its tentacles ; and
I have seen an instance in which, the animal being but just
covered with water, the jets were projected to a height of
three inches above the surface. In S. bellis, after macera-
tion, the slightest pressure on these organs causes the
pigment to ooze out at the tip. In many that I so treated,
not one allowed it to escape at the side ; nor in any case
was there the least appearance of resistance, suddenly
yielding as if by a rupture ; nor did the aperture in any
case enlarge, nor was it in any case otherwise than at the
precise extremity. From which circumstances I infer a
natural foramen there ; and think that it exists in all
species, except those (as Corynactis and Cavyophyllia)
which have a globose appendage at the extremity of the
tentacle.

The circulation of the nutrient fluid is aided by a curious
apparatus of foramina, of which I have met with no
description. It is difficult to find them in dissection, for
they appear to close with contraction ; but in bellis, on
making a transverse section just below the disk, I have
found a small round aperture in each primary and secon-
dary septum, through which I could thrust a probe without
laceration. It is during life, however, that, under certain
favourable circumstances (for they cannot at all times be
detected), they must be studied. In diayitkus, when very
much distended, I have seen the principal septa perforated
with a large circular foramen in the midst of their broadest
part, resembling iron girders supporting a floor, excavated
for lightness (Plate XI. fig. 1, b). In Anthea cereus they
are conspicuous;* but I have been unable to detect them
in T. crassicornis or in Corynactis.

* The most satisfactory observations I have made on these perforations
were on a specimen of Anthea cereus, var. sulphurea. Being very much
expanded, and distended to translucency, the base adherent to the side of
a glass tank, the column greatly exceeding the base, the window opposite,

b 2

XX

INTRODUCTION.

That the function of Respiration should he widely dif-
fused and very simple in these animals will follow from
what has been said. The chylaqueous fluid, consisting
largely of sea-water admitted freely from without, is itself
a reservoir of oxygen, and thus its organized elements are
perpetually aerated. We have already seen how the ciliary
currents Avithin maintain a constant succession of the
bathing fluid upon every part ; and there can be no doubt
that some mode of exit is provided for the effete AAmter.
What this is, however, I knoAv not. In Ceriantlms, which
has a posterior foramen to the body-caAuty, I haA^e seen the
water forcibly ejected from this aperture (see mfra, p. 272) ;
I have also marked a sudden jet cVeau from the disk (pro-
bably from the mouth, but of this I was not sure) of
T. crassicorms, which shot up some mucous shreds Avith
force to the surface, a height of some Aa'c inches. Perhaps
these expulsions, and those from the tentacle-tips already
alluded to, may be set doAAUi as so many expirations (per-
haps periodical) of deoxygenated water.

Ancillary to respiration, as renewing the Avatcr in the
vicinity of the animal, is the ciliation of the external sur-
face. This is strong and uniform on the tentacles, but
I have never been able satisfactorily to trace it on the
column. It is first Ausible at the margin, floAving in an even
current up the tentacle, on every side, from the foot to the

I saw with a lens, for an hour together, with the utmost distinctness, a
small cii’cular (oval in perspective) foramen in each septum. That is, I saw
them in a dozen or more successive septa, without interruptiou. The
diameter of the foi’amen was about the same as that of a tentacle near the
tip, in its ordinary state of extension. That the foramina were in films
whose surfaces were coincident with the line of vision, and not transverse
to it, I proved, by moving my eye to the right and left, by which the
foramen became more and more round, or more and more linear, the line
in the latter case being that of the axis of the column. Hence they must
have been in films ruuuing from the column-wall towards the axis perpen-
dicularly, as regards the position of the animal; — conditions which agree
with the septa, and with them only.

The next day, with a very favourable sight, I traced the foramina conse-
cutively for half the circumference of the animal. In this space there
were 49 septa (perhaps one more than the half, for I bisected only with my
eye) ; and I found that the foramina are pierced through those which are
entire (by far the greater number), but that the series is interrupted irre-
gularly by those imperfect septa, which span the cavity like an arch. The
latter were invariably two together, differing much in the height of
the arch, and graduated in this respect. The detail of the numbers of the
consecutive septa, in the half-animal, stands thus ; —

Perforate — 13 . 2 . 10 . 4 . 2 . 2 . 2 .

Imperforate — . 2.2 . 2. 2. 2. 2. 2

INTRODUCTION.

XXI

tip, wliere it passes off. BaJanophylUa presents an excep-
tion to this rule, -n’liich I liave found to hold good in all
other examined cases. In this instance, the tentacles, which
arc densely clothed with palpocils, seem to me destitute of
external cilia, while all the scarlet parts are furnished with
these latter. The ciliary currents flow doum the sides of
the column, and up the conical mouth from the whole
circumference of the disk.

6. Reproductwe, System. The Actinaria increase by
spontaneous fission, by gemmation, and by generation.
Fission takes place either by a longitudinal division of the
entire animal from above downwards, or by separation of
small fragments from the edge of the base, which soon
develop themselves into minute and apparently young indi-
viduals. The former mode appears to be not uncommon
with Antliea cereus (see infra, p. 169) ; and an imperfect
form of the same produces double-disked individuals of
Actinoloba and Actinia. The latter mode is common with
several of the Sayartiadce (see pp. 19, 66, 86, 110).

Gemmation, — the production of buds from the parent
individual — occurs largely in the order before us, but prin-
cipally in those which have a stony skeleton. According to
Mr. Dana, whose classification I have followed, the Astr^-
ACEA always bud from the disk, the Caryophylliacea
invariably from the side or base. But a specimen of
A.dianthus has come into my possession, — through the
kindness of L. Winterbotham, Esq. of Cheltenham, — which
has two young individuals projecting one from each side,
at about mid-height, — an indubitable example of lateral
gemmation. The animal has continued in the same condi-
tion for nearly a year, with no tendency to separate its
progeny.

Generation is of course the normal mode of increase of
the race. The sexes are sometimes united in one indi-
vidual {S. troglodytes, p. 100) ; sometimes separate {Stom-
pliia Churcliice, p. 225). The testes and the ovaries cannot
be distinguished from each other by a cursory examination;
each consists of a pulpy mass, usually of an orange or pale
salmon-colour, attached to the free edges of the septa. The
peritoneal membrane which invests each side of the septum
is produced beyond the muscular layers in the form of
a mesentery of two films in contact (Plate XI. fig. 1, e).
At some distance from the edge of the septum, the films

XXll

INTRODUCTION.

separate, and inclose the reproductive organ (/), uniting
again beyond it into a second mesentery (g), which is
bounded by the craspedum (h) presently to be described.
Both mesenteries are full and plaited, especially the cras-
pedal one.

The spermatic fluid is discharged in a turbid cloud
through the mouth, and is diffused through the surrounding
water (pp. 99, 100). The ova are also discharged through
the mouth, or through the gonidial grooves (pp. 97, 98, 99).
The development of the egg is into an infusorium-like
germ, differing in shape in different species, but always
covered with vibratile cilia, and freely locomotive. Exam-
ples of the occurrence of these will be found infra (jpassim),
and many highly interesting details have been recorded in
the magnifieent works of Sir J. G. Dalyell. The manner
in which the development of the Anemone proceeds has
been illustrated by Dr. Cobbold;* a depression in the
surface of the globose embryo becomes the general cavity ;
the edges then become incurved and descend into the cavity,
forming the stomach ; septa spring from the inner wall,
beginning from the summit and extending downwards, and
tentacles bud from around the mouth. Eggs, germs, or
fully formed young, are discharged indifferently through
the mouth : in the latter two cases the embryos have passed
their earlier developments within the general cavity.

7. Teliferous System. In common with some nearly
allied forms the Actinaria are furnished with a system of
armature of most extraordinary character. It is compara-
tively a recent discovery that their tissues contain exces-
sively minute bodies, in the form of oblong or oval transpa-
rent vesicles, which have the power of shooting out a long
thread of extensive tenuit3^ Wagner first drew the atten-
tion of physiologists to these organs, though he mistook
their functions for that of spermatozoa ; an error which was
participated by Dr. Wyman, in his observations recorded in
Dana’s magnificent work on Zoophytes. Their true cha-
racter has, however, been sufficiently established by many
observers, including Wagner, Erdl, Quatrefages, Kolliker,
Agassiz, and myself. These bodies I have called cnidce,
or thread-cells.

The cnidce, in the Actlnoid Zoophytes, are not confined
to one organ or set of organs. They are found in various
* Annals Nat. Hist, for Feb. 1853.

INTRODUCTION. xxiii

tissues, and in different regions of the body. They abound
in the walls of the tentacles, in the marginal spherules (of
Actinia proper), in the corrugated integument that sur-
rounds the mouth, in the walls of the stomach, and in the
epidermic mucus that is thrown off from these last-named
parts on the stimulus of irritation. But there are certain
special organs in which they are crowded to an extraor-
dinary degree, and which, so for as I know, have no other
function than that of being magazines of the cnida;. These
organs arc of two kinds, which I have designated respec-
tively as craspeda, and acontia.

The Craspeda. The peritoneal membrane of the septa,
having formed, by the contact of its two laminse, a kind of
mesentery, separates again to inclose the ovary ; again
unites into a second mesentery, the edge of which is greatly
puckered, and thickened in the form of a cylindrical cord,
closely resembling the bolt-rope of a ship’s sails, or still
more the cording in the hem of a flounced garment. This
marginal cord, bound throughout its length to the ovary, or
to the septum, by a mesentery, I call the Craspedum
(Plate XI. fig. 2).

So far as my examinations have gone, the craspeda are
found in all Actinaria, and for the most part in great
profusion. In T. crassicornis, for instance, they constitute
an inextricable tangle of white frilled cords, seen every-
where below and behind the stomach, and protruding
through every wound of the integuments. The thickness
of the cord does not, as has been stated, “ increase from
above downward.” Nor does it “terminate in the coats of
the stomach if we gradually cut away the stomach, piece-
meal, until the free edge has disappeared, we still find the
craspeda bordering the mesenteries of the sep)ta, until the
latter are lost at the point of their convergence in the centre
of the floor of the visceral cavity.

The craspedum, under pressure, displays the following
elements. (1.) A clear, colourless, highly refractile sar-
code, wdiich, under extreme pressure, has a tendency to
draw out into strings, and long-tailed drops, like a thick oil
on a wetted surface. (2.) Minute scattered granules, very
irregular in shape. (3.) ]\Iulberry-like aggregations of
granules, of a clear yellow hue, compactly built together,
and firm, which have the appearance of being inclosed in a
definite cell-wall. These are generally ovate, but are some-

XXIV

INTEODUCTION.

what irregular in form. (4.) Cnidse, in greater or less
ahundance, according to the species. As the craspedum
flattens under pressure, these are crowded at the edges, and
are seen to he arranged, more or less distinctly, side by
side ; their long axes set at right angles to the axis of the
craspedum^ and their emitting extremities either close to its
edge, or projecting from it. The more dense their aggrega-
tion, the more definitely is this arrangement maintained;
doubtless because displacement of their original position is
more readily effected by the flattening action of the com-
pressorium, when the cnid(B are more loosely scattered in
the fluid sarcode. The peritoneal membrane which invests
the whole is richly ciliated on its entire surface. (Plate XI.
fig. 3.) ^

The Acontia. Certain species of the Zoophytes under
consideration have the faculty of shooting forth from the
mouth, as well as from minute orifices scattered over the
surface of the body, slender flexible filaments, usually of
an opaque white hue, but sometimes, as in Adamsia
palUata, of a brilliant lilac tint. In some instances, as in
^agariia parasitica, 8. miniata Adamsia palliata, these
threads are protruded in great profusion, coiled up in
irregular spirals, and forming tangled masses that resemble
bundles of sewing cotton. It appears to be a means of
defence ; and any of the species just mentioned may
readily be excited to display these weapons by a slight
irritation of the surface of the body. The slightest touch
is usually a sufficient stimulus to the extension, which will
often continue to proceed for some time, the filaments
shooting forth from various points with great force and
rapidity. They have a strongly adhesive power, which,
however, is not dependent on any superficial viscosity, but
on the projectile power of the contained cnidee, of which I
shall presently speak.

If we carefully watch one of these threads, we shall
perceive that after a time it is gradually withdrawn again
into the body, by the orifice at which it was protruded. In
the case of S. parasitica, a large species, these filaments,
which I designate by the term acontia, sometimes extend
six inches from the body, in a straight line. Yet in a few
minutes the whole has disappeared. It is gradually cor-
rugated into small irregular coils, at the end which is
attached to the animal ; and these little coils are, one after

INTRODUCTION.

XXV

another, sucked in, as it were, through an imperceptible
orifice.

Acontia arc less universal than craspeda, for whereas
the latter arc always present, so far as I know, in this
order, the foiTner are found only in the Sagartiadce, and
perhaps in the Bunodidce. In Sagartia helUs they spring
from the mesenteries that carry the craspeda; generally
two acontia from each mesentery, and most frequently
in pairs. Their point of insertion may be anywhere in the
length of the mesentery, great irregularity prevailing in
this respect.

Though at first it seems a solid cylinder, the acontium is
really a flat narrow ribbon, with involute and approximate
edges, which can at pleasure be brought into contact,
and thus constitute a tube (Plate XI. fig. 4). Like the
crasjjediim, of which it seems to be a form modified for
a special use, its surface is richly ciliated ; and the ciliary
currents not only hurl along whatever floating atoms chance
to approach the surface, but cause the detached fragments
themselves to wheel round and round, and to swim away
through the water. Though there is not the slightest
trace of flbrillm in the structure of the acontium, even under
a power of 800 diameters, the clear sarcode, of which
its basis is composed, is endowed with a very evident
contractility.

Under pressure, the edges of the flattened acontium
appear to be thronged with clear viscous globules, over-
lapping one another, and protruding ; indicating one or
more layers of superficial cells, doubtless forming the
peritoneal e2)ithelium. As the pressure is increased, these
ooze out as long pear-shaped drops, and immediately
assume a perfectly globular form, with a high refractive
power. Below these is packed a dense crowd of cnidee,
arranged transversely.

The Cinclides. The emission of the acontia is provided
for by the existence of special orifices, which I term
Cinclides. The integument of the body, in the Sagartice,
is perforated by minute foramina, having a resemblance in
appearance to the spiracida of insects. They occur in the
interseptal spaces, opening a communication between these
and the external water.

The appearance of the cinclides may be compared to
that which would be presented by the lids of the human

XXVI

INTEODUCTION.

eye, supposing these to he reversed ; the convexity being
inwards. Each is an oval depression, with a transverse
slit across the middle. When closed, this slit may some-
times be discerned merely as a dark line (Plate XI. fig. 5, m),
the optical expression of the contact of the two edges ; but,
when slightly opened (Z), a brilliant line of light allows the
passage of the rays from the lamp to the beholder. From
this condition the lids may separate in various degrees,
until they are retracted to the margin of the oval pit, and
the whole orifice is open (k).

The dimensions of the cinclides vary not only with the
species, and probably also with the size of the individual,
but with the state of the muscular contraction of the integu-
ments, and, as I think, with the pleasure of the animal.
In a small specimen of S. dianthiis, I found the width of
a cinclis, measured transversely, ^th of an inch ; but that
of another, in the same animal, was more than twice as
great, viz. yg^th of an inch. This was on the thickened
marginal ring, or parapet, Avhich in this species surrounds
the tentacles, where the cinclides are larger than elsewhere.
Watching a specimen of S. nivea under the microscope,
I saw a cinch’s begin to open, and gradually expand till it
was almost circular in outline, and absth of an inch in
diameter. I slightly touched the animal, and it in an
instant enlarged the aperture to y^th of an inch. In a
specimen of S. bellis, less than half grown, I found the
cinclides numerous, and sufficiently easy of detection, but
rather less defined than in dianthusov nivea. They occurred
at about every fourth intersept, three intersepts being blind
for each perforate one, and about three or four in linear
series, but not quite regularly, in either of these respects.
In this case they were about shth of an inch in transverse
diameter, a large size, — and I measured one which was
even -ghtli of an inch. By bringing the animal before the
window, I could discern the light through the tiny orifices
with my naked eye.

From several good observations, and especially from
one on a cinclis, widely opened, that happened to be close
to the edge of the parapet of a diantJms, I perceived that
the passage is not absolutely open, at least in ordinary, but
that an excessively thin film lies across it. By delicate
focusing, I have detected repeatedly, in different degrees
of expansion, and even at the widest, the granulations of a

INTRODUCTION.

XXVll

membrane of exeessive tenuity, and one or two scattered
cnidce, across the bright interval. On another occasion, in
the case of a cinclis at the edge of tlie parapet — a position
singularly favourable for observation — I saw that this
subtle film was gradually pushed out until it assumed the
form of a hemisplierical bladder, in which state it remained
as long as I looked at it. At the same time the outline of
the cinclis itself was sharp and clear, when brought into
focus farther in. The film, whatever it be, is superficial,
and does not appear to be a portion of the integument
proper. I take it to be a film of mucus (composed of
deorganized epithelial cells), which is constantly in process
of being sloughed from all the superficial tissues in this
tribe of animals, and which continues tenaciously to invest
their bodies, until, corrugated by the successive contractions
of the animals, it is washed away by the motions of the
waves. As, however, one film is no sooner removed than
another commences to form, one would always expect
external pores so minute as these to be veiled by a mucus-
film in seasons of rest.

That the cinclides are the special orifices through
which those missile weapons, the acontia, are shot and
recovered, rests not merely on the probability that arises
from the coexistence of the two series of facts I have
above recorded, but upon actual observation. In a rather
large S. dianthus, somewhat distended, placed in a glass
vessel between my eye and the sun, I saw, with great dis-
tinctness, by the aid of a pocket-lens, many acontia
protruded from the cinclides, and many more of the latter
widely open. The acontia, in some cases, did not so
accurately fill the orifice but that a line of bright light (or
of darkness, according as the sun was exactly opposite
or not) was seen, partially bordering the issue of the
thread, while the thickened rim of the cinclis surrounded all.

The appearance of the orifices whence the acontia
issued was that of a tubercle or wart, and the same appear-
ance I have repeatedly marked in examples observed on
the stage of the microscope; namely, that of a perforate
pimple, or short columnar tube. This was clearly manifest,
when the animal, slowly swaying to and fro, brought the
sides of the cinclis into partial perspective.

On another occasion I witnessed the actual issue of the
acontia from the cinclides. I was watching, under a low

XXVlll

INTRODUCTION.

power of tlie microscope, a specimen of S. nivea, wliile, by
touching its body rudely, 1 provoked it to emit its missile
filaments. Presently they burst out with force, not all at
once, but some here and there, then more, and yet more,
on the repeated contractions of the corrugating walls of the
body. Occasionally the free extremity of a filament would
appear, but more frequently the hight of a bent one, and
very often I saw two, and even three, issue from the same
cinclis. The successive contractions of the animal under
irritation, caused the acontia already protruded to lengthen
with each fresh impetus, the bights still streaming out in
long loops, till perhaps the free end would be liberated,
and it would be a loop no longer ; and sometimes a new
thread would shoot from a cinclis, whence one or two long
ones were stretching already ; while, as often, the new-
comers would force open new cinclides for themselves. The
suddenness and explosive force with which they burst out,
appeared to indicate a resistance which was at length
overcome : — perhaps — in part at least — due to the epithelial
film above mentioned, or to an actual epiderm, which,
though often ruptured, has ever, with the aptitude to heal
common to these lowly structures, the power of quickly
uniting again.

It appeared to me manifest, from this and other similar
observations, that no such arrangement exists as that whicli
I had fancied ; — that a definite cinclis is assigned to a
definite acontium, or pair of acontia, and that the extremity
of the latter is guided to the former, with unerring accu-
racy, by some internal mechanism, whenever the exercise
of the defensive faculty is desired. What I judge to be the
true state of the case is as follows : The acontia, fastened
by one end to the septa or their mesenteries, lie, while
at rest, irregularly coiled up along the narrow interseptal
fossae. The outer walls of these fossffi are pierced with
the cinclides. When the animal is irritated, it immediately
contracts ; the water contained in the visceral cavity finds
vent at these natural orifices, and the forcible currents carry
with them the acontia, each through that cinclis whicli
happens to lie nearest to it. The frequency with which
a loop is forced out shows that the issue is the result of a
merely mechanical action; which is, however, not the less
worthy of our admiration because of the simplicity of the
contrivance, nor the less manifestly the result of Divine

INTRODUCTION.

XXIX

wisdom working to a given end by perfeetly adequate
means. The ejeeted acontia, loaded with their deadly
cnidie in every part of their length, earry abroad their
fatal powers not the less surely, than if each had been
provided with a proper tube leading from its free extremity
to the nearest cinclis.

The Cnidee. — I come now to describe those minute but
potent organs which constitute the object of all the mecha-
nism above described. Four distinct forms of these cap-
sules have occurred to my investigations ; and these I shall
treat of in turn.

(1.) Chambered Cnidee [Cnidee cameratee). This is
perhaps the most generally distributed form, as it is
manifestly the most elaborately armed. It may be well
examined in Caryophyllia Smithii. The globular heads
of the tentacles seem, under pressure, to be literally com-
posed of these capsules, the ends of which project side by
side, as close as they can be packed, one against another.
The form of these is long and slender, almost linear. The
craspeda are also similarly studded with cnidee^ which are,
however, of longer dimensions, and of fuller form. As I have
seen no chambered cnid®, in any species, so large as these, I
shall take them as a standard for description, alluding to
those of other species only when they differ from these.

They are perfectly transparent, colourless vesicles, of a
lengthened ovate figure, considerably larger at one end
than at the other (Plate XI. fig. 6). One of average
dimensions measures in length *004 inch, and in greatest
diameter *0005. In the larger (the anterior) moiety, is
seen, passing longitudinally through its centre, a slender
chamber, fusiform or lozenge-form, about ‘00015 inch in
its greatest transverse diameter, and tapering to a point at
each extremity. The anterior point merges into the "walls
of the cnidee at its extremity, while the posterior end, after
having become attenuated like the anterior, dilates with a
fuunel-sliaped mouth, in which the eye can clearly see a
double-infolding of the chamber-wall. After this double
fold the structure prpceeds as a very slender cord, which,
])assing back towards the anterior end of the capsule, winds
loosely round and round the chamber, with some regadarity
at first, but becoming involved in contortions more and
more intricate as it fills up the posterior moiety of the
cavity. The fusiform chamber appears to be marked on

XXX

INTEODL’CTIOX.

its inner surface with regularly recurring seiTations, which
are the optical expression of that peculiar armature to be
described presently.

Under the stimulus of pressure, when subjected to micro-
scopical examination, and doubtless under nervous stimulus,
subject to the control of the will, during the natural exer-
cise of the aniinal’s functions, the cnidce suddenly emit
their contents with great force, in a regular and prescribed
manner. It must not be supposed, however, that the pres-
sure spoken of is the immediate mechanical cause of the
emission ; the contact of the glass-plates of the compres-
sorium is never so absolute as to exert the least direct force
upon the walls of the capsule itself; but the disturbance
produced by the compression of the sm-rounding tissues
excites an irritability which evidently resides in a very
high degree in the interior of the cnidce ; and the pro-
jection of the contents is the result of a vital force.

In general the eye can scarcely, or not at all, follow the
lightning-like rapidity with which the chamber and its
twining thread are shot forth from the larger end of the
cnida. But sometimes impediments delay the emission,
or allow it to proceed only in a fitful manner, a minute
portion at a time ; and sometimes, from tlie resistance of
friction (as against the glass-plate of the compressorium),
the elongation of the thread proceeds evenly, but so slowly
as to be watched with the utmost ease ; and sometimes the
process, which has reached a certain point normally, be-
comes, from some cause, arrested, and the contents of the
cell remain permanently fixed in a transition state. Thus
a long continued course of patient observation is pretty
sure to present some fortuitous combinations, and abnormal
conditions, which greatly elucidate phenomena that nor-
mally seemed to defy investigation.

In watching any particular cnida, the moment of its
emission may be predicted Avith tolerable accuracy by the
protrusion of a nipple -shaped wart from the anterior
extremity. This is the base of the thread. The process
of its protrusion is often slow and gradual, until it has
attained a length about equal to tAvice its OAvn diameter,
Avhen it suddenly yields, and the contents of the cnida dart
forth. At this instant I have, in many instances, heard a
distinct crack or crepitation, in the examination of cnidce
both of this species and of 8. parasitica.

INTRODUCTION.

XXXI

When fully expelled ^ the thread or wire, which I distin-
guish by the term ecthormim (Plate XI. fig. 7, n), is often
twenty, thirty, or even forty times the length of the cnida ;
though, in some species, as in most of the Sagarti(B, it
frequently will not exceed one-and-a-half, or two times the
length of the cnida.

The ecthoraa, wliich are discharged by cliamhered cnidce,
are invariably furnished with a peculiar armature. The
basal portion, for a length equal to that of the cnida, or a
little more, is distinctly swollen, but at the point indicated
it becomes (often abruptly) attenuated, and runs on for the
remainder of its length as an excessively slender wire of
equal diameter throughout. In the short ecthorcea of
Sagartia, the attenuated portion is obsolete.

It is chiefly upon this ventricose basal portion that the
elaborate armature is seen, which is so characteristic of
these remarkable organs. For around its exterior wind
one or more spiral thickened bands, varying in different
species as to their number, the number of volutions made
by each, and the angle which the spiral forms with
the axis of the ecthorceum. The whole spiral, formed of
these thickened bands, I designate the screw, or strehla
(fig. 7, o).

In the ecthorcea emitted by cliamhered cnidee from the
craspeda of T. crassicornis, the screw is formed of a single
band, ha\dng an inclination of 45° to the axis, and be-
coming invisible when it has made seven volutions. In
those from the same organ in S. parasitica we find a
screw of two equidistant bands, each of which makes
about six turns, — twelve in all, — having an inclination of
70° from the common axis. Iii those similarly placed in
Garyophyllia, the strehla is composed of three equidistant
bands, each of which makes about ten volutions — thirty in
all — with an inclination of about 40° from the axis. In
every case the spiral runs from the east towards the north,
supposing the axis to point perpendicularly upwards.

{Sometimes, esi^ecially after having been expelled for
some time, the wall of the ecthorceum becomes so attenu-
ated as to be evanescent, while the strehla is still distinctly
visible. An inexperienced observer would be liable, under
such circumstances, to suppose that the screw, when formed
of a single band, as in 'T. crassicornis, is itself the wire ;
an error into which I myself had formerly fallen. An

XXXll

INTRODUCTION.

error of another kind I fell into, in supposing that the
triple screw of the wire in C. Smith ii was a series of
imbricate plates : the structure of the armature is tlie same
in all cases (■s\dth the variations in detail that I have just
indicated) ; and the structure is, I am now well assm-ed,
a spiral thickened band, running round the wall of the
ecthoraum on its exterior surface. I have been able, when
examining such large forms as those of Corynactis and
Caryo^hyllia, with a power of 750 diameters, to follow the
course of the screw, as it alternately approached and receded
from the eye, by altering the focus of the objective, so as
to bring each part successively into the sphere of vision.

These thickened spiral bands afford an insertion for a
series of firm bristles, which appear to have a broad base
and to taper to a point. Tlieir length I cannot determin-
ately indicate, but I have traced it to an extent which
considerably exceeds the diameter of the ecthor£eum. These
barbed bristles I denominate fa. (See fig. 7,p.) _

The number of yterygia appears to vary within slight
limits. As well as I have been able to make out, there are
but eight in a single volution of the one-banded strebJa in
T. crass icor Ills ; while in the more complex screws of S.
parasitica, Cor. viridis, and Cary. Smithii there appear to
be twelve in each volution.

The barbs, when they first appear, invariably project in
a diagonal direction from the ectliorcBum ; and sometimes
they maintain this posture ; but more commonly, either in
an instant, or slowly and gradually, they assume a reverted
direction.

From some delicate observations, made with a very good
light, I have reason to conclude that the strebla, and even
the pterygia, are continued on the attenuated portion of the
ecthormiin, perhaps throughout its length. In Corynactis
and Caryophyllia I have succeeded in tracing them up a
considerable distance. In the latter I saw the continuation
of all these bands, with their bristles; but the angle of
inclination had become nearly twice as acute as before,
being only 22° from the axis. The appearance of the
attenuate portion, as also of the base of the ventricose part,
is exactly that of a three-sided wire, twisted on itself ; the
barbs projecting from the angles.

(2.) Tangled Cnidce {Cnidce glomiferce). This form is
very generally distributed, and is mingled with the former

INTRODUCTION.

xxxin

in the various tissues. In tlie genus Sagartia, however, it
is by far the rarer form, while in Actinia and Anthea,
it seems to be the onl}^ one.

The pretty little Corynactis viridis is the best species
that I am acquainted with for studying this kind of cnidcc.
Their figure is near that of a perfect oval {Plate XT. fig. 9),
but a little flattened in one aspect, about '004 inch in the
longer, and "OOIS in the shorter diameter. Their size,
therefore, makes them peculiarly suitable for observations
on the structm'e and functions of these curious organs.
AVithin the cavity is a thread {ecthorceiim) of gi-eat length
and tenuity, coiled up in some instances with an approach
to regularity, but much more commonly in loose contor-
tions, like an end of thread rudely rolled into a bundle with
the fingers.

The armature of this kind does not differ essentially from
that already described. It is true, I have detected it only in
Corynactis, where the short eciliorceum of the tangled cnida
is sun-ounded throughout its length by a barbed strebla of
three bands. The barbs are visible under very favourable
conditions for observation, even while the tangled wire
remains enclosed in the cnida, but their optical expression
is that of serratures of the walls, without the least appear-
ance of a screw. This is the only species in which I have
actually seen the armature of the ecthoraum in this kind of
cnida, but I infer its existence from analogy, in other
species, where the conditions that can be recognised agree
with those in this, though the excessive attenuation of the
parts precludes actual observation of the structure in
question.

(3.) Spiral Cnidee {Cnidee cocldeatce). In a few species, as
S. parasitica, T. crassicornis, and Cerianthus Lloydii, I have
found very elongated fusiform which seem composed

of a slender cylindrical thread, coiled into a very close and
regular spiral. In some cases the extremities are obtuse, but
in others, as in T. crassicornis, the posterior extremity
runs off to a finely attenuated point, the whole of the spire
visible even to the last, the whole bearing no small resem-
blance to a multispiral shell, as one of the Cerithiadee or
Turritellad(B (Plate XI. fig. 10). The cctliorcciim is dis-
charged reluctantly from this form, and i have never seen
an example in which the whole had been run off. So ex-
cessively subtle are the walls of the cnida, that it was not

c

XXXIV

INTRODUCTION.

until after many observations that I detected them, in an
example from T. crassicornis, which had discharged about
half of the wire ; 1 have not seen the slightest sign of arma-
ture on the cethormim. So far as my investigations go,
these spiral cnidce are confined to the walls of the tentacles,
in which, however, they are the dominant form.

(4.) Olohate Cnidce [cnidce globatce) ? In the acontiiim
of T. parasitica flattened under pressure, and finally ex-
pressed from its substance, are numerous more or less
globose or ovate vesicles, which gradually push out a
cylindrical protuberance at each end, sometimes to a length
equal to that of the original form (figs. 11, 12). These
vesicles appear filled with a fluid of different refractive
power from that of the clear sarcode in which they are
lodged ; but no sign of contained thread have I been able
to detect, nor have I seen any discharge beyond the pro-
trusion above spoken of. I am not at all sure that these
vesicles are consimilar in function with the true cnidce ;
and I am still more doubtful about the bacillar bodies
found in the acontioid filaments of T. crassicornis.

In the indubitable cnidce, — those which I have distin-
guished as (1) Chambered and (2) Tangled, — the emission
of the ecthorceiim is a process of distinct eversion. This is
not a solid but a tubular prolongation of the walls of the
cnidce, turned in, during its primal condition, like the finger
of a glove drawn into the cavity. Some of the observa-
tions on which I ground this conclusion I have already
published, but it may not be impertinent to repeat them
here, with others which have since occuiTed to me, all
proving the same fact. In the discharge of the ecthorceiim
of the tangled cnidce, it frequently runs out, not in a right
line, but in a spiral form ; whenever this is the case, each
band of the spire is made, and stereotyped, so to speak, in
succession, wnile the tips go on lengthening : the tiio only
progresses, the whole of the portion actually discharged
remains perfectly fixed ; which could not be on any other
supposition than that of evolution. In the discharge of the
chambered kind, the ventricose or basal portion first
appears ; the lower barbs fly out before the upper ones,
and all are fully expanded before the attenuated portion
begins to lengthen. This again is consistent only with the
fact of the evolution of the whole. On several occasions of
observation on the chambered cnidce of Caryophyllia, I

INTRODUCTION.

XXXV

have actually seen the unevolved portion of the ecthorcBum
running out through the centre of the evolved ventricose
portion. But perhaps the most instructive and convincing
example of all was the following. One of the large tangled
cnidae of Corynac.tis viridis had shot about half of its wire
Avith rapidity, Avhen a kind of twist, or “ kink,” occurred
against the nipple of the cnida, whereby the process was
suddenly arrested. The projectile force, however, continuing,
caused the impediment to yield, and minute portions of the
thread flew out, piecemeal, by fits and starts. By turning
the stage-screw 1 brought the extremity of the discharged
portion into view, and saw it sloAvly evolving, a little at a
time. Tm'iiing back to the cnida I saw the kink gradually
give way, and the whole of the tangled wire quickly fleAv
out through the nipple. I once more moved the stage, fol-
lowing up the ecthor(Bum, and presently found the true
extremity, and a large portion of the wire still inverted ;
slowly evolving indeed, but very distinct throughout its
whole coiu’se, within the walls of the evolved portion
(fig. 8).

From all these observations, there cannot remain a doubt
of the successive eversion of the entire ectliormum. It may
be asked. What is the nature of the force by which the
contained thread is expelled? That it is a potent force,
is obvious to any one who marks the sudden explosive
violence with which the nipple-like end of the cnida gives
way, and the contents burst forth ; as also the extreme
rapidity with which, ordinarily, the whole length is evolved.
A curious example of this force once excited my admiration :
the ecthorccuni trom a cnida of Corynactis viridis was in
course of rapid evolution, when the tip came full against
the side of another cnida already emptied. The evolution
Avas momentarily arrested, but the wall of the empty
capsule presently Avas seen to bend iiiAvard, and suddenly
to give way, the ecthorceum forcing itself in, and shooting
round and round the interior of the cnida.

The most careful observations have failed to reveal a
lining membrane to the cnida. I have repeatedly dis-
cerned a double outline to the walls themsch'es — the
optical expression of their ^ diameter ; but liavc ncA’cr
detected any, even the least, appearance of any tissue
starting from the walls, as the ecthoraeum bursts out. My
first supposition, reluctantly resigned, Avas, that some such

XXXYl

INTRODUCTION.

lining membrane of high contractile power, lessened, on
irritation, the volume of the cavity, and forced out the
wire.

The cnida is filled, however, with a fluid. This is very
distinctly seen, occupying the ca^dty, when from any im-
pediment, such as above described, the wire flies out
fitfully — waves, and similar motions, passing from wall to
wall : sometimes, even before any portion of the wire has
escaped, the whole mass of tangled coils is seen to move
irregularly from side to side, within the capsule, from the
operation of some intestine cause. The emission itself is a,
process of injection ; for I have many times seen floating
atoms driven forcibly along the interior of the ecthoresum,
sometimes swiftly, and sometimes more deliberately.
Nothing that I have seen, would lead me to conclude that
the wall of the cnida is ciliated.

I consider, then, that this fluid, holding organic cor-
puscles in suspension, is endowed with a high degree of
expansibility ; that, in the state of repose, it is in a con-
dition of compression, by the inversion of the ecthorceum ;
and that, on the excitement of a suitable stimulus, it
forcibly exerts its expansile power, distending, and con-
sequently projecting, the tubular ecthorceum, — the only part
of the wall that will yield without actual rupture.

The cnidce cannot, I think, be regarded in the light of
cells, since they are but the contents of other vesicles,
which thus present a higher claim to the character of cell-
wall. In the craspeda of S. parasitica, may be seen many
of the chambered cnidce, bearing this outer envelope,
which, without determining anything concerning its nature,
I shall distinguish as peribola. Many of the cnidce have
ruptured their investing membrane, which gives way at no
special point, sometimes at the anterior end, sometimes at
the posterior, and as frequently, all down the side. The
perihola thus ruptured, may be seen in many instances still
hanging about the cnida, while others are quite free from
any remains of it, and in some cases I have seen the cnida
still enveloped in its perihola, unruptm’ed.

The perihola I have seen investing, and hanging around
the cnidce of the spiral and glohate kinds, and this circum-
stance has afforded me an additional ground for presuming the
latter to belong to this category of organs (figs. 11, 12, ^).

It appears necessary that the cnida should set itself free

INTRODUCTION.

XXXVll

by the rupture of its •perihola^ before it can effect the
emission of its ectlwrmim. At least I liave never met with
an example of the contrary.

It has long been known, that a very slight contact with
the tentacles of a polype is sufficient to produce, in any
minute animal so touched, torpor and speedy death. Since
the discovery of these cnidae, the fatal power has been
supposed to be lodged in them. Baker, a century ago, in
speaking of the Hydra, suggested that “ there must be
something eminently poisonous in its grasp;” and this
suspicion received confirmation from the circumstance that
the Entomostraca, which are enveloped in a shelly covering,
frequently escape unhurt after having been seized. The
stinging power possessed by many Medusa, which is suf-
ficiently intense to be formidable even to man, has been
reasonably attributed to the same organs, which the micro-
sco|)e shows to be accumulated by millions in their tissues.

Though I cannot reduce this presumption to actual
certainty, I have made some experiments, which leave no
reasonable doubt on the subject. First — I have proved
that the ecthoraum Avhen shot, has the power of penetrating,
and does actually penetrate, the tissues of even the higher
animals. Several years ago, 1 was examining one of the
purple acontia of Adamsia palUata : no pressure had been
used, but a considerable number of cnida had been spon-
taneously dislodged. It happened, that I had just before
been looking at the sucker-foot of an Asterina, which
remained still attached to the glass of the aquatic box, by
means of its terminal disk. The cilia of the acontium had,
in their rowing action, brought it into contact with the
sucker, round which it then continued slowly to revolve.
The result I presently discerned to be, that a considerable
number of the cnidee had shot their ecihoraa into the
flesh of the sucking disk of the Echinoderm, and were seen
sticking all round its edge, the wires imbedded in its sub-
stance even up to the very capsules, like so many pins
stuck around a toilet pin-cushion.

To test this power of penetration still farther, as well as
to try whether it is brought into exercise on the contact of
a foreign body with the living Anemone, I instituted the
following experiment. With a razor I took shavings of
the cuticle, from the callous part of my own foot, as from the
ball of the toe, and from the heel. One of these shavings I

sxxYin

IKTKODUCIION.

presented to the tentacles of a fully expanded T. crassicornis.
After contact, and momentary adhesion, I Avithdrew the
cuticle, and examined it under a power of 600 diameters.
I found, as I had expected, cnidce studding the surface,
standing up endAvise, the Avires in every case shot into the
substance. They Avere not numerous — in a space of '01
inch square, I counted about a dozen.

I then irritated a S. parasitica till it ejected an acontium,
and taking up Avith pliers another shaving of the cuticle,
alloAved it to touch the acontium, Avhich instantly adhered
across its surface. I noAv drcAV aAvay the cuticle gently, so
as not to rupture the acontium, and examining it as before,
immediately saAV dense groups of cnidce, standing endAvise
on the surface, the ecthorcea all discharged and inserted in
the substance almost to the A^ery capsules. The groups
Avere set in a sinuous line, across tlie cuticle, Avhei'e the
acontium had adhered, Avith scattered cnidce betAveen them
on the same line. In one of these groups I counted thirty-
five cnidce in an area about ’0025 inch square.

These examples prove that the slightest contact Avith the
proper organs of the Anemone is sufficient to provoke the
discharge of the cnidce; and that even the densest condition
of the human skin offers no impediment to the penetration
of the ecthorcea.

As to the injection of a poison, it is indubitable that
pain, and in some cases death, ensues even to Axrtebrate
animals from momentary contact A\dth the capsuliferous
organs of the Zoophyta. The very severe pain, folloAved
by torpor, lasting for a Avhole day, Avhich Mr. George
Bennett has described as experienced by himself, on taking
hold of Physcdis pelagica, Avas produced by the contact of
the tentacles. The late Professor EdAvard Forbes has
graphically depicted the “prickly torture ” Avhich results to
“ tender-skinned bathers,” from the touch of the long
filamentous tentacles — “poisonous threads” — of the Cyanoea
capillata of our oavu seas ; and observes that these ampu-
tated Aveapons severed from the parent-hody, sting as fiercely
as if their original proprietor itself gave the Avord of
attack. I have been assured by ladies that they have felt
a distinct stinging sensation, like that produced by the
leaves of the nettle, on the tender skin of the fingers, from
handling our common Anthea cereus ; Avhile, on the other
hand, I haA^e myself handled the species, scores of times,

INTRODUCTION.

XX XIX

■with impimity. And I liave elsewhere* recorded an in-
stance, in which a little fish, swimming about in health and
vigour, died in a few minutes -with great agony, through
the momentary contact of its lip with one of the emitted
acontia of Sagartia parasitica. It is worthy of observation,
that, in this case, the fish carried away a portion of the
acontium sticking to its lip ; the force with w'hich it ad-
hered being so great, that the integrity of the tissues yielded
first. The Acontium severed, rather than let go its hold.'\

Now, in the experiments which I have detailed above,
we have seen that this adhesion is effected by the actual
impenetration of the foreign body, by a multitude of the
ecthoreea, whose barbs resist wdthdrawal. So that we can
with certainty associate the sudden and violent death of
the little fish with the intromission of barbed ecthorcea.

I have instituted some experiments with a view to try
whether acid or alkaline properties could be detected in the
(presumed) fluid which is discharged. First with a solu-
tion of indigo, and afterwards with the expressed juice of
violets, I occupied the plate of the compressorium ; and in
the flattened drop made the cnidcB in the acontium of S.
parasitica to emit. In the case of the indigo, the colouring
matter remained in the form of masses, but the juice of
violets affords an apparently homogeneous fluid, even "when
reduced by pressure to an excessively thin film. I could
not detect, even with the most careful scrutiny, the slightest
tinge of discoloration of the blue fluid, — not the most
delicate shade of red or green — along the side of the
emitted ecthoraa, nor in the vicinity of the cnida. And

* “ The Aquarium,” ed. 1. p. 115.

t Dr. Waller has recently recorded an interesting experiment which he
made with Act. mesembryanthemum. He allowed its tentacles to touch
the tip of his tongue. “ The result was such as to satisfy the most scep-
tical respecting the offensive weapons with which it is furnished. The
animal seized the organ most vigorously, and was detached from it with
some difficulty after the lapse of about a minute. Immediately a pungent
acrid pain commenced, which continued to increase for some minutes,
until it became extremely distressing. The point attacked felt inflamed
and much swollen, although to the eye no change in the part could bo
detected. These symptoms continued unabated for about an hour, and a
slight temporary relief was only obtained by immersing the tongue in cold
or warm water. After this period the symptoms gradually abated, and
about four hours later, they had entirely disappeared. A day or two after,
a very minute ulceration was perceived over the apex of the tongue, which
disappeared after being touched with nitrate of silver.”— (Proc. Roy. Soc.
April 14, 1859.)

xl

INTRODUCTION.

though, in order to obtain a greater intensity of eolour, I
allowed a drop of violet-juice to dry on each plate of the
compressorium , so that with a power of 800 diameters, the
whole field was of a deep uniform translucent blue — still
the ejected wire produced no change of tint.

Such a test as this is not sufficient to prove that no acid
or alkaline property exists in the discharged fluid, and still
less that no poisonous fluid at all is effused ; since that
most concentrated poison, the venom of the rattlesnake, is
said to change vegetable blues to reds, in so slight a degree
as to be scarcely perceptible*

Admitting the existence of a venomous fluid, it is diffi-
cult to imagine where it is lodged, and how it is injected.
The first thought that occurs to one’s mind is, that it is the
organic fluid which we have seen to fill the interior of the
cnida, and to be forced through the everting tubular eciho-
rceum. But if so, it cannot be ejected through the ex-
tremity of the ectTio7'oeum, because if this were an open
tube, I do not see how the contraction of the fluid in the
cnida could force it to evolve; the fluid would escape
through the still inverted tube. It is just possible that
the barbs may be tubes open at the tips, and that the
poison-fluid may be ejected through these. But I rather
incline to the hypothesis, that the cavity of the ectliorcBum
in its primal inverted condition while it yet remains coiled up
in the cnida, is occupied with the potent fluid in question,
and that it is poured out gradually within the tissues of
the victim, as the evolving tip of the wire penetrates farther
and farther into the wound.

I

Perhaps it is not too much to say that the whole range of
organic existence does not afford a more wonderful example
than this, of the minute workmanship and elaboration of
the parts, the extraordinary mode in which certain pre-
scribed ends are attained, and the perfect adaptation of the
contrivance to the work which it has to do.

* In a communication made by Dr. M'Donnell to the Royal Society,
some experiments were detailed, which bad led the observer to believe that
electricity was the power in question. In a subsequent paper, however,
that gentleman gave up his hypothesis. {Proc. Roy. Soc. Jan. 14, and
Nor. 18, 1858.)

90, line 9

EREATUM IN PART III.

! “lowest pan of each tentacle

( full orange.”

BRITISH SEA-ANEMONES.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
AND EXPLANATION OF TERMS.

As it is of great importance in scientific description to
employ precise terms for the various parts of the objects
described, and for the conditions of those parts, and to use
the same terms always in the same sense, I here define the
terms which I propose to use in this work.

The principal parts of the body of a Sea- Anemone are
the following : — the base ; the column ; the disk ; the
tentacles ; the mouth ; the cavity.

1. The Base (Basu).

This is the lowest part of the animal, usually forming
a flat area, by means of which it adheres to other bodies.
It is often expanded {expama), its outline being consi-
derably broader than a section of the column. In some
cases, as in Edwardsia, it becomes very small, loses its
function, and finally, as in Cerianthus, disappears. In
Adamsia, it is greatly extended laterally into two wings,
which, curving round, meet and unite by their edges,
forming a complete circle. This form of base may be
distinguished as annular [annularis).

B

2

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

2. The Column {Columna).

The body rises in a more or less cylindrical shape, when
the base is attached, like the trunk of a tree, often gi'ace-
fully and rapidly diminishing from the basal expansion,
and sometimes dilating towards the upjjer extremity : — this
I call the COLUMN. At the summit {vertex), the column is,
as it were, cut off transversely, forming a distinct MARGIN
[margo). In some cases, as in Actinoloba, the margin rises
into a thickened parapet [tichium) or low wall, separated
from the tentacles by a groove or fosse (fossa). In others,
there is neither parapet nor fosse. The margin may be
NOTCHED (crenata) ; or, instead of notches there may be
distinct tentacles, constituting the outer row of these organs ;
in this case the margin is tentaculate (tentacidata).

The surface of the column may be quite smooth (Icevis) ;
studded with low warts, — warty (verrucosa) ; or marked
with longitudinal sunken lines, — FURROWED (sulcata).
When the furrows are deep and the intermediate spaces
swell out in a rounded outline, it is invected (invecta) ;
when the column is surrounded by transverse wrinkles, it
may be called insected (insecta) ; when these insections are
so deep as to seem to cut-off or divide the body into parts,
it is constricted (constricta) ; when the surface is crossed
by numerous longitudinal and transverse wrinkles, it is CAN-
CELLATED (cayicellata) ; when minutely and very irregularly
wrinkled, like the bark of a rough tree, it is CORRUGATED
(corrugata). Some of these conditions are not permanently
characteristic of any species, but are assumed temporarily
during the changes of form induced by contraction. As
to substance, the column may be tough and resisting,
approaching a leathery consistence (coriacea) ; fleshy
(carnosa), when soft but moderately firm ; or pulpy
(pulposa), when very soft and yielding.

AND EXPLANATION OF TERftlS.

3

The WARTS {verrucce)^ in some speeies, are hollow, and
furnished with a muscular arrangement by which a vacuum
is formed, and the edges adhere firmly to foreign bodies ;
these may be called suckers {acetahula). Other species
have the skin and the muscular beds beneath it pierced
with minute orifices, for the emission of armed threads ;
these may be called loop-holes {cinclides).

3. The Disk {Facies).

This is the flattened upper extremity of the column, as
the base is the flattened lower extremity. Its outline is
circular ; and this is recognised without difficulty when, as
is usually the case, the edge is plane {plana) ; but some-
times the edge is wavy {undulata), as in hellis ; or even
deeply frilled {sinuosa)^ as in dianthus. In Actinia
proper, the disk bears, just within its margin, a row of
spherules {splicerulce marginales) ; and, in every species, it
carries the tentacles, and is pierced at the centre by the
mouth. Converging lines {radii) cover the surface of the
disk, starting from each tentacle-foot and meeting around
the mouth. One radius on each side of the disk, leading
to each mouth-angle {gonidium)^ is often more marked
than the rest ; these may be termed GONIDIAL radii {radii
gonidiales).

4. The Tentacles {Tentacula).

These are hollow cones springing from the siu'face of the
disk, and arranged in one or more series of circles towards
its margin. When there are more circles than one, that
circle which is nearest the centre may be called the first
ROW {series prima) ; that which stands next to it towards
the margin the SECOND {series secunda) ; and so on till we
reach the outermost {series extima). Witli respect to
each individual tentacle, its FRONT {untied) is that aspect

u 2

4

OtEnekal description

which is next to the centre; its BACK (jyostica), that which
is next to the margin ; its RIGHT and LEFT sides (latus
dextrum, 1. sinistrum), those which depend upon these
indications. Each tentacle has a foot {radix) and a tip
{apex).

5. The Mouth (Os).

The entrance to the stomach is placed, as has been stated
above, in the centre of the disk. It is surrounded by a
generally thickened lip [labium), which is sometimes
elevated on a cone [colliculus), and sometimes level. The
LIP may be smooth [Iceve), or FURROWED [sulcatum) ; at
each of two opposite points, — the mouth-angles [gonidia),
— there are placed two tubercles [lentigines) , between which
opens an imperfect tube or groove formed by the approxi-
mation of two cartilaginous bands : these grooves, one at
each mouth-angle, may be termed gonidial grooves
[canales gonidiales). Their function appears to be that of
oviducts. (In Actinoloba, there is but a single mouth-
angle, and a single groove).* From the lip descends
into the cavity of the body a membranous veil, much
gathered into folds, but free at the lower edge, like a sack
without a bottom ; this is the STOMACH [stomachus) , of
which the portion immediately below the lip may be
conveniently termed the throat [gula).

6. The Cavity [Venter).

The whole of the region included between the walls of
the column and the stomaeh-wall, and between the free
edge of the stomaeh and the base, may be indicated by
this term. It is divided into imperfeet ehambers by

* In Actinopsis, a singular form recently described by Messrs. Danielssen
and Keren from the Norwegian coast, the gonidial tubercles are prolonged
into a pair of long and rigid semi-cylinders, the sides of which are bent
downwards, and the tips of w’hich are cleft.

AND EXPLANATION OF TERMS.

5

perpendicular muscular partitions {septa), all of which are
inserted into the column-wall, hut advance into the cavity
in various degrees. Some are inserted by their inner edge
into the stomach-wall, completely dividing-ofF the cavity :
these may be called primary septa {septa primordialia) .
Others are placed intermediately between these, which do
not reach the stomach-wall ; these are secondary septa
{s. secundaria). Others, again, are intermediate between
these and the former, whose height is still lower (these may
be distinguished as tertiary (s. tertiaria) ; and so on, if
tliere be any series beyond this. The spaces thus parted
off in the cavity, I would call intersepts {intersepta).
The free edges of the secondary and tertiary septa, and also
of the primary ones below the stomach, carry a thin
membrane which encloses the ovaries {ovaria), and is
terminated by a sort of CORD {craspedum), much twisted
and involved. Long missile cords {acontia) are in some
species attached by one end to the partitions, and lie coiled-
up, or float freely, in the intersepts : these are, by the volun-
tary contractions of the animal, forcibly ejected through the
loop-holes, into which they are then gradually withdrawn.
Both the craspeda and the acontia are almost wholly com-
posed of THREAD-CAPSULES {cnidce), which contain a coiled
WIRE {ecthormim). This wire is shot out under particular
stimulus, and is an efficient weapon of offence ; it is usually
surrounded with one or more spiral bands composing the
SCREW {strehla), each of which carries a series of barbs
{pterygia) ; and the whole apparatus is a vehicle for the
infusion of some highly venomous fluid.

The different conditions assumed by the animal, may be
distinguished as the FLOWER {anthus), Avhen the disk with
its tentacles is expanded; the button {oncus), when these
are retracted and concealed by the closing over them of the
summit of the column.

6

CLASS ZOOPHYTA.

Animals of radiate structure; of gelatinous or fleshy
substance ; more or less column-shaped ; having, in general,
one end permanently attached or temporarily adherent to
foreign bodies ; the other end forming a flat disk surrounded
by one or more circles of tentacles, and pierced in the
centre by a mouth opening into the digestive cavity ;
furnished with offensive weapons in the form of capsules
imbedded in the tissues, each of which encloses a projectile
poisoning dart ; possessing no special organs of sense.

OKDER ACTINOIDA.

The visceral cavity inclosing the stomach, and divided
into compartments by perpendicular partitions of membrane
which support the reproductive organs ; germs ejected
through the mouth.

SUB- ORDER ACTINARIA.

Tentacles twelve or upwards, rarely warty ; membranous
partitions sometimes simple, sometimes depositing solid
calcareous plates, which, with the surrounding walls, con-
stitute the coraUum.

TRIBE I.— ASTR^ACEA.

Tentacles many, in imperfect series, or scattered ; coral-
lum (when present) calcareous, consisting of cells containing
many radiating plates; the plates prolonged outward beyond
the cells which enclose them. (N.B. No known British
species of this Tribe deposits a coralhim.)

TRIBE II.— CARYOPHYLLACEA.

Tentacles many, in two or more series ; mostly increasing
by lateral buds ; generally depositing a coi'aUmn, which is
invariably calcareous, and many-rayed.

7

: TRIBE III— MADREPORACEA.

Tentacles in a single series, twelve (rarely more), some-
times ol)3olete : gemmiparous ; gemmation lateral : coral-
ligenons ; cm'allum calcareous ; cells [calyces] quite small :
rays [septa] six to twelve, or obsolete : interstitial surface
not lamello-striate. [Not British.)

TRIBE IV.— ANTIPATHACEA.

Animals with six tentacles, forming at the base horny
secretions (fleshy, enveloping a horny axis). [Not British.)

TRIBE L— ASTR^ \CEA.

ANALYSIS OF THE NON-CORALLIGENOUS FAMILIES.

Base adherent at pleasure.

Tentacles compound (Not Britiish) MetrkUada.

Tentacles simple.

Column pierced with loop-holes Sagartiada. ^

Colirmn imperforate.

Column smooth.

Margin simple AntJieadce.

Margin beaded *. . . Actiniadoe. tyl

Column waited Bunodidce. / St?

Rise non-adherent.

Lower extremity rounded, simple I/yanthida. J J

Lower extremity inclosing an air-chamber Minyadida.

8

TRIBE L— ASTR^ACEA.

All the members of this Tribe with which we are fami-
liar on the European shores are simple, and destitute of
a corallum. But when those of all seas are taken into con-
sideration, we find that the majority are compound and
coralligenous. The increase of these is effected by the
budding forth of new polypes from the single primary
polype ; and it is in the manner of this gemmation that
the tribe Aslrc&acea differs from the Caryoj^liylliacea. In
the former, increase invariably takes place by the extension
of the summit, and not of the side or base. The process of
widening, in budding polypes, may be confined to the parts
exterior to the disk and visceral cavity below, or the disk
and cavity may continuously enlarge ; in the latter case,
the buds open in the disks, the process of budding being
the cause of their enlargement (Dana).

The greater part of the Astrcecicea increase by disk-buds,
and spontaneous subdivision ; the disk of the polype, and
the cell of the corallum, gradually widening by growth,
and finally separating into two portions, which become in-
dependent. A few only widen exteriorly to the disk, or in
the interstitial spaces between the cells of aggregate corals
(Dana).

The polypes in both this and the following tribe are
many-tentacled ; but, while this character distinguishes
them from the two other tribes, it is of no assistance in
discriminating those species with which we have to do.
Moreover, as our Astraeacea are all simple, it is difficult to
apply the rule derived from the manner of gemmation.
The spontaneous fission of some species, however, as
Actinoloba diantlius, partially, Antliea cereus completely,
may help us to assign their affinities ; and their general
resemblanee, inter se, and that of the whole to the polypes
of the coralligenous Astraacea, leave little room for un-
certainty.

9

FAMILY L— METRIDIADiE.

{No European species.)

FAMILY IL— SAGARTIAD^.

I have thought tit to associate in this group those genera
of the Tribe, which have the following characters : — They
do not deposit a coraUum. They have a broad base, capable,
at the pleasure of the animal, of firmly adhering to foreign
bodies, such as rocks, stones, and shells ; or of being used
as a foot, on which to creep, somewhat in the manner of a
snail. They have always simple, smooth tentacles, arranged
in (generally) unintemipted circles at the margin of the
disk, but often encroaching far upon its surface. Their
body is for the most part pulpy or fleshy, generally lubri-
cated on the surface with copious mucus ; its exterior is
often studded with sucking cavities, hicli have the power
of adhering to foreign bodies, by the formation of a vacuum
within the cavity, its muscular edges being appressed by
the weight of the superincumbent atmosphere and water.
The margins of these cavities do not rise into conspicuous
warts when inactive. The integument is pierced with
loop-holes {cinclides), — special orifices, through which are
emitted and retracted fleshy cords {acontia), which liave
their origin in the membranous partitions of the body-
cavity. These arc filled with capsules {cnidce), which arc
generally chamhered, and which shoot a very short, but
densely-armed wire {ecthormm).

ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA.

Tentacles moderately long, slender.

Disk perfectly retractile.

Column destitute of suckers

Column fumished with suckers

Column clothed with a rough ei^idermis . . .

Disk imperfectly retractile.

Base annular ; parasitic on shells

Base entire ; not parasitic

Tentacles mere warts ; set m radiating bands {Not
British) ...

Actinolola.

Sagartia.

Phellia.

Adamsia.

Gregoria.

Biscosoma.

11

GENUS I. ACTINOLOBA (Blainv.).

Actinia (Linn.).

Cribrina (Ehrenberg).

Sayartia (Gosse).

Base considerably broader than the column ; its
outline often undulate, but entire.

Column pillar-like, in the expanded state ; the
margin forming a thickened parapet, or low wall,
separated from the tentacular disk by a groove or
fosse. Surface perfectly smooth, without suckers,
but pierced with loop-holes. Substance approaching
to pulpy.

Bisk deeply frilled at the margin ; thinly mem-
branous.

Tentacles short, slender, not arranged in distin-
guishable circles, scattered at their commencement
about half-breadth, of the disk, becoming gradually
smaller, more numerous and densely crowded as they
approach the border.

Mouth surrounded with a thick lip ; furnished with
only a single gonidial groove, surmounted by a single
pair of tubercles.

Acontia emitted somewhat reluctantly, but copi-
ously upon occasion.

Only one British species.

AST ACE A.

SAGARTIADiE.

THE PLUMOSE ANEMONE.

Actinoloba dianthus.

Plate I. Fig. 1.

Specific Character. Body smootli, columnar when distended ; five inches
and upwards in height : mouth strongly furrowed, rufous ; tentacles
marked with a ring of white.

Actinia dianthus.

senilis.

judaica.

pentapetala.

plumosa.

aurantiaca.
Actinoloba dianthus.
Sagartia dianthus.

Ellis, Phil. Trans. Ivii. 436; tab. xix. fig. 8.
Johnston, Br. Zooph. Ed. 2. i. 232; pl.xliii.
Daltell, Anim. of Scothmd, 235 ; pi. xlviii.
figs. 6. 7 ; xlix. Gosse, Aquarium, Ed. 2.
182 ; pi. V. Tugwell, Manual of Sea Ane-
mones, 56 ; pi. i.

Linn. Syst. Nat. 1089.

Ibid. Syst. Nat. 1088.

Penn. Br. Zool. iv. 104.

Muller, Zool. Dan. iii. 12 ; tab. Ixxxviii. ;
figs. 1, 2.

JoRD.^N, Annals. N. H. Ser. II. vol. xv, 85. {juv.)-
Blainville, Actinologie, 322.

Gosse, Man. Marine Zool. i. 28.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to shells and stones ; expanded considerably beyond
the diameter of the column.

Column. Smooth, lubricated profusely with mucus; destitute of suckers,
warts, wrinkles, furrows, and corrugation.s. Substance fleshy, approaching
to pulpy. Form cylindrical, terminating in a simple thickened pai'apet,
which is separated from the outer tentacles by a fosse.

Disk. Widely expanded, thin, greatly overhanging the column, deeply
frilled.

Tentacles. Exceedingly numerous, moderately large and scattered at
about the middle of the semi-diameter of the disk, but becoming smaller
and closer outward, until they are excessively crowded, and very minute
at the margin. In extreme youth they are comparatively few, and much
longer in proportion.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone ; lip thick, divided into lobes by strongly
marked furrows. A single groove only at one of the mouth-angles, guarded
by a pair of tubercles.

PL^TK

<T>

00

ACTINOLOBA DIANTHUS 3 SACARTIA TROGLODYTES 7 SACARTIA VENUSTA.

SACARTIABELLIS 456 S H03EA 8 9 qpuivPnrirTA

THE PLUMOSE ANEMONE.

13

Colook.

Column. Olive, olive brown, umber-brown, red-lead, pale-orange, salmon-
red, flesh-colour, cream-white, pure white. [“ Lemon-yellow,” “ peach-
blossom.” — Dalye ll. ]

Disk. Agrees with the column.

Tentacles. Generally agree with the column, but in the olive and brown
varieties, they are sometimes almost wholly pellucid-white, and in all cases
they are marked with a single transverse bar of white, near their middle ;
most conspicuous in youth.

lAp. Always rufous, or orange-red ; whatever the hue of the body.

Size.

Specimens occasionally attain six inches in height, and three in thickness.

Locality.

All round the coasts of Europe, in deep water, and on dark rocks
between tide-marks.

Varieties.

These might be made as numerous as the various shades of colour above-
mentioned ; but for practical purposes it may be sufficient to distinguish
the following : —

a. Brunnea. Including the shades of brown, from dingy blackish olive,
to warm umber, or fawn-colour. Sometimes, as in examples that have
fallen under my own observation, the tentacles, in these brown specimens,
are almost white, marked with the more opaque white bar. There is not
the slightest reason to assign these, as has been suggested, to another
species.

j8. Ruhida. The various tints of red, from the full minium-scarlet to the
peach-blossom and flesh-colour, may be classed under this variety, w'hich
is perhaps the most abundant of all.

7. Flava. Sir John Dulyell enumerates “ lemon-yellow ” among the hues
of this species ; but it must be a very rare variety. I have never seen it.

5. Sindonea. Perhaps this is the most elegant variety ; the animal being
clad in translucent white — “ simplex munditiis," as if arrayed in the finest
Goan vestments. It is not uncommon.

This noblest of our native Sea-anemones seems to be
entitled to generic separation from the Sagartice, with
which I have hitherto associated it. Its form and habit,
its puckered disk, its crowded and fringe-like tentacles, its
thickened parapet and deep fosse, and the presence of only

14

SAGARTIADJ2.

a single mouth-groove, are well-marked characters peculiar
to it among our British species. This last peculiarity
isolates the species from every other with which I am
acquainted.

The generic appellation Actinoloha, I have adopted from
De Blainville, who formed the genus in his “ Actinologie”
(1834). It is sufficiently expressive ; hut ohjectionable on
account of its construction. It is a good canon that no
generic name ought to form a part of a second generic
name. In this case the word is constructed out of Actinia^
and Xo/3o<;, a lobe or flap : it means, therefore, “ the lobed
Actinia.” If it had been formed of the element a/crtV,
a ray, the construction would have been unobjectionable,
though the word would have been false in signification ; for
what the French zoologist wished to express was “ a lobed
Actinia,” not “ a creatiu-e with lobed rays (= tentacles).”

The specific name, dianthus^ is due to a pretty fancy of
Ellis, the father of English Zoophytology. Observing the
resemblance which the Actinice, bore to composite or many-
petaled flowers, — a resemblance which is perpetuated in
the popular appellation. Sea- Anemones, — he named such as
were known to him after those lovely objects ; helUs^ the
daisy ; mesemhryanthemum, the fig-marigold ; dianthus, the
pink. I do not know that we are to seek for special
resemblances to the particular flowers chosen ; one q)oly-
petalous flower might have served as well as another : still
less shall we find any etymological significance in the
appropriation. For the latter we must go back to the
flower. In the present case, the pink and carnation genus
is named dianthus, some say, for its great beauty (8409,
divine, dv0o<;, flower^ ; but it may be from its tendency to
become double [81, the sign of duplication, SLavd})<i, having
full or double floivers) : the lexicons moreover give Scavdeco
(from Std), to bloom.

THE PLUMOSE ANEMONE.

lo

Muller has called dianthics the most beautiful of all the
Anemones, — Actiniarum pulcJierrima and his verdict
is surely correct, so far as it refers to European species.
When we see a full-grown specimen of some of the more
delicately coloured varieties, — the pale orange, the flesh-
coloured, or the clear white, — rising erect from its broad
base like the stem of a massive tree, crowned with its
expansive disk of myriad tentacles, we cannot but consider
it a most noble, as well as a most lovely object. It is only
in expansion that it is beautiful. The button will some-
times shrink down to an abject flatness, scarcely more
than an eighth of an inch in height in the centre, the cir-
cumference spread out on every side to cover an irregularly
outlined area of some five or six inches in diameter, but
no thicker than a card. In this condition it is almost a
repulsive object, but, perhaps in a quarter of an hour, you
look at it again, and the change seems magical. The
animal has risen, and swollen, and distended its body
with clear water, till the tissues appear plump, and almost
transparent ; it now forms a noble massive column, some
five inches high, and three thick, from which the delicate
frilled disk expands, and arches over on every side, like
the foliated crown of a palm tree. Then again, on some
cause of alarm, real or supposed, it will suddenly draw
in its beautiful array of frills, contract around them its
parapet, and assume a distended bladder-like figure, with
the clustering tentacles just protruding from the slightly
open aperture.

It is under the veil of night that the Anemones in
general expand most readily and fully. While the glare
of day is upon them, they are often chary of displaying
their blossomed beauties ; but an hour of darkness will
often suffice to overcome the reluctance of the coyest.
The species before us is not particularly shy ; it may often

16

SAGARTIADtE.

be seen opened to the full in broad daylight ; but if you
would make sure of seeing it in all the gorgeousness of its
magnificent bloom, visit your tank with a candle an hour
or two after nightfall.

The membranous disk appears to be truly circular in
outline, but so fully frilled that it is impossible to expand
it on a plane. There are commonly from five to eight
broad and deep involutions, which are sometimes simple,
sometimes compound ; in the latter case forming a semi-
globular head of close slender tentacles, almost furry in
character.

Mr. W. A. Lloyd has favoured me with the following
note, on a tentacular peculiarity in this species : —

“ In a marine tank belonging to a customer of mine,
there is an Acf. dianthus having one single long slender
tentacle, high overarching the great fleecy mass of ordinary
tentacles, and acting independently of them, very different
from anything I have ever before seen in this species, and
similar to. the one solitary tentacle sometimes present in
A. hellis."

When very young, neither the frilled involution of the
disk, nor the smallness of the tentacles, nor their crowded
condition, is characteristic of the species. It is then very
likely to be mistaken by an inexperienced observer for
another form, or to be described as new. Professor Jordan
has, I feel sm*e, fallen into this very excusable error ; for
the specimens which he has described* under the name of
Actinia aurantiaca were certainly none other than infant
dianthnses. Their size, — about half-an-inch high ; their
hue, — orange or almost salmon-colour; their tentacles, — of
a greyer tint, with a whitish bar ; their locality, — the
under surface of an inclined mass of rock ; their numbers, —

• In the Annals of Nat. Hist, for Feb. 1855

THE PLUMOSE ANEMONE.

17

many of the same size associated together ; their habit, —
hanging pendent from the midst of the acorn-shells and
sponges, “like a rain-drop ready to fall;” — all agree
exactly with the young of clianthus. My friend, in a
private letter, tells me, moreover, that he is certain they
were immature, from the length of the tentacles ; and that
his brother suspected them to be the young of dianthus,
because he found old dianthus at the same spot. There
can be no doubt that Mr. Charles Jordan is right.

A very heterodox notion seems to have obtained cur-
rency, that this species differs from other Actinice, in that it
is incapable of altering its place, when once it has selected
it. Dr. Johnston says, — and his statement is the more
surprising since he had seen “ several hundreds of indivi-
duals,”— “ As A. dianthus is permanently attached
and cannot be removed without organic injury to the base,
it has some claim to be made the type of a genus.” (Brit.
Zooph. p. 234). If this were correct, the claim (which I
have allowed on other grounds) would indeed be well
founded ; but the statement is erroneous. Sir John Dalyell,
again, while allowing that dianthus shifts its position spon-
taneously, affirms that it cannot be compelled to do so with
impunity. In illustration of this assertion he mentions the
case of a very large one, which was attached to a stone too
wide to be put into any of his vessels. In this emergency
he reversed the stone, laying it across the top of a jar, so
that the Anemone should hang suspended in the sea-water.
He had hoped that the animal would voluntarily quit its
hold, and descend into the jar, but it did not ; and, after
stretching itself for some days, it ruptured its body across
the centre, apparently by its own weight, and died.*

Notwithstanding these excellent authorities, however, I

* Rare and Rem. Auim. of Scotl., 235.
C

18

SAGAETIAD^.

can unhesitatingly affirm, both that the species travels as
freely as any in captivity, and that it may be removed from
its attachment with the utmost ease and impunity. In “ The
Aquarium” (p. 192) I had given evidence of both these
facts, and experience has since confirmed them in number-
less instances. Instead of repeating my own observations,
however, I will fortify them with the authority of my friend
Mr. Merriman, of Bridgnorth, who has favoured me with
the following remarks on this subject : —

“ Dr. Johnston’s statement is not confirmed by my

experience any more than yours. I have a very fine speci-
men of dianthm, which persisted in crawling up the side of
my glass, — a circular one, — until part of its disk was actu-
ally above ‘ high-water level.’ A few days ago it became
necessary to empty my glass. Accordingly I drew off the
water, and the dianthus hung in the most disconsolate way,
looking very like an old wet kid-glove. Finding I could
not finish my operation without entirely removing him, I
worked him off with the back of my nail. Of course, at the
first rude touch on his base, he shrank up into a ball, in
which shape he continued, when I dropped him into some
water to remain until I could restore him to his own home.
While here he became quite like a ball of cotton, so many
were the nettling-threads that he threw out on all sides.
In two hours’ time I put him back into the glass, having
taken the precaution to place a bit of slate upright behind
him, that I might not have the same difficulty again. In
less than six hours he had stuck as firmly to the slate as he
had previously done to the glass, and he has continued
most magnificent ever since.”

In spite of Sir John'Dalyell’s assertion, that this species
is “ less hardy than most,” the fuller aquarian experience of
the present day enables us to affirm that no British species
is more readily preserved in confinement than dianthus.

THE PLUMOSE ANEMONE.

19

There are probably thousands of specimens of this fine
Anemone now living in the aquariums of Great Britain and
Ireland ; and a large number of these have been several
years in captivity. They continue to live and flourish,
expanding and erecting themselves with the greatest free-
dom ; nor do they seem at all affected by the turbidity of
the water, provided it be free from impurity. I have had
some specimens of rather large size continue for many
months in water so loaded with green Alga spores as to be
almost opaque, yet diu-ing the whole period they appeared
perfectly at ease, and even increased their number by
fissiparous division. It is the frequent habit of the species
to crawl up the perpendicular side of the tank which it
inhabits, till it reaches the water’s edge, a situation which
seems particularly grateful to it ; for there it remains from
week to week, daily (or rather nightly) projecting its
columnar form in a horizontal direction, at the very surface,
and then expanding its beautiful frills, so that the air
bathes a part both of its body and its tentacles.

I have never seen this Anemone increase its kind by
proper generation, that is, by the discharge of ova, or of
young. But no species more freely increases by sponta-
neous division. When a large individual has been a good
while adherent to one spot, and at length chooses to change
its quarters, it does so by causing its base to glide slowly
along the surface on which it rests ; — the glass side of the
tank, for instance. But it frequently happens that small
irregular fragments of the edge of the base are left behind,
as if their adhesion had been so strong, that the animal
found it easier to tear its own tissues apart than to over-
come it. The fragments so left soon contract, become
smooth, and spherical or oval in outline, and in tlie course
of a week or fortnight may be seen each furnished with a
margin of tentacles and a disk — transformed, in fact, into

c 2

20

SAGARTIAD^.

perfect though minute Anemones. Occasionally a separated
piece, more irregularly jagged than usual, will, in contract-
ing, constringe itself, and form two smaller fragments,
united by an isthmus, which goes on attenuating until
a fine thread-like line only is stretched from one to the
other ; this at length yields, the substance of the broken
thread is rapidly absorbed into the respective pieces, which
soon become two young dianthuses.

It is to this tendency to spontaneous division that I
would attribute the frequent occurrence in this species of
monstrosity, such as two disks uniting into a single column.
This is very common. Dr. Johnston supposes that such
cases are produced by the coalescence of two individuals
which happened to be in contact, and he accounts for its
frequency by the gregarious habit of the species.* The
possibility of two individuals thus uniting, remains, how-
ever, to be proved ; while the fissiparous habit, which is
patent, is quite sufficient to produce the phenomenon.

I have been informed of a case, in which a young one
was produced by gemmation from the base of the adult,
without previous separation of the fragment.

When erect, and fully distended with water, the integu-
ments and tissues become translucent, and, in parts, even
transparent. In this condition, when favourably placed, —
as when in front of a window, or with a candle just behind
it, — an excellent opportunity is afforded of examining the
internal arrangement of the organs, free from the confusion
which the excessive contraction consequent upon dissection
induces. The septa are seen stretching away into the general
cavity, and the acontia lying in many coils along the inter-
septs ; while ever and anon a minute coiled fragment, torn
from some acontium, is seen driven to and fro along the

* Br. Zoopli. 2nd Ed., 233.

THE PLUMOSE ANEMONE.

21

intersepts, by the action of tlie cilia with which the inte-
rior membranes are covered. Occasionally, such a spiral
fragment is driven into the interior of a tentacle, which is
indeed but a continuation of the interseptal chambers — and
here it is hurled to and fro in the ciliary currents, now
shooting forward to the tip, then slowly retrograding, then
again whirled towards the tip, Avhich it appears to make the
most strenuous efforts to reach ; the combination of the
twofold ciliary action, — that which is dependent on the cilia
that line the interior of the tentacle, and that which results
from its own richly ciliated surface, — imparting a vacilla-
tion and ever- varying impetus to its movements that may
easily be mistaken for independent life. I have myself
fallen into this error.*

The proper habitat of dianilms is the coralline zone.
The trawlers in AVest Bay and Torbay bring up populous
colonies from a depth of twenty fathoms. In AVey mouth
Bay it is specially abundant ; and yet this apparent pre-
eminence may be rather due to the fact that this celebrated
locality lias been so perseveringly dredged. Be it so or not,
I can testify to the profusion with which the bottom of this
bay, from the deep sea of the offing to three fathoms or less,
is stocked with this fine Anemone. The oyster and scallop-
banks of Portland and Brixham are favourite haunts. It
is the habit of the species to live in society ; and both the
dredge and the trawl are constantly bringing to light
clustered groups, as well as single individuals. Family
groups are sometimes very numerous, as many as twenty
being not uncommonly crowded on a single oyster-shell, f

* Devonsh. Coast, 116.

t Dr. Battersby informs me that, in the summer of 1856, one of the
trawlers brought into Torquay a water-logged board, about two feet long
by one broad, on which were crowded between four and five hundred
specimens of A. dianthus, of all sizes, but a considerable proportion of
them large. What was curious was, that all on one side the board were
white, all on the other orange.

22

sagaetiadj:.

Of course, in so limited a space, a large proportion of this
number must consist of small individuals ; and specimens in
several gradations of development may often be observed,
suggestive of as many generations, from the gigantic fore-
father of the family to the tiny great-grandchildren that
crowd around his foot, no larger than split peas. From the
fissiparous tendency above noticed, it is probable that these
multiplications are but essential parts of one individual, not
his descendants ; analogous to the multiplication of a plant
by cuttings as distinguished from that by seeds. There is
no real process of generation in either case. What confirms
my suspicion, that such is the true explanation of these
congregated groups of dianthts, is the fact that, in general,
all the members of each colony are of the same variety of
colour. Now and then, however, we do see in the cluster a
specimen of quite a difierent hue, as, for example, a dark
olive one in the midst of a flesh-coloured group. In this
case we must presume that there has been the deposition of
a real germ, — the product of a really generative function —
either from one of the individuals already settled there, or
from some stranger. Flat stones, but more commonly
large bivalve shells, such as oysters, pectens, and pinnm,
are the sites usually selected for the colonies of dianthus.

But though the floor of the sea is the proper home of the
species, it is found, in certain favom-able localities, to con-
gregate in great numbers within tide marks. Where a
breadth of semi-cavernous rock, honeycombed by mollusks,
and studded with Alcyonia, Tunicata and Sponges, darkly
overhangs a tide-pool, as around Petit Tor, and in the
caves of Tenby and Lidstep ; or where an immense boulder
has so fallen upon others as to present a broad under-sur-
face to the flowing tide ; I have seen scores on scores of
dianthuses hanging, dank and flaccid, from the rock, each
with a globule of crystal water, suspended like a dew-drop

THE PLUMOSE ANEMONE.

23

from its drooping head. In general these are young indi-
viduals : I have never met with one between tide-marks,
that exceeded an inch in diameter when contracted. What
becomes of them as they attain riper years I do not know ;
I can only conjecture that they may retire, during the flow
of the tide, to a more genial seclusion at a tideless depth.
Mr. Peach tells me that he finds the species in pools be-
tween tide-marks at Peterhead ; — “ hundreds I have seen,
some white and others brilliant red, side by side in the
same pool.” The same excellent observer assures me that
he has obtained it four inches in height between tide-marks
in that vicinity.

The following list of British localities will show the
general distribution of this species.

Peterhead, Keith Inch (plentiful), 0. W. Peach : Frith
of Forth, Sir J. G. Daly ell: Berwick Bay, Dr. G. John-
ston : Northumberland and Durham, J. Alder : Scar-
borough, Filey, F. H. West: Sandgate (rare), E. L. Wil-
liams: Guernsey, E. W. H. Holdsworth: Plymouth, C.
Spence Bate: Selsey, Bognor, G. Gatehouse: Weymouth
Bay, P. JT. Gosse : Teignmouth (young), P. C. Jordan:
Torquay (young) ; Torbay, P. H. G. : Dartmouth, and up
the Dart as far as Dittisham, E. W. H. H.: Falmouth,
W. P. Cocks: Lundy, Morte, Bev. G. Tugioell: Tenby,
P. H. G. : Liverpool (under the pontoons of the landing-
stage), F. H. W. : Mersey Estuary, Hilbre Island, E. L. W.:
Morecambe Bay, F. 11. W. : Clyde, near Glasgow (at low
ebbs). Miss Anne Church : Cumbrae, Rev. D. Landsho-
rough: Belfast and Strangford Loughs, Dublin Bay, Dr.
E. P. Wright.^

* Most of the above references rest on the authority of private commu-
nications made to me by friends; whose names, having been once given
at length, I shall thenceforward cite by their initials.

24

SAGARTIAD^.

* Perhaps the most magnificent Actinia known is A. Pau-
motensis, described and figured in Dana’s “ Zoophytes.” It
was found at the Isle of Raraka, in the Pauniotu group, by
the naturalists attached to the American Exploring Expe-
dition. It is twelve inches in diameter of disk, which is
deeply frilled.

A. reticulata, from Terra del Fuego, is another fine and
richly coloured species ; with a frilled disk, and tentacles
very numerous and fringe-like. Both these must doubtless
be assigned to the genus Actinoloba.

A. Achates, a species dredged by the same Expedition, in
thirty fathoms, on the east coast of Patagonia, has the
frilled character of dianthus, with but three rows of ten-
tacles, which are not specially crowded. It is evidently
intermediate between dianthus and hellis ; but further
examination is necessary to determine to which genus it
rightly belongs.

I may, however, venture to exhibit the affinities of our
Anemone in the following gradation ; distinguishing exotic
species by [ ] ; —

[Paumotensis.]

[reticulata.]

DIANTHUS.

[Achates.]

bellis.

25

GENUS 11. SAGARTIA (Gosse).

Actinia (Linn.).

Cribnna (Eurenb.).

Actinocereus (Blainv.).

Base broader than the column ; its outline often
undulate, but entire.

Column in the expanded state pillar-like, sometimes
low and thick, sometimes tall and slender ; the
margin notched or tentaculate, without parapet or
fosse. Surface studded with suckers, which do not
form permanent warts ; pierced with loopholes. Sub-
stance fleshy, or pulpy.

Dish sometimes wavy ; more commonly plane, some-
times slightly turned-over at the edge.

Tentacles varying in number, form, and arrangement
in the different species.

Mouth generally elevated on a more or less con-
spicuous cone; furnished with two gonidial grooves,
each with its pair of turbercles.

Acontia emitted freely and copiously.

NATURAL ORDER OF THE BRITISH SPECIES.

1. bellis.

t. mvea.

2. miniata.

3. rosea.

8. sphyrodeta.

9. pallida.

4. ornata.

5. ickthystoma.

6. veniista.

10. troylodytcs.

11. viduafa.

12. parasitica.

26

ARTIFICIAL ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIES.

Body salver-shaped ; disk strongly waved hellis.

Body of the usual form; disk nearly plane : —

Tentacles without markings : —

Disk and tentacles white nivea.

Disk orange ; tentacles white venusta.

Tentacles with characteristic marks : —

With a B-like mark at the foot troglodytes.

A broad black bar above a narrow one at the foot : —

Outer tentacles scarlet ininiata.

All the tentacles rose-purple rosea.

Two broad black bars at the foot ornata.

Two narrow black bars at the foot ichlhystoma.

A dark line down each side : —

The lines unbroken viduata.

The lines broken into several fragments .... parasitica.
Tentacle foot enclosed —

Within a purple circle spkyrodeta.

Within two imconnected purple curved lines . . . pallida.

AUTRAiACEA.

SAGARTIADJi.

THE DAISY ANEMONE.

Sagartia hellis.

Plate I. Fig. 2.

Specific Character. — Body salver-shaped, the disk forming a shallow cir-
cular cup, often wavy at the margin, of which the column is the foot.
Tentacles small, numerous, in six rows, the outer ones mere crenations of
the margin.

Actinia bellis.

pedunculata.

Templetonii.

Actinocereus pedunculata.
Crihrina hellis.

Sagartia bellis.

Ellis and Solander, Zooph. 2. J ohnston,
Br. Zooph. Ed. 2. i. 228; pi. xlii. figs. 1*,
3 — 6. Gosse, Devonsh. Coast, 25; pi. i.
figs. 1, 2.

Pennant, Br. Zool. iv. 102.

Cocks, Rep. Coi’nw. Polyt. Soc. 1851. 8,
pi. ii. figs. 10, 14.

Blainv., Diet. Sci. Nat. 1830; lx. 194.
Ehrenb., Corall. 41.

Gosse, Linn. Trans, xxi. 274 : Man. Mar.
Zool. i. 28 ; fig. 41.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Rase. Adherent to rocks; expanded considerably beyond the diameter
of the column ; the outline often undulate.

Column. Smooth on the lower half, on the upper studded with suckers,
to which in freedom are often firmly attached minute fragments of shell,
gravel, &c. ; generally without wrinkles, furrows, or corrugations ; but
occasionally invected. Substance firmly fleshy. Form exceedingly variable,
sometimes being thick and low, nearly equalling the disk in diameter ;
but, when expanded to the utmost, the column generally takes the form
of a comparatively slender, lengthened, and perfeetly cylindrical footstalk,
abruptly expanding to a great cu’cle, the margin of which is cut into
minute notches which form the outermost row of tentacles.

Disk. In the condition just mentioned, this is a broad horizontal plate,
or a slightly concave saucer, of which the rim is perfectly circular, though
this form is often disguised by its being thrown into undulations, some-
times approaching to frillings.

Tentacles. Small, but numerous, arranged in about six rows ; the first
and second series containing about twelve each, the third about twice

28

SAGAETIAD^,

as many ; the fourth again doubled ; the fifth increasing in about the
same proportion; and the sixth including about thrice as many as the
fifth. Thus the total number may be about five hundred. Those of the
first row usually stand erect, the others decline more and more as they
recede, until the last two or three rows lie quite horizontally on the disk,
to which the sixth row forms an exquisite fringe. Those of the first row
rarely exceed one-fourth of an inch in height, and the others diminish
regularly ; those of the sixth are very minute ; the longest (for they are
not equal) scarcely exceeding the sixteenth of an inch in length, and some
being mere tubercles ; these are slender, and set so close together, th.at
sixty are contained within an inch. Those of the inner rows are usually
marked with a depressed line or groove, down the middle of the front.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone. Lip moderately thin, finely furrowed.

Colour.

Column. Lower part flesh-colour, often flushing into pink; gradually
paling upward to white, drab, or buff in the middle part : this as gradually
becoming dull violet on the upper third, where the suckers usually are
conspicuous as pale spots.

Disk. Dark brown or black, the radii separated by fine lines of rich
vermilion, commencing at the mouth, and diverging till they meet the
tentacles, passing a little way up the sides of each.

Tentacles. Yellowish-brown, studded with whitish specks, and varied
with white or grey patches. There is commonly a dark-brown space near
the base, bounded, above and below, by a band of pure white. Frequently
groups of tentacles thus mottled alternate with equal groups of uniformly
dull-brown ones; the regions of the discal border from which they re-
spectively spring, corresponding in some measure, being either brown or
lavender- grey. In many specimens a single tentacle, or sometimes two
opposite ones, of the first series, are rather larger than the rest, and of an
unspotted cream-white ; when these occur, it is generally in connexion
with one or two white gonidied radii. In other specimens there is no
trace of such a distinction.

Mouth. Lip and throat white.*

* The student will please to observe that the specific description is the
description of but one condition, or variety. It is convenient to have a
starting-point or standard of comparison, but it must not be supposed that
this particular condition is the one proper to the species, and that the other

THE DAISY ANEMONE.

29

Size.

The average diameter of the disk is about one inch and a half ; but large
specimens attain a breadth of two inches. The height is dependent on the
depth of the hole which they inhabit ; in general it is about an inch, but
sometimes it is as much as three inches, the column in this case being
about three-eighths of an inch in thickness.

Locality.

The south and west coasts of England and Ireland, abundant ; almost
unknown in Scotland. Crevices, and holes in rock, chiefly in tide-pools.

Varieties.

o. Tyriensis. The condition described above, which is perhaps the most
common ; at least on our south-western coasts.

Versicolor. Disk dull yellowish-grey, with radiating broad bands of
black ; tentacular border alternately pale blue and dull black. One large
tentacle of first row pellucid horn-brown ; the rest dark grey, or white, in
alternate groups. Column rose- pink on lower half, purple-grey on upper.
Thus there are seven distinct colours in this variety, which yet is not at all
showy.

7. Ehurnea. Disk ivory-white (Tugwell).

5. Modesta. Disk deep umber-brown, mottled with grey at the first row
of tentacles, and merging into grey, lavender, or white, towards the third
or fourth row. Tentacles mottled with brown and grey.

e. Sordida. Column dull wainscot-yellow, paler at the basal region.
Disk blackish-brown, freckled with grey and white spots. Tentacles
similarly coloured. General form thick and clumsy, without the usual
tendency to assume a salver-shape.

“ varieties ” are deviations from it. Those which I name versicolor or
modesia, for example, might as well have been selected for the standard as
Tyriensis. Indeed the only true idea of the species must include all its
variations.

“ We may attempt,” observes a master in science, " to reach w'hat is
called the typical form of a species, in order to make this the subject of a
conception. But even within the closest range of what may be taken as
typical characters, there are still variables ; and, moieover, no one form,
typical though we consider it, can be a full expression of the species, so
long as variables are as much an essential part of its idea as constants.
The advantage of fixing upon some one variety as the typic.al form of a
species is this, — that the mind may have an initial term for the laws
embraced under the idea of the species, or an assumed centre of radiation
for its variant series, so as more easily to com.prehend those laws.” —
(Dana’s “ Thoughts on Species.”)

30

SAGARTIAD.E.

Stellata. Disk pale buff ; a broad darker circle at the commencement
of the tentacular border. Tentacles long and pointed ; very pale stone-
drab, each varied with pellucid patches, which give a pretty and delicate
effect. But what is most peculiar is the alternate depression and elevation
of the margin, a kind of frilling, which imparts to the disk a star-like form,
usually of seven rays. This is a large and well-marked variety.

The genus Sagartia was established by me in a Memoir*
read before the Linnean Society, March 20th, 1855. I then
included in it dianthus, as well as the species to whieh I
now confine it. The eharaeter on which I mainly relied
in eonstituting it, appears to me, on maturer consideration,
to mark a group of higher value than that of a genus ; and
I have accordingly used it to characterise a family. Hence
it became necessary to make a fresh diagnosis of the genus,
which, though large, appears a very natural one. The
name I have chosen alludes to the peculiar mode of dis-
abling their prey, by means of missile cords, which is
possessed pre-eminently by the species of this group, re-
calling to my mind a graphic passage in the writings of
the Father of History. In the army of Xerxes, he says, —
“ there was a certain race called Sagartians. The mode of
fighting practised by these men was this : — when they
engaged an enemy, they threw out a rope with a noose at
the end ; whatever any one caught, whether horse or man,
he dragged towards himself, and those that were entangled
in the coils were speedily put to death.” f

The specific appellation of the present subject is the
botanic name of a favourite flower, — the modest Daisy ; —
helUs, from hellus, liretty.

Though the Daisy Anemone is,^as I have shown, subject
to considerable variety, and has no one very strongly

* “ Description of Peachia liastata, &c.” Linn. Tmns. xxi. 267.
t Herodotus, vii. 85.

THE DAISY ANEMONE.

31

marked, and at the same time constant, specific character,
there is scarcely any of oiu: species more readily or more
certainly recognisable. Its variations are circumscribed
•within appreciable limits, both of coloiu* and form, and it
has little tendency to merge into the characteristic con-
dition of any other (British) species. Indeed, but for the
needless multiplication of genera, I should be tempted to
separate it from the other Sagartice, constituting for it, in
association with two or three closely allied forms from the
southern hemisphere, a distinct genus.

From the elegance of its form, and its ready power of
accommodating itself to captivity, few of our native species
are more favourite tenants of an aquarium than this. Its
habits, too, render it easily accessible. Within the limited
range of its habitat it is for the most part abundant. The
rugged, indented, rocky shores of Devon and CornAvall
seem to be the metropolis of the species : and here the
tide-pools, fissures, and honeycomb-like burrows of the
Saxicavce, are densely crowded with the pretty Daisy.

The broad front of Capstone Hill, at Ilfracombe, is
broken, Avithin the range of the tides, into a succession of
narrow horizontal shelves, the angles of which run down
into long fissures. The limestone promontory, known as
Petit Tor, on the south-east coast of Devon, presents many
ledges very similar in character, but more eroded into irre-
gular holes and cavities. In both of these localities, hellis
abounds, generally of the beautiful scarlet-lined variety,
Tyriensis. Each usually occupies a little hollow, being
attached by its base to the bottom, and expanding its
beautiful disk over the edge. In the broader basins,
moreover, which the waves have worn,

“ hollows of the tide-wora reef,”

overshadowed by ribbon-shaped sea-weeds, — which are the
very counterparts, in the sea, of the hart.’s-tongue _fern

32

SAGARTIAD^.

fronds which overarch the green hedge-hanks just above,— •
larger and finer -specimens oeeur, apparently each broad
coin-like disk stuek on to the smooth wall of the cavity,
but really, as you find when you attempt to eaptm'e it,
imbedded in its own proper cranny, into which it can
retire out of danger.

But it is as common to find colonies of the species,
inhabiting the long narrow fissures, covered with but an
inch or two of water when the tide is out ; five, ten, el-
even twenty individuals crowded together in a line as close
as their bases, firmly planted side by side, will admit.
Here, of course, when expanded, the puekered edges of
each disk press upon and fit into the mutual irregularities
of the others ; and the effeet is very attractive, when the
variety is that patched one, pale blue and blaek, whieh
I have named versicolor.

I have mueh admired them in this eondition along the
foot of the lofty overhanging elifis at Watcombe, between
Teignmouth and Torquay. Huge masses of the red eon-
glomerate have fallen from above, and are piled in eon-
fusion along the whole sea-line. And these seem to have
formed a natural breakwater, protecting the base of the
cliff from the action of the waves. Hence the lower part
of the rock remains in situ, while all the upper and middle
portions have been detached by the influence of rains and
frosts, and have fallen ; and this lower part forms a suc-
cession of sloping terraees, averaging perhaps some twenty
feet above low-water mark. Each successive terrace dips
to the northward at a very gentle angle with the horizon,
so that the explorer has to mount from one to another in
turn, while he pursues the line of eoast, as each slope
sueeessively brings him to the water’s edge. These ter-
raees are very rough, but not unpleasant to walk upon ;
and their angles are occupied with water, forming long

THE DAISY ANEMONE.

33

narrow shallow pools, the bottoms of which run down into
thin crevices. In these crevices reside the Daisies in
question, in great numbers, and some of them of very large
dimensions, as three inches in diameter, when fully ex-
panded. They are, however, as I have said above, mostly
so crowded together, that they are not able to spread their
blossom-disks fully, but are fain to accommodate each
other, by allowing the protrusions of one sinuous and frilled
margin to fit into the recesses of another. They thus con-
stitute lines of variegated frills, in which the individuals
cannot be separated by the eye of the beholder ; and though
no brilliant hues appear, there is sufficient contrast between
the black and the white, the blue and the grey, all
puckered and convoluted as the fringed outlines are, to
•gratify the eye.

Nor are these very difficult of possession. For the con-
glomerate, though hard, yields readily to the chisel, and
the edges of the crevices present in many cases fair angles
for the blows of the experienced collector.

The Daisy is not unfrequently brought up in the dredge
from a few fathoms’ depth. In Weymouth Bay I have
repeatedly obtained it thus, but still maintaining its wonted
troglodyte habit; for its favourite domicile is one of the
deep angular chambers formed by the leafy expansions of
that fine coral-like Polyzoan, Eschara foliacea.

But Weymouth possesses a breed of the species which
deviates much more widely from the normal habit. It is
the variety which I have called sorclida, having an eye not
less to its filthy dwelling-place than to its dirty colour.
•The broad expanse of fetid mud, either wholly bare at
low tide, or covered only with a foot or two of water, that
floors the two inlets called the Fleet and the Backwater,
is studded with multitudes of these dingy Anemones.
The soft slimy mud affords no proper surface for adhesion ;

D

f

34

SAGAETIAD^.

and hence the animals can scarcely he said to adhere in the
manner of the family, hut simply to rest on the hroad
hase. This is not, however, indicative of any defect in
the power of adhesion ; for on being removed to a hasin
of sea-water, they are soon found firmly attached to the
bottom and sides.

With these exceptions I have not found ielhs at Wey-
mouth ; which is the more remarkable since the long ledges
of low rock, broken into fissures, and excavated into num-
berless hollows, would seem to present a favourable site for
it. But since my residence there, it has yielded, in con-
siderable abundance, the beautiful variety stellata ; which,
as I understand, occurs to the north-east of the town.

In Dr. Johnston’s Brit. Zooph. (p. 231) may be found
some curious figures by Mr. Cocks, illustrative of the pro-
tean mutability of shape manifested by this species. This
depends on the power of distending the body generally
with water, together with that of strongly constringiug
some part, the constriction ever moving its place.

Several of the Sagartia (as S. hellis, miniata, and
troglodytes) have a singular habit of elongating to an im-
mense extent one of the tentacles, while all the rest remain
in the ordinary condition. The phenomenon has once or
twice fallen under my own observation, but I will describe
it in the words of some of my kind correspondents, who
have from time to time directed my attention to it.

It seems to have been first noticed in S. troglodytes by
Mr. Hugh Owen of Bristol, who, in May, 18.56, mentioned
the fact in a letter to me. Soon afterwards he observed the
same phenomenon in “ a loosely-formed hellis, with longer
tentamla than usual, found in a cave at Tenby.” “I was, a
few days since,” he writes, “ watching it closely, wdien one
tentacle began to extend itself ; and for an hour I watched
its motions. The animal is about an inch and a half in

TUE DAISY ANEMONE.

35

extreme diameter, and it tlirew out its tentacle to a dis-
tance of three inches from tlie margin. Of course all colour
disappears, and it requires one to Lc looking for the fact
to observe the transparent membranous nature of the ex-
tended limb. I tried if its object was seeking for food, by
dropping a scrap of meat in the way of the tentacle : it was
seized and carried to the oral disk instantly.”

The same gentleman in a subsequent letter (dated 7th
July, 1856) thus continues his observations: — “Another
specimen of hellis, from Ilfracombe, of a dark self-colour
(chocolate or umber-brown), is constantly extending the
tentacles to full four times their length under ordinary cir-
cumstances ; and on one occasion I have seen a tentacle
on each side thrown out so loDg as to command fully a circle
of six inches in diameter. After the extension, I observe that
the tentacle assumes for several hours a white appearance,
increasing in intensity towards the extreme tip. This ex-
treme extensility is interesting, as showing the resources of
the animal in commanding a larger range for feeding : and
the modus operandi is no less curious; for, after having
reached the utmost length, any nearer spot is examined by
curling the tentacle into a variety of elegant curves and
rings.”

]\Ir. E. W. II. Iloldsworth has also favoured me with
some interesting observations on the same curious habit.
Kcferring to an example which he had already described to
me in the case of S. miniata, and which will be detailed in
its place,^- this excellent observer says : — “ Since my last
letter I have seen the elongation of one of the tentacles of
the first row in hellis. The ordinary shape and proportions
were retained, but the arm was stretclied to more than
twice its natural length, yet without any appearance of
unnatimal tension or straining : it was constantly in motion,

* See infra, p. 41.

D 2

36

SAGAETIAD^.

apparently feeling about for something, but assumed its
usual size after a few hours. It was altogether very dif-
ferent from what I have observed in the case of miniata."

' The Daisy is prolific in captivity. Mr. Holdsworth tells
me that he has known 146, 160, and nearly 300 thrown
out from single individuals in one day. They appear be-
tween the tubercles at the summit of the gonidial gvooves ;
these grooves evidently acting as ducts for the transmission
of the fully-formed young from the intersepts to the exter-
nal world, and doubtless for that of the ova, when these are
discharged. The characteristic form and markings are dis-
tinctly recognisable in the newly-born young ; their prin-
cipal distinction, besides size, consisting in the fewness of
their tentacles, which are commonly twelve in number, and
in the comparative length of these organs, which is much
greater than in the adult. Mr. Holdsworth says : “ I have
observed in this species, as well as in diantlius, and
[Bunodes\ gemmacea, that the size of the young varies with
that of the parent, — large parents producing large young
ones, and vice versa. I have noticed it repeatedly ; and the
fact may perhaps be accounted for by the greater capacity
of the larger parent afibrding room for a further development
of the young before they are expelled than could be
admitted of in the case of a smaller individual-; for the
mature ova, I imagine, are always of the same size in the
same species.”

I have already remarked that this species is easily kept
in the Aquarium. It requires, however, some caution and
skill in the manner of its capture ; for, as it resides in holes
and crevices of the solid rock, it cannot be worked off with
the nail, like some others, but must be cut out with a steel
chisel. And, unless this operation be carefully performed,
there is danger of tearing away the animal from its base,
the central portion of which may be left behind. In this

THE. DAISY ANEMONE.

37

case it will expand in captivity, and look healtliy to the
eye of the tyro ; hut, when examined, it will he seen to he
perforate, a stick thrust in at the mouth coming out at the
base. Specimens so mutilated never recover.

Little more than ordinary treatment is required for
S. hellis. It is desirable that it should he gently pushed,
base downward, into a hole of a piece of rock ; — flints are
often found suitable for it ; — or, if such cannot he readily
obtained, two pieces of stone may be set side by side, and
•the Daisy dropped between them. Then it will soon attach
itself to the bottom or sides of the crevice, and expand
its beautiful disk, like a broad coin, at the top.

S. hellis appears to be essentially a southern form. Sir
John Dalyell, in his twenty years’ experience, seems never
to have met wdth it on the Scottish Coast ; nor has it, so far
as I know, occurred on the Scandinavian or Danish Coasts,
nor on either shore of the German Ocean. On the south-:*
western shores of Scotland, however, it has recently been
found in some numbers.

. On the other hand, it has’ recently been obtained near
Boulogne; Mr. Iloldsworth finds it “by myriads” near
Oporto ; Rapp and Lamarck give the Mediterranean gene-
rally as its habitat ; and De Blainville, more specially, la
Mer de Naples.

The following list of British .localities is as complete as
I have been able to make it.

Guernsey (abundant), E. W. H. 11,: Selsey, G. G.:
Weymouth, P. II. G. : Torquay, P. H. G. : Dartmouth,
E. W. H. 11.: Falmouth, W. P. C. : Mount’s Bay,
Gaertrier; Lundy, G. T. : Ilfracombe, P. H. G. : Tenby
(rare), P. 11. G. : Holyhead, E. L. W. : Man, F. II. W. :
■Puflin' Island, E. L. W. : South Corrigills, Arran, 2\ S.
Wright: Cumbrae, D. Rohertson: Rathlin, P Templeton:
Balyholme Bay, W. Thompson : Dublin Bay, E. P. W.

38

SAGAETIAD^.

Of foreign species the beautiful S. decorata (Dana), found
in the Lagoon of Honden Island, is closely allied to our
belh's.

S. Fuegensis (Dana), from TeiTa del Fuego, a very fine
species with rich yelloAV column and disk, and grass-green
tentacles, has much in common with the subject of this
article, but it has far more prominently the characters, that
the tentacles are short, and spring isolatedly from the disk.

S. impatiens (Dana) has the habit of elongating the
column pillar-wise, and of variously constringing and writh-
ing the body ; thus appearing to be intermediate between
hellis and viduata.

It seems to be through bellis and Fuegensis, that the
genus Sagartia leads off to the curious Discosonia
nummiforme of the Red Sea, in which the column
has no appreciable height, the animal being a very
thin, flat, circular plate, with the tentacles reduced to
minute warts, arranged in groups which form radiating
bands.

Of native species S. parasitica and B. clavata present, in
the expanded character of their disks, marked relations
with hellis. But a still closer affinity exists between hellis
and Aiptasia amaclia, in the characters both of the disk and
of the column, as I shall notice more particularly when I
come to describe the latter.

It ought never to be forgotten that the order of sequence
which we are compelled to adopt in treating of creatures
in a book — that of placing each species between two others
— can by no means express all their relations. Every
species stands in the midst of many others, some closer to
it, some more remote, to which it is linked more or less
obviously. “ Ten or twenty links would often be insuffi-
cient to express these numerous relations.” * To obviate

* Cuvier.

THE DAISY ANEMONE.

39

in some measure the false impressions liable to be pro-
cluced by this unavoidable order of linear succession, I
endeavour-to represent some of the radiations of relation, in
the following manner, observing that more direct affinity is
expressed by the perpendicular order.

dianthus

[Achates] A. amacha

parasitica bellis B. clavata

[Fuegensis] ? [impatiens]

[Discosoma] miniata viduata.

rosea

The late Edward Forbes described* what he considered to
be “ the Actinia hellis of British authors, not of Rapp,”
but which certainly cannot be referred to the species as
now recognised. He obtained several specimens by dredg-
ing on the Manx coast in September ; and it would be worth
while to examine that prolific locality afresh for the animal,
which will probably prove an unnamed species. “ The
body is cylindrical, of a reddish, or reddish white colour,
regularly and ?a\Ay striated longitudinally and transversely,
and having glands of a hright yellow colour, small and not
very numerous, scattered over the sm-face. At the oral
end the body bulges, forming a calyx [cup], on which the
furrows are fe^ver but more granulose. When the disk is
expanded, this calyx laps back, and is then almost even
with the expanded tentacula. Disk angular, in' my speci-
mens square, surrounded by three or four rows of short
tentacula, thickly set, of a white or brownish colour, varie-
gated ; having generally a white line down the centre of
each. The disk is broad, brownish, or orange, with white

• lu the Aunals N. H. for May, 1840.

40

SAGAETIAD^.

lines. The margin of the mouth is bright orange. The
animal zoxi jproject its disk forward in a pouting manner.
Tentacula and disk retractile. The specimens- described
were about one inch long when expanded, but I liave seen
larger.”

I have marked with italics the principal points in the
above description, which seem inconsistent with the suppo-
sition that hellis can be the species intended. The figures
(which are engraved from the late Professor’s drawings, in
Johnston’s Brit. Zooph., 2d Ed. pi. xlii. figs. 3 to 6) can no
more be reconciled with our hellis than the description.

ASTR^ACEA.

SAQARTIAD.E.

THE SCAKLET-FRINGED ANEMONE.

Sagartia viiniata.

Plate II. Figs. 2, 3, 4.

Specific Character. Tentacles with two sub-parallel dark lines along the
front : a white space at foot, crossed by a broad black bar, and a narrow
one below it. Outer row of tentacles with a scarlet core.

Actinia miniata. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 2, vol. xii. 127.

ornata. T. S. Wright, Proc. Eoy. Phys. Soc. Edinb. 1855.

Bimodes (?) miniata, Gosse, Man. Mar. Zool. i. 29.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks and shells ; slightly exceeding the column.

Column. Jlinutely corrugated, studded on the upper half with large
suckers. Substance fleshy. Form thick, the height rarely exceeding the
breadth ; not very variable. • t

Disk. Undulate, scarcely exceeding the diameter of the column; radii
strongly marked, and covered with transverse stria;.

Tentacles. Moderately numerous, airanged in about four rows. Those
of the first row average in length about half the diameter of the disk ; the
others diminish outwards, the last row being not more than one- fourth as
long as the first. They are lax, and are usually arched over the rnsugin, or
thrown into sigmoid curves.

Mouth. Not I'aised on a cone. Lip strongly creuate.

Acontia. Emitted freely and copiously.

Colour.

Column. Deep rich brown, of a tint intermediate between burnt sienna
and scarlet, sometimes merging into deep orange, paling into buff or light
red towards the base, and often deepening into purplish-brown towaids
the summit. Suckers pale bufiF, which in the button-state become con-
fluent, and form pale radiating bands, around the pursed aperture.

Disk. Yellowish or greenish-grey, the radii distinctly mottled with
darker grey or, brown ; very variable. Sometimes one, or a pair, of broad
white gonidial radii.

42

SAGARTIADiE.

Tentacles.

TENTACLE

OF

S. MINI AT A
{front).

Pellucid pale-brown, or yellowish, indistinctly annulated with
dusky. The fi-ont face of each (except the outer row) is
mai’ked with two longitudinal dusky lines, pai’allel with
the sides, and meeting at the summit : these are some-
times interrupted by a pale band crossing the middle of
the tentacle. Below them, at the tentacle-foot, is a large
space of white, -which is crossed by two bars of black;
the upper one thick and very constant, the lower slender,
and sometimes thinned away to a mere shade in the middle.
Groups of tentacles often occur of a more or less opaque
white, but barred like the others, -with which they form
alternate clusters. Those of the outer row consist each of
a pellucid sheath investing a core of scarlet or brilliant
orange, resembling in appearance the central gland in the
papilla of an Eolis. This effect seems to depend on the pig-
ment being spread over the interior surface of the wall
of the tentacle, which is unusually thick and colourless.

Mouth. Orange-red.

Size.

Specimens attain a height of two inches, -with an equal
width of disk.

Locality.

The south and west coasts of England, from Deal to Arran. Rock-pools
and deep water.

Varieties.

a. Ornata. To the state above described, which may be considered as
the normal colouring, I appropriate this name, which was applied by my
friend Dr. T. Strethill Wright, to the species, which he described,
believing it to be new. (Plate ii. fig. 4.)*

Venustoides. Disk rich orange. Tentacles opaque yello-wish-white or
pure white, marked, however, -with the two charactei’istic black bars ; the
outer I’ow showing traces, more or less conspicuous, of the orange lining.
This variety, from Ilfracombe and Torquay, has much 2>ri7na-facie re-
semblance to S. venusta; but the specific marks of the tentacles, the strong
crenation of the mouth, and the well-defined and concentrically striate
i’adii are good signs of distinction. (Plate ii. fig. 3.)

* IMy friend Mr. F. H. West has received a specimen from the vicinity
of Boulogne, with the disk more variegated than is usual Avith our specimens,
and which had this peculiarity, that one-half of the disk was flushed with a
delicate rose-pink, and the opposite half with an equally lovely shade
of green.

PI.ATK 11

I. 8. SACARTIA NIVEA
234. S MINIATA

6 S. TROGLODYTES 7. S ICTHYSTOMA

6 S PARASITICA 9.10, S ORNATA

THE SCAELET-FRINGED ANEMONE.

43

•y. JRoseoules. Column orange-brown ; disk palo yellowish-grey ; ten-
tacles rose-coloured, with the proper markings ; and the outer row either
wholly or partially scarlet-cored. Dartmouth, Plymouth. This is esceed-
ingly like S. rosea. (See the article on that species.)

5. Niveoides.* Column drab-olive. All the tentacles opaque white, except
five groups sub-symmetrically arranged, each group comprising a few
tentacles of a pale orange-buff hue. A single specimen in the possession
of Mr. G. H. King, of Torquaj", obtained by him in the vicinity.

€. Coccinea. Column deep pellucid crimson : tentacles crimson. This
approaches a common state of A. mescmbryanthemum in its api^earance and
colouring ; its suckers, however, will in a moment distinguish it on exa-
mination, and the usual row of orange-cored tentacles determines its true
character. (Plate ii. fig. 2.)

f. Brunnea. Column umber- or even bistre-brown, with pale suckers :
tentacles with the characteristic bars much disguised, and almost lost in a
general cloud of dusky black occupying the lower half of the tentacle :
this is divided by a naiTOW whitish band from the terminal half, which
is pellucid umber. The tentacles ai-e unusually long. Those of the outer
row are not all scarlet, some being white; all, however’, have the cored
appearance. Torquay.

It may suffice to particularise these varieties, hut spe-
cimens are frequently found combining the characters of
several, and running into one another by imperceptible
gradations. I obtained a very young individual at Wey-
mouth, which I assign to this species, in whieh the ten-
tacles of all the four rows were cored with the richest
orange.

I first became acquainted with this very fine species
in the summer of 1853, at Weymouth, wdiere I found
several specimens adhering to the shells of oysters and
pectens, brought to market by the trawlers. Since that
time I have met with it in some abundance in the neigh-
bourhood of Tenby, especially on the eroded surface of
some dangerous rocks, known as the Woolhousc Eocks,
lying about a mile off shore, and exposed only at low’
Avater. In the pools and hollow’s of this reef, open to

* In these compounds I take the liberty of using the elements “ venusta,”
“ rosea,” and “ nivea” not as Latin adjectives, but as words now having the
force of proper names.

44

SAGAETIAD^.

investigation only under favourable cireumstances of wind
and weather at the equinoctial spring-tides, this, with other
lovely kindred species, as rosea, nivea, &c., expands its
beautiful blossom, in charming abundance.

But still more profusely does it occur in certain situations
in the vicinity of Torquay. The line of shore between the
Baths and Meadfoot is very bold, and a great number of
precipitous insular and peninsular rocks fringe the sea-
margin. When the tide is very low, and when the sea is
very smooth, a small boat can penetrate into the narrow
straits and caverns formed by these fragments : and there,
on their landward sides, where the rays of the sun never
reach, may be seen myriads of Anemones, chiefly of this
species, but mingled with dianthus, rosea, and nivea, and
varied by a vast number of Alcyonium digitatum, which
beneath the surface of the clear water are seen blossoming
with their lovely polypes.

The finest specimens I have seen are those which
Mr. W. A. Lloyd obtains from the iMenai Straits. The
species seems to be specially abundant in that locality, and
specimens two inches in diameter are not at all rare. The
varieties ornata and hrunnea are the prominent forms.

The habit referred to, under S. hellis, of greatly lengthen-
ing one of the tentacles, is possessed by this species also.
Mr. E. W. H. Holdsworth has favoured me with the fol-
lowing note. “ In two specimens of the Rosy-armed
miniata [var. roseoides\ I have observed a remarkable
elongation of one of the tentacula, apparently of the second
row. Under the microscope the surface appeared corru-
gated [or transversely annulated], but mostly so when the
arm was fully distended, and the corrugations were most
decided at the free end, which was enlarged, truncate, and
slightly dimpled at the centre. No use was made of this
long arm when the animal was feeding : _ it hung down as

THE SCARLET-FRINGED ANEMONE.

4o

if it did not possess any particular function. It had the
same colour as the others ; but was not, like them, wholly
withdrawn when the animal was closed. In fact, it
appeared as if rather in the way, and not easily disposed
of by its possessor. After about a week [the phenomenon]
disappeared, and I have seen nothing of the lengthened
arms since, in either of the specimens that had had
them.”

Those curious missile filaments which I have named
acontia,'^ are discharged by this species in great profusion.
They are, as usual, white, but appear to possess the power
of discharging a pigment. A large specimen, which I had
irritated by forcibly detaching it (in the usual way) from
a stone, diffused a copious mucus. Acontia were also
abundantly protruded, and spread to double the diameter
of the body on all sides, on the bottom of a saucer in
which I had placed it. After a while the whole of this
mucus over the same area was of a delicate hut decided
roseate hue^ as seen on the white china. The acontia are
very densely filled with cnidce, of two kinds, chambered and
unchambered. The former are -g-Jirth of an inch in length,
linear-ovate, of a clear pale yellow hue, highly refractile,
with a long parallel-sided chamber, extending through
three- fourths of the cnida. It discharges a wire (ecthorceum)
about one and a half times its own length, furnished for
the distal two-thirds with a screw of two (or three) spiral
bands, closely set, and forming an angle with the axis of
30° : the bands are clothed with reverted barbs. The
unchambered cnidse are -g^th of an inch long, of a similar
shape, shooting a wire to eight times its own length, which
is attenuated to a fine point, and is furnished with a single
screw-band, unbarbed.

When out of water, miniata has the habit of protruding

* See the General Introduction, for a full description of these organs.

46

SAGAETIAD^.

the wall of the stomach, almost to as great an extent as
B. crassicornis. This is specially seen when the specimens
hang from the perpendicular face of a rock.

According to Mr. Holdsworth, S. mimata increases by
spontaneously separated fragments of the base, like A.
dianllius. He says, — “ I have had two young ones of
mimata produced from bits of the base detached Aom a
large specimen, which had been fixed for a long time. It
was anchored too firmly; so it cut its cable, and started
for fresh quarters.” According to the same careful observer,
double individuals are not uncommon — a fact which points
to a more decidedly fissiparous habit.

The following note contains all the original information
that I possess of the generative process. Examining a
small specimen, about the middle of August, I found that
it had given birth to several ova or gemmules. I had just
removed it from a stone in one of my tanks, to which it
had been attached many months. It had protruded the
filaments copiously, and these were now partially retracted
and coiled up, forming a white coat almost entirely in-
vesting it. Under a one-inch objective, as these were
twining and twisting, I saw among them several olive-
yellow bodies, which seemed to have a motion independent
of the filamental cmi-ents ; and I isolated one. It was of
a sub-nautiloid form, irregularly convolute, much like a
Bursaria, about xi^tlis of an incli in long diameter, -j-o^ths
in lateral, and about tfinr^hs in transverse ; of a dull clear
olive, but granular, richly clothed everywhere with small
cilia, by means of which it revolved freely in all directions.
Others which I saw were much less than this one.

Dr. T. S. Wright, however, seems to have witnessed the
birth of perfectly-formed young. “ Four young ones,” he
observes,* “ produced by as many specimens of Actinia

* Proc. Roy. Pliys. Soc.

THE SCAKLET-FllINGED ANEMONE.

47

ornata \_=Sag. miniatci] in the last six months, were horn
with a double row of tentaeles, the inner long, the outer
short, and tinged with orange-red as in the adult.”

This beautiful species is easily reconciled to captivity,
and is hardy. I have kept individuals for long periods.
It expands freely. It ought to be placed on a worm-eaten
piece of rock, but it does not require so deep a hole as hellis.
The rich hue of the column, in some varieties, makes it
desirable that this should be visible.

The following list of localities marks the range of the
species as at present known. I am not aware that it has
been found out of Great Britain.

Deal, Bev. 11. II. Domhrain : Weymouth, P. II. G. :
Torquay, P. II. G.: Dartmouth, E. W. II. II.: Plymouth,
Pr. G. Dansey: Ilfracombe, W. A. Lloyd: Tenby, P.H. G.:
3[enai Strait, TV. A. L.: Hilbre Island, E. L. IV.: Arran,
T. S. IV. : Cumbrae, D. B.

bellis.

MINIATA.

rosea.

ornata.

ichthystoma.

ASTRjEACEA.

SAOARTIAD^.

THE ROSY ANEMONE.

Sagartia rosea.

Plate I. Figs. 4, 5, 6.

Specific Character. Tentacles all rose-coloured ; the first row sometimes
with a broad dusky bar above a narrow one at the foot.

Actinia rosea.

pulcherrima.
• vinosa.

Sagartia rosea.

Gosse, Devonshire Coast, p. 90, pi. i. figs. 5, 6
(var. vinosa).

Jordan, Ann. N. H. Ser. 2, vol. xv. p. 86 (var.
pulcherrima).

Holds WORTH, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1856 (var.
vinosa).

Gosse, Tenby, p. 365. Frontisp. (var. Fe-
metana).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks : scarcely exceeding the column.

Column. Minutely corrugated, studded on the upper half with suckers,
to which fragments of gravel or shell occasionally adhere. Substance
fie.shy. Form in expansion elongate, cylindrical.

Fish. A shallow cup, the margins occasionally undulate. Radii strongly
marked, and covered with transverse striae.

Tentacles. Moderately numerous, in four or five rows, nearly equal in
length (but this varies according to the variety) ; often arching regularly
over the margin, but sometimes very small and forming a fine fringe.

Mouth. Not raised on an obvious cone, often apparently four-lobed.
Lip crenate.

Acontia. Emitted copiously.

Colour.

Column. Deep brown, inclining more or less to dark red, paling to buff
at the base. Suckers pale buff or whitish.

Fish. Pale silvery olive, without markings, except an ill-defined dusky
margin, produced by the blending of the bands that cross the foot of each
tentacle.

Tentacles. Clear rose-red or rose-purple, very brilliant; those of the
outer row showing a slight tendency to lilac. Those of the first and

THE ROSY ANEMONE.

49

second rows are crossed at the foot by two undefined dusky bars, some-
times obsolescent, of which the upper is the thicker.

Mouth. Lip white ; or light pink.

Size.

It occasionally rises to a height of an inch and a half ; and the diameter
of the tentacular flower is about an inch.

Locality.

The south-west corner of Great Britain : in holes and rock-pools at low
water-mark.

Varieties.

a. Vinosa. The condition described above, which is that to which the
specific name rosea was first applied, and which appears to be the most
widely-spread variety. (Plate i. fig. 4.)

/3. Pulcherrima. Column cream-white, merging towards the summit
into pale oHve. Disk cream-white, with dark lines between the radii.
Tentacles crimson-lake, with several (more or less distinct) darker bars ;
those of the first row thicker, usually carried erect, or arching inwards.
(Plate i. fig. 6, which is copied from a beautiful drawing with which
Professor Jordan has favoured me.)

y. Erythrops. Column dark brown, inclining to olive, with conspicuous
pale suckers. Disk brilliant orange-scarlet. Tentacles rather short, stout,
bright rose-lilac, the bands across the foot well defined. A very lovely
variety, which I have found near Torquay.

5. Demetana. Small and low, rarely exceeding half an inch in height or
diameter. Column rich red-brown, with inconspicuous suckers. Disk
crimson, often with a tinge of orange, usually more or less puckered at the
margin. Tentacles crimson, short, crowded, resembling a compact fringe.
(Plate i. fig. 5.)

For the first and second of tliese varieties, I have retained
the names proposed respectively by Mr. Holdsworth and
Professor Jordan, who described them as species under
these appellations. I am quite sure that both must be
referred to this species. The fourth is the form so abun-
dant on the Pembroke coast; a very marked variety, to
which I have assigned a name alluding to the ArjpLrjTal,
the ancient inhabitants of that part of Wales. All are
beautiful ; but perhaps jtulckerrima, as its name imports, is
the loveliest of all.

E

50

SAGAETIADiE.

There is no doubt that S. miniata and S. rosea approxi-
mate in some of their varieties very closely ; and I have
had many doubts about the propriety of keeping them
separate. I have seen, in the vicinity of Tenby, specimens,
in which some of the small tentacles of the outer row had
a scarlet or orange core, and yet in no other respect could
I distinguish them from the true rosea. Normal rosece and

o

normal miniatce were abundant on the same rock (the
Woolhouse-rock) within a few feet; which fact suggests
the possibility of hybridization. Besides the scarlet-cored
tentacles, miniata may be described, in those varieties
which come nearest to rosea, as darker externally ; as
growing to a far larger size ; as being lower and less pillar-
like ; and as having a much more lax, flaccid habit of
body.

The qucestio vexaia, — What constitutes a species? what
a variety ? is one which it is much easier to answer theo-
retically than practically. Some have proposed certain
arbitrary canons, such as that assumed by Mr. Tugwell,
i\\xtfo7'm distinguishes the species, colour only the variety.
But this is quite untenable. In many instances colour is
not only specific, but even generic ; — as black, white, and
red, in well-recognised patterns and in certain fixed regions
of the body, in the Woodpeckers ; black, yellow and red,
again in certain patterns, in Paqnlio ; yellow, red and
white in the Pieridce. Indeed, our entomological friends
would be sorely puzzled to define their species, if colour
were denied them as a distinction. In the Butterflies
alone, hundreds of indubitable species rest exclusively on
colouring. The fact is, anything may be a specific character,
provided it be constant. Constancy, permanency, is wliat
we require ; let us only indicate any mark that is invariahly
found, — no matter whether it be colour, form, pattern,
surface, sculpture, or any thing else ; or any combination of

THE KOSY ANEMONE.

51

tliese, and wc have a good specific character. I believe,
with Mr. Wallace, that “ the two doctrines of ‘ permanent
varieties’ and of ‘specially created unvarying species’ are
inconsistent with each other.”* In other words, I would
say a species is permanent, a variety transitory. There is
no doubt, however, that the latter may be maintained
within certain limits by breeding in and in ; though there
will always be a tendency to revert to the original and
normal character, which marks the permanent species.

Though I believe this distinction to be a good one, it
does not therefore follow that we can put it in practice
without any difficulty. We find a specimen; — we know
nothing of its antecedents ; — at most we can trace it only
through a few generations ; and thus we are precluded
from applying our test of permanency to it. The only
resource is the practical skill and judgment which expe-
rience and observation gradually give ; and these, as they
cannot be communicated to another, nor be reduced to
formulaj, differ indefinitely in individual cases. In the
present work I must beg my readers to believe that I use
the best light I have, to arrive at right conclusions.

Under all its variations, which are not very numerous,
S. rosea is a lovely little species. When left by the
receding tide, it protrudes from its tiny cavity in the over-
hanging rock, and droops, a pear-shaped button of orange-
brown, with a cluster of brilliant purple tentacles just
showing their tips from the half-opened centre, and a drop
of water sparkling like a dew-drop, hanging from them.
Then it is beautiful. But a more charming sight is seen
when, as at the rock near Lidstep, or on the Woolhousc
reef, you gaze down into a narrow basin worn by the
waves of ages in the solid limestone, and, having first care-
fully lifted the broad fronds of Laminaria and Ehodymmia

* Zoologist, p. 5S83.

£ 2

52

SAGARTIAD^.

pahnata that spring from the edges, you see the dark hi'own
walls and bottom of the pool, — which is filled to the brim
with quiet crystal water, — all studded over with the
expanded disks of rosece, nivece, and veiiustce. Then indeed
the sloping sides and bottom resemble a parterre, of wliich
these are the lovely flowers ; while the tufts of green,
brown and purple Algse that spring up everywhere around,
some like moss, some like fantastically cut leaves, may well
serve for the foliage of the “fairy paradise.”

“ In hollows of the tide-worn reef,

Left at low water, ghstening in the sun,

Pellucid pools, and rocks in miniature.

With their small fry of fishes, crusted shells.

Rich mosses, tree-like sea-weeds, sparkling pebbles.

Enchant the eye, and tempt the eager hand
To violate the fairy paradise,”

It is equally attractive in those imitations of such rock-
pools, which we make in glass tanks and china pans for
our drawing-rooms. But, like the other species of the
group to which it belongs, it is a somewhat precarious
tenant of the Aquarium. I have kept at different times a
large number of specimens ; but none of them, so far as
I can remember, survived a twelvemonth’s captivity. A
dark-coloured mass of rock suits it best, serving as a back-
ground for its rich crimson blossom. It loves the shadow,
too ; and should therefore be placed on the side farthest
from the light. A rough perpendicular surface is very
appropriate for it.

The Rosy Anemone occasionally protrudes the walls of
the stomach, like B. c7'assicorn{s, which then overlap the
disk in large furrowed pellucid lobes. It sometimes
distends the tentacles till they are translucent, and then it
is not uncommon to see the free ends of the acontia, lying
within these organs in eoils, having penetrated through the
open base of the tentacle from the intersepts of the body-

THE ROSY ANEMONE.

53

cavity. One may sometimes also discern fragments of the
same filaments, which have become accidentally detached,
driven to and fro at the tip of the interior of the tentacle.
The proper ciliary motion of these twisted atoms combining
with the motion produced by the lining cilia of the tentacle-
wall, gives them the fitful vacillating action of spontaneous
volition ; so that they may readily be mistaken for living
worms accidentally imprisoned. The acontia are emitted
from the pores of the body in great profusion upon irri-
tation. The form and armature of their cnidce do not differ
from those in the species last described.

The following are the localities of the Rosy Anemone
known to me : —

Guernsey, E. W. H. H. : Teignmouth, R. C. R. J. :
Torquay, P. II. G. : near Paignton, Rex>. W. F. Short:
Dartmouth, E. TF. H. II. : Tenby, Lidstep, St. Gowan’s
Head, P. H. G: Bantry Bay, E. P. TF.

miniata.

ROSEA.

■ t

venusta.

nivea.

ASTR^EACEA.

EAGARTIAD.E.

THE ORNATE ANEMONE.

Sagartia ornata.

Plate II. Figs. 9, 10.

Specific CTiamcter. Basal region of tlie tentacles, and the outer region of
the radii blackish : a vrhite bar across the former, and a white cordate spot
on the latter.

Actinia ornata. Holdsworth, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1856. PI. v. figs.

5, 6, 7, 8.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form,

Ease. Adherent to the roots of Laminaria : slightly exceedmg the
column.

Column. Minutely corrugated ; studded on the upper half with suckers,
more numerous as they approach the summit. Form in expansion elon-
gate, cylindrical.

Tentacles. Moderately numerous, in five rows ; those of the first row
rather stoutly conical, comparatively short ; the rest diminishing rapidly
as they approach the margin.

Mouth. Not raised on an obvious cone. Lip tumid.

Aconlia. Emitted freely.

Colour.

Column. Dark orange-brown, paler at the base. Suckers pale.

Eislc. Central moiety pale orange, changing to a rich purplish brown on
the outer moiety. The radii of the first and second rows of tentacles
separated by narrow yellow bands slightly diverging “as they proceed
outwards, and at their extremities partially surrounding the bases of the
tentacles, according to the following arrangement. The first tentacle may
be said to arise from the space heticeen two pairs of bands, the second being
situated within the pair;* the band bifurcates near its exti’emity, and
incloses the third tentacle : these branches again divide and form a similar
inclosure for the tentacles of the fourth row :+ beyond these is a set of

* The apparent distribution of the bands in pairs is merely a necessary
result of the fact that the secondary radii ai'e narrower than the primary.

t Hence the yellow bands are doubtless the united radii of the tertian
and quartan series.

THE ORNATE ANEMONE.

very short tentacles ; these, as far as I have been able to examine them,
are not connected with the yellow bands.” On each primary radius is a
large heart-shaped spot of cream-white, well defined, in the midst of the
dark-brown ; and on each secondary radius a similar spot, but more elon*
gated, and situate a little more remote from the common centre.

Tentacles.

TENTACLE
[front vieio).

Dark brown at the base, becoming paler toward the tip, en-
circled by three white rings, of which the basal one is very
distinctly defined.

Mouth. Lip pink; frequently conspicuous.

Size.

About three-fourths of an inch in height when extended ;
flower half an inch in diameter.

Locality.

The entrance of Dartmouth harbour, in the laniinarian
zone.

Varieties.

a. Fusea, The condition above described.

0. Fubida. The brown on the tentacles and certain parts
of the disk replaced by various shades of red.

This attractive little Anemone appears to have been seen
only by iMr. Holdsworth, who described it in detail, with
accompanying drawings, in a Memoir read before the
Zoological Society of London, Dec. llth, 1855. From
those details, as published in tlie Society’s proceedings, I
have compiled the above description, merely throwing them
into that order of arrangement, which, for convenience of
reference, I have adopted in tliis work. I have been aided,
however, by the original beautiful drawings, whicli my
friend has liberally placed in my hands. From these, the
figures in Plate II. have been likewise copied ; fig. 9 re-
presenting the flower, fig. 10 the button.

“ This species,” as its discoverer observes, “ is chiefly
remarkable for the beauty of its oral disk, which, for
coloiu’ing and elegance of marking, will bear comparison

56

SAGARTIADJi.

with that of any of the larger kinds. . . . Several ex-
amples were obtained at extreme low-water mark, from a
large mass of detached rocks known as the Mewstone, near
the entrance to Dartmouth Harbour. They were met
with on two or three occasions, but were always found
nestling among the roots of Laminaria digitata."

The variety rubida was described in the same paper.
Six specimens were found among the roots of a Laminaria
sent to Mr. Holdsworth from the same locality. He could
find no other difference of importance, than the substitu-
tion of red for brown above-mentioned. From a private
communication with which he has recently favoured me, I
learn that he failed to discover any more specimens of
either variety, though he subsequently searched the same
locality.

rosea.

ORNATA.

ichthy stoma.

ASTR.EACEA.

SAGARTIAD.E.

THE FISII-MOUTH ANEMO^^E.

Sagartia ichthy stoma,

{Sp. nov.)

PL.i.TE II. Fig. 7.

Specific Character. Tentacles minute, marginal ; each having two
narrow black bars across the foot.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks or shells ; not exceeding the column.

Column. Coarsely corrugated, with no (observed) suckers. Form (in
button) low, nipple-like, with a coarsely-puckered involution ; (in flower)
cylindrical, in height about equal to its diameter.

lyisTc. A shallow saucer ; with radii strongly marked ; the margin
slightly exceeding the diameter of column.

Tentacles. Moderately numerous, arranged in three rows, set very close
to the margin of disk ; neaidy equal in size, very small, short, and conical.

Mouth. Set on a large cone. Lip very tumid, coarsely fuiTowed.

Colour.

■ Column. Brownish-scarlet, becoming pale towards the top, and tinged
with purple at the very summit.

Disk. Pale fawn or bay, with numerous radiating lines of black, so
thick at the outer half of the area as to give the efiect of a broad, black,
slightly-interrupted ring. A pair of gonidial radii, opposite, white.

Tentacles. Pellucid white, marked at the foot with two
close-set, narrow bars of black, and a broad ill-defined ring of
dusky near the middle. The radial lines of black wind sinu-
ously among the tentacles, on the pale ground of the disk, with
a distinct and pretty efiect.

Month. Lip deep rich scarlet.

Size.

Button half an inch in height. Flower throe-fourths of an
inch in diameter. tentacle

{front).

58

SAGARTIAD^E.

Locality.

The south coast of England : deep ■water ; low i-ocks.

Varieties.

a. Slihista. The condition above described.

j3. Astimma. Disk dull olive-grey. Lips dull brick-red.

I know this little Anemone only by two specimens. The
first (of the variety stibista) I found on an oyster in the
fish-market at Weymouth, in the summer of 1853. As the
oysters with which the market was supplied were brought
in by a trawler, whose fishing grounds were West Bay,
and the offing of Weymouth Bay, we may safely set down
one of these as the native locality of my little prize.

The second specimen, which exhibited that measure of
diversity in colour, that I have set down as distinctive of
the variety astimma, but exactly agreed with the former in
all its other characters, and was manifestly, at the first
glance, of the same species, was sent me from Torquay, in
April, 1856, by the Rev. AV. F. Short. I understand it
was taken at the insular rock known as the Ore Stone.

Though less showy than the former specimen, whose
black-lined face and pouting scarlet lips made it very attrac-
tive, this latter was still very pretty ; and it proved to be
easily reconciled to captivity, for it remained in one of my
tanks, — sometimes under rather unfavourable conditions of
the water, — from the 10th of April, 1856, to the middle of
August, 1857, a period of sixteen months. Nor have I any
reason to believe that it would have died then, but for my
own carelessness ; for having taken it out of the tank to
examine it, I incautiously left it, after my observations,
exposed in a saucer to the midday beams of a hot August
sun, and found it, of course, killed, when I looked at it
again.

59

THE FISII-MOUTII ANEMONE.

The acontia contained, as usual, both unchambered and
chambered cnidce. The former were linear-oblong, g^th
of an inch in length, discharging an ecthorceum, four times
as long as themselves, surrounded with a single spiral band.
The latter were of the same form, but twice as long and
wide, discharging an ecthorceum very little longer than
themselves, in which I could not discern the least trace either
of barbs or screw. The acontiiim was taken, certainly,
from the specimen last mentioned, when it was either dying
or dead, decomposition having commenced ; but the invest-
ing cilia were in parts still active, and the cnidce dis-
charged vigorously, just as when alive.

In both varieties the small, conical, pointed tentacles
projecting very regularly from the margin, impart a pecu-
liar and well-recognised character to the species. These
organs so strongly resembled the little sharp teeth crowded
round the jaws of some fishes, that I was induced to borrow
a nomen trivicde from that resemblance. The appellations
of the varieties • allude, as my classical readers will have
perceived, to the long-standing custom among the Oriental
ladies (nor altogether unknown to the dandies of ancient
Rome*) of staining the eyelids with stibium, a preparation
of antimony, for the purpose of imparting a soft voluptuous
languor to the eyes. Jezebel “ put her eyes in painting”
(2 Kings ix. 30 ; marg.).

ornata.

? iCTiTiiYSTo:NrA. B. crassicornis.

?

miniata.

* See Pliny, Nat. Hist, xi, 37 ; Juv, Sat. ii. 93.

ASTR^EACEA.

SAGARTIAD.E.

THE ORANGE-DISKED ANEMONE.

Sagartia vemista.

Plate I. Fig. 7.

Specific Character. Disk orange ; tentacles white.

Actinia venusta. Gosse, Ann. N. H. Ser. 2, xiv. 281.

Sagartia venusta. Ibid., Linn. Trans, xxi. 274. Tenby, 358 ; pi. xxiii.

figs, a, b.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form,

Base. Adherent to rocks ; little exceeding the column.

Column. Smooth, or very minutely corrugated ; studded on the upper
half with suckers, which are not raised on conspicuous warts. Substance
fleshy. Form cylindrical, the height rarely exceeding the diameter.

Dish. Flat or slightly concave ; the margin somewhat undulate.
Outline often ovate. Radii inconspicuous.

Tentacles. About two hundred or upwards, set in about four indistinct
rows ; the inner ones about as long as the diameter of the disk, the outer-
most small and close-set ; slender, acute, somewhat flaccid.

Mouth. A simple orifice without cone, or distinct lip ; frequently
thrown into lobes. Throat ribbed.

Acontia. Emitted copiously and freely.

' Colour.

Column. Warm brown, varying from deep bufi", to full rich brown-
orange, often paler towards the lower half, where traces of alternate lon-
gitudinal bands of pale and dai'k tint are sometimes visible. Suckers
whitish.

Disk. Wholly of a most brilliant orange, without markings.

Tentacles. Pure white, without markings, except that the colour is
generally pellucid at the foot and at the tip, and more or less opaque in
the middle.

Mouth. Paler than the disk. Ribs of throat white.

Size,

A full-sized specimen well expanded is about three-fourths of an inch in
diameter of disk ; but the extended tentacles may increase this to an

THE ORANGE-DISKED ANEMONE.

61

ia^h and a half, or rather more. The height rarely exceeds three-fourths
of an inch.

Locality.

Various points in the south and west of Great Britain and Ireland. In
Scotland it has not been recognised. Hollows in perpendicular and over-
hanging rocks, exposed at low water : dark tide-pools.

Varieties.

The variation seems to be limited to the greater or less depth of tint in
the column.

This most elegant species was first met with by myself
in the neighbourhood of Tenby, where it is so abundant as
to be quite characteristic. It has since been found in
several other somewhat remote habitats, but nowhere in
anything like the profusion in which it occurs in that its
first recognised home. I am justified therefore in consider-
ing South Wales the metropolis of the species. It occurs
all along the south coast of Pembrokeshire, at least from
Monkstone Point to St. Gowan’s Head ; but is more than
usually numerous in the fine perforate caverns of St.
Catherine’s Island, that form such an attraction to Tenby
visitors, and in the liollows and erosions of that rich pre-
serve of zoophytic game, — the Woolhouse Rocks.

The Orange-disk is essentially a cave-dweller ; almost
invariably choosing for its residence some crevice or cranny,
or one of those little cavities made by boring mollusks,
with which the limestone on those coasts is generally
honeycombed. Occasionally, indeed, we find it in shallow
pools, with a bottom of impalpable mud, the detritus pro-
duced by the action of the waves on the surrounding rocks ;
but in such cases it will be invariably found that the
Actinia is attached to a hollow in the solid floor of the pool,
protruding its body through the deposit by elongation, and
expanding its beautiful disk on the surface. Owing to this

G2

SAGAETIADiE.

troglodyte habit, it is, like many of its congeners, rather
difficult to procure, notwithstanding its abundance, as it
must be chiselled out, — an operation, which, from the great
hardness of the compact limestone, is both tedious and
precarious.

Hundreds might be seen " in the largest of the caverns
just alluded to, hanging down from the w^alls during the
recess of the tide ; the button elongated to an inch or more.
And almost every dark overarched basin hollowed in the
sides of the caves, or in similar situations, at Lidstep, at
St. Margaret’s Island, and under Tenby Head, each filled
to the brim with still crystalline water, had its rugged walls
and floor studded with the full-blown blossoms of this
and cognate species.

As a specimen of the exceeding richness of these “ gar-
dens of the Nereids,” wherewith our iron-bound coasts are
adorned, I shall take the liberty of citing the description of
one, as it appeared to myself in the vicinity of which I
am speaking. It was on the face of the bluff castle-
crowned promontory known as Tenby Head.

“ After scrambling over many rough ridges, we come to
a perpendicular wall of rock some twenty-five feet high,
jutting out from the cliff right across our way ; its foot
washed by the sea, wdiich is evidently of considerable
depth, its summit tapered to a sharp edge, and the whole
side holed, and furrowed, and honeycombed, and covered
with barnacles to the very top.

* I use the past tense ; for alas ! it is so no more. When I revisited
Tenby in 1856, I found that these caves, and almost every accessible part
of the neighbouring coast, -were pretty well denuded of the lovely animal-
flowers, which, in 1854, had blossomed there, as in a parterre. I fear that
the hammers and chisels of amateur naturalists have been the desolating
agents ; and my friends tell me, not without a semi-earnest reproachful-
ness, that I am myself not guiltless of bringing about the consummation.
If the visitors were gainers to the same .amount as the rocks are losers,
there would be less cause for regret ; but owing to difficulty and unskilful-
ness combined, probably half a dozen Anemones .are destroyed for one that
goes into the aquarium.

THE OEANGE-DISKED ANE3IONE.

ca

“ On tlie south side of this wall, almost at its base, on a
rough mass of rock so covered with luxuriant tufts of Dulse
[Ithodpnenia palmata) as to be richly empurpled with it,
I found a little basin, somewhat irregular in outline, but
rudely oval, about a foot long, eight inches wide, and six
inehes deep ; in other words, about the size of a soup-
tureen. It was much obscured by overhanging drapery of
Fucus ; but, on lifting this, I was astonished and delighted
with the profusion of animal life, whose gay and varied
hues gave to the tiny area the appearance of an artist’s
newly-rubbed palette.

“ Lest I should seem to exaggerate if I reported the
contents of this basin from memory, I took the trouble to
count the specimens, noting each sort in my pocket-book
on the spot. Their numbers were, — nineteen of the bril-
liant Orange-disk [Sagartia venusta), and twelve of the
Snowy {S. nivea), all fully blown ; besides two large Shore-
Crabs [Garcinus moenas), a Shanny {Blennius pholis), a
Cgntliia, several Sahellce, a group of Sabellaria alveolata^
some very fine masses of Botrglloides, and many specimens
of the Crown Sponge {Grantia ciliata).

“!Nor was this extraordinary pool less rieh in its botany
than in its zoology. Chondrus crispics, finely tipped with
steel-blue, as usual ; the Common Coralline ( Corallina
officinalis)^ purpling the sides and bottom ; some small
fronds of Bhodgmenia palmata, and one or two tiny ones of
Laminaria saccliarina, — which is particularly pretty while
it is young, — were there ; as also two other kinds of superior
elegance, namely, Delesseria ruscifolia, with its oak-like
leaves of fine dark crimson, and the pretty rich-green
feathers of Bryopsis plumosa. Besides all these, there
were other plants and animals of less note, which I did not
enumerate.’^*

* Teuhy; a Sea-side Holiday; 96, et scq.

64

SAGAIiTIAD^.

I think it more than probable that the long deep
Atlantic fiords of the sister island, -will, on examination,
prove at least to equal, if they do not greatly surpass, in
the luxuriance of their marine zoology and botany, any-
tliing that we can boast in England. As a companion to
the above, I gladly give an Irish picture of S. vemista, in
situ, sketched by the graphic pen of my friend Dr. E. Per-
cival Wright, the able and energetic Director of the Dublin
University Museum.

“ Last August, while entomologizing with Messrs.
Ilaliday and Furlong in Killarney and Glengariflf, we made
one day’s excursion down Bantry Bay — a famed spot, but,
with all its fame, it has never been worked. Well ; the
weather was bad, — very bad ; a thick mizzling rain soon
•bespangled us with heavy dew-drops : however, pulled by
four good oars, we did get on. The tide being right
against us, it was hours ere we reached some remarkable
caves, — the chief object of our trip.

“ Thousands of the dark olive-green Actinia mesembry-
anthemum lined these caves. It was not safe to try to
land ; but in places where the sea, owing to shelter, was
quiet, I could see the sea-floor covered with an extra-
ordinary luxuriance of Actiniee, Sponges, &c. ; — their
colours, and forms, of course, distorted by every ripple of
the waves.

“We did land for a few minutes on one spot ; and, even
at Tenby, and under St. Catherine’s Bock, I never saw so
much in the time; and this, though I did not wander
from a single rock-pool. In it I saw about foiu* and twenty
specimens of Echinus lividus, all comfortably sitting in
arm-chairs nicely cut out of stone, and most of them of a
lovely purple tint. Down the centre of the pool ran a
narrow fissm’e quite choked with Bunodes crassicornis,
which, as is their wont, had managed to gather all the

THE ORANGE-DISKED ANEMONE.

65

little broken debris of shells, and to stick them over their
bodies, in the "vray children stick broken china on heaps of
mud, in our Irish villages.

“ But new to me as was E. lividus, and splendid as the
really tine crassicornes were — they were of that pretty
healthy white and pink variety — yet they were surpassed
by your Sag. venusta, which with S. rosea sprouted out of
every fissure. The former is, I think, the most exquisite
of our Irish Anemones. In your figure in ‘ Tenby,’ the
tentacles are hardly white enough, and no painting can do
justice to the clear orange. Book it and S. rosea, both
very distinct from any other of our species. I saw other
Anemones that I suspect will turn out new species ; but
what could twenty minutes and an insect-net effect in
‘catching’ such things as Sagarts? Why, touch them
roughly and — they’re gone ! If spared, I will visit them
again ; and you shall see them, I hope, too : for if I spend
a month in Bantry Bay, say next June or July, I can
easily send you my Actinia captures ; — that is, if you
won’t visit Ireland. It is as pleasant as Jamaica.”

To turn from these tempting scenes of wild nature ; — our
beautiful Orange-disk is easily made happy in captivity :
where, indeed, fed daily by fair fingers, and admired by
bright eyes, it would argue badly for its temper if it were
not. It is soon at home, and becomes one of the most
brilliant ornaments of the Aquarium, expanding its lovely
disk freely, fringed with its elegant border of snow-white
tentacles, and thus making up in beauty what it lacks in size.
It will survive an indefinite period, if it receive a moderate
degree of attention. The observations which I have made
on the treatment of S. rosea will apply with equal force to
this species and to the following.

]SIr. Holdsworth informs me that he has witnessed the
production of new individuals from fragments spontaneously

F

66

SAGARTIAD^.

detaclied from the "base, in S. venusta, as before described
in the case of A. diantlms. Miss Loddiges has favoured
me with information of the same phenomenon in this
species.

The following are the localities known to me as inhabited
bj the Orange-disk : —

Guernsey, Br. J. D. Hilton : (on Laminarice washed up)
Miss Giiille : Toiciuay, P. H G. : Clovelly (on oysters
from deep water), Rev. C. Kingsley: Morte Stone, G. T. :
Lnndy, G. T. : Tenby, P. H. G. : St. Gowan’s Head,
P. IL G. : Puffin Island, E. L. W.: Bantry Bay, E. P. TF. .•
Belfast (abundant), C. Bosanqiiet.

This species has close relations with S. nivea. Its
colouring, however, so far as I have seen, is constant,
without any approach to albinism ; and its tendency to an
ovate outline also distinguishes it, though less satisfactorily.
It may possibly be found hereafter that the two constitute
but a single species; but in the absence of any intermediate
condition, I think it best to consider them distinct.

miniata.

VENUSTA.

nivea.

ASIR.EACEA.

SAGARTIAD^E.

THE SNOWY ANEMONE.

Sagartia nivea.

Plate II. Fifjs. 1, 8.

Specific Character. Disk and tentacles opaque wliite, ■without
markings.

Actinia nivea. Gosse, Devonsh. Coast, 93 ; pi. i. fig. 8.

Safjartia nivea. Ibid. Trans. Linn. Soc. xxi. 274. Tenby, 3G8, Frontisp.

Annals N. H. Ser. 3, voL i. p. 415.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Foeji.

Base. Adherent to rocks ; little exceeding the column.

Column. Smooth, or slightly corrugated : studded on the upper half
with suckers, which form somewhat conspicuous warts. Substance
fleshy. Form cylindrical; the height often exceeding the diameter.

Dish. Flat or slightly concave ; the margin scarcely undulate. Outline
circular. Radii conspicuously marked.

Tentacles. About two hundred, ai’ranged in four distinct rows ; of
which the first and second contain each twenty-four ; the third forty-eight ;
and the fourth, which is marginal, about one hundred. Those of the first
row, when extended, are about as long as the diameter of the disk ; the
others diminish gradually, the outer row being small, and often papillary.

Mouth. Sometimes raised on a cone, which at other times disappears ;
frequently thrown into lobes. Lip slightly tumid. Throat ribbed.

Acontia. Emitted freely and copiously.

CoLoru.

Column. A light olive drab, slightly varying in intensity ; becoming
paler towards the lower half, which is often marked with alternate longi-
tudinal bands of white and drab tint. Suckers whitish.

Bisk. Opaque white without markings, except that, when full}' ex-
panded, a grey tinge spreads in a circle, near the bases of the tentacles.
Occasionally a very faint tinge of yellow suirounds the mouth.

Tentacles. Pure snow-white, 02iaque, except when much distended with
water; without any markings either on the body or around the foot.

Mouth. Lip and throat pure white.

Y 2

68

SAGARTIADJi.

Size.

Large specimens attain the thickness of an inch, the height of an inch
and a quarter, and the diameter of an inch and a half, when fully
expanded.

Locality.

The south-west coast of England. Crevices and rock-pools.

Varieties.

a. Immaculata. The condition above described.

Obscurata. Disk tinged with faint greyish-olive ; the tentacular
region smoke-grey, undefined. This variety sometimes has the column of
that rich orange-brown hue which is characteristic of this group.

It was on the north side of the limestone promontory
known as Petit Tor, on the south coast of Devon, that I
first met with the Snowy Anemone, in the spring of 1852.
The rock here is hollowed into large cavernous pools,
isolated only at very low tides, and dark with the shadow of
the slimy sponge-covered precipices that arch over them ;
where Laminarice grow abundantly, affording many a nidus
for profuse forests of parasitic Hydroids of the genera
Sertularia, Plumularia, and Laomedea. The little red
siphons of thousands of Saxicavce hang domi from the
holes which they have excavated in the solid limestone,
each terminated by a diamond drop of water, awaiting the
moment when the returning tide shall cover their abodes,
and restore to them activity and enjoyment. It is their
season of periodical idleness and repose. Among the
roughnesses of the rock, and the conical papillary pores of
the sponges, which, olive, yellow, and scarlet, stud the sur-
face,— green Nereidous worms glide along, in and out, by
means of the curious packets of slender bristles, alternately
projected from every segment and withdrawn, that serve
them instead of feet. Below the water-line, that is to say,

THE SNOWY ANEMONE.

69

the level of the lowest part of the margin of the pool, which
of course never varies, such animals and plants as require
to be perpetually covered with water enjoy circumstances
suited to their wants. In the deepest shadow, fine speci-
mens of the fleshy Dulse (Iridcea edulis), and the lovely
leaf-like Delesseria sanguinea, display their crimson fronds
in copious tufts ; plants that cannot bear the absence of
water, their delicate leaves becoming orange-coloured in
large patches, which soon die and slough away, — if left
unbathed even for a single tide. The curious white Cows’
paps {Alcgonium digitatum), all studded with their clear
glassy polypes, project from the rock ; and here I saw
several white AcHnice, which at once attracted my notice,
though beyond my reach, on the opposite side of the pool.
At length, however, by searching in another smaller pool,
to which I could gain access, I found, beneath the drooping
Oarweeds, one of the white Actinice within reach. It was
three or four inches beneath the surface ; so that to procure
it, it was needful to bale out the water to that depth, which
I effected by the aid of one of my collecting jars, and then
to cut out the animal’s cell with the steel chisel. I was,
however, sufficiently repaid for the labour by the beauty of
this snow-Avhite Anemone.

After an absence of nearly six years, I visited this inter-
esting spot again. It had often been a subject of specula-
tion with me whether the minute features of a rocky coast
change rapidly under the action of weather and sea ; and I
had looked forward to this visit with interest, as likely to
afford me data for determining the question. The shore
was as if I had left it hut yesterday. Everything appeared
as if it had been untouched : every tide-pool, every projec-
tion, I recognised : the broad cleft that I have described
(Devonsh. Coast, p. 34) ; the little basins within it ; the
slight projections on the face of the cliff by means of which

70

SAGARTIADiE.

I scrambled across, just as of old ; the farther chasm (p. 39) ;
and the large dark tide-pool in which I had seen the Prawn ;
— all were exactly as when I first made acquaintanee with
them six years ago. This last pool is still fringed with
Oarweeds crowded with Laomedea forests, and the farther
walls are still spotted over with daisy-like Snowy Ane-
mones, just where I saw them first, and in all probability
the very same identical individuals.

But in the interim I had become familiar with the fair
nivea, in what I may call its metropolitan home. It is in
the numerous caverns and dark rock-pools into which the
limestone formation on the Pembroke coast is hollowed,
that this lovely species is seen to advantage ; especially in
the dark holes of Monkstone, the Caves of St. Catherine’s
and St. Cowan’s, and the oversliadowed pools of Tenby
Head and Lidstep. Here, as we peer into the clear water
of these obseure Avells, we see the Snowy Anemone studding
the rugged sides by hundreds, like bright stars on the mid-
night sky, singly and in constellations. Here, too, swarm
its eongeners and companions, the equally lovely rosea and
vemista ; and this trio of graces are the very gems of the
Demetian rocks.

When covered by water, nivea expands freely, and con-
tinues long unfolded ; but, in situations where it is left by
the tide, it either withdraws into its hole, or, if this be
placed on the side of a perpendieular or overhanging rock,
it hangs out in the form of a lengthened wart, with a drop
of water depending from its drooping head, like a dewdrop,
in the centre of which a speck of white reveals the peeping
tips of the contracted tentacles.

]Mr. Holdsworth has observed in this species that eurious
form of elongation of the tentacles described under S.
miniafa. Here, however, no feAver than ten or twelve of
the tentacles of the first and second rows hung doAvn,

THE SNOWY ANEMONE.

71

straight and motionless, to a distance of two inches from tiie
disk. They were attenuated towards the middle, enlarging
again on nearing the tip, which was truncate in some,
rounded or obtusely pointed in others. Corrugation was
present in some, but was rather difficult of detection, owing
to the absence of colour. It is probable that this peculiar
condition of the tentacles may be accompanied with func-
tions distinct from those of the mere elongation, such as
has been described under S. hellis. (See ante, p. 35.)

This species bears a far closer resemblance to a dai,sy,
both in size and colour, than that which has obtained pos-
session of the name. Indeed, one can scarcely see a group
of nivecB and venustce under Avater, especially among the
small mossy groAvth of grass-green Algge, — Bryojosis, Con-
ferva, Cahthrix, Enter omor^ha, &c., — Avithout being forcibly
reminded of a crop of daisies on a lawn.

Mr. Iloldsworth finds it ‘‘not uncommon at Dartmouth,
but usually small ; inhabiting crcAuces in steep rocks under
sea-Aveeds ; at Guernsey, in sheltered nooks, A^cry fine.”

The young do not differ from the parent, except in size
and in the number of the tentacles. An infant specimen
that Avas born in one of my aquaria, adhered by the base
immediately, and presently expanded. It displayed tAA'eh'e
tentacles, set in six pairs ; each pair being nearly parallel,
and separated by a marked interval from the pair on either
side.

Nivea riA'als miniata in the profusion Avith Avliich it
shoots forth its poison-bearing acontia, on the slightest irri-
tation. They arc moderately croAvded Avith cnidee, mostly
of the chambered kind, discharging an ecthorceuin little
longer than themsch^es, densely armed Avith rcA'ertcd barbs,
AA’hich impart the brush-like form so characteristic of this
genus.

Most of the recognised habitats of the species have been

72

SAGARTIAD^.

already mentioned incidentally : they may, however, con-
veniently be tabulated.

Guernsey, E. W. H. H. : Torquay, P. H. G. : Dart-
mouth, E. T'F. H. H. : Clovelly (on oysters trawled) , C. K. .
Morte, G. T. : Ilfracombe, P. H. G. : Lundy, G, T. :
Tenby, P. H. G. : St. Gowan’s Head, P. H. G. :

veuusta.

NIVEA.

sphyrodeta.

ASTR.EACEA.

SAOARTIAD.E.

THE SANDALLED ANEMONE.

Sagartia sjyliyrodeUi.

Plate I. Fiys. 8, 9.

Specific Character. Tentacles few, thick, pm’e white ; the foot of each
inclosed within a slender ring of purple, which passes off in a line towards
the margin.

Actinia Candida. GosSE, Devonsh. Coast, 430; ph viii. figs. 11, 12,

13 (“ The Purple Spotted Anemone”).

Sagartia Candida. Ibid. Linn. Trans, xxi. 274 ; Man. Mar. Zool. i. 28.
tphyrodeta. Ibid. Annals N. H. Ser. 3, vol. i. p. 415.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks; expanded beyond the column.

Column. Smooth, without conspicuous suckers. Substance pulpy.
Form cylindrical; the height in general slightly exceeding the diameter.

Disk. Flat or slightly concave ; the margin entire. Outline circular.
Radii di.stinct. ,

Tentacles. About forty-eight, arranged in four rows ; of which the first
and second contain each eight, the third and fourth each sixteen. Those
of the first row are by far the largest, the size diminishing regnlarly to the
external row : their form is stout and conical. They are usually spread
horizontally, and have their tips frequently bent downwards.

Mouth. Raised on a conspicuous cone, which, however, is not per-
manent. Lip capable of great protrusion and distension.

Aconlia, Emitted freely and coiiiously.

Colour.

Column. Marked longitudinally with many bands anjl narrow lines of
opaque white, separated by interspaces, always narrow, of pale semi-pellucid
brown, or drab. The suininit is occasionally tinged with reddish-brown.

Disk. Opaque white, marked with five radiating lines of pellucid white.
The tentacular region is marked with the ring-lines to be presently
described.

Tentacles. Ivory white, without the least appearance of spots or bars ;
but at the veiy foot, where each tentacle springs from the horizontal disk,
it is sunounded by a narrow ring of purplish, reddish, or dusky brown.

74

SAGARTIAD.®.

wlaich is occasionally

TENTACLES OF SPHT-
EODETA

{vieived verticallij).

broien in front, but always passes off behind in a
slender wavy line to the margin, where it slightly
bifurcates. Frequently the ring dilates into an
undefined spot at each side of the tentacle-foot.
Sometimes the line passing off to the margin
can be scarcely discerned beyond the second
row, and sometimes the whole marking seems
obliterated.

Mouth. Pure Avhite.

Size.

Half an-inch in height, and about the same (or occasionally a little more)
in expanse.

Locality.

The south and west coasts of England. Low-water mark. Fissures in
rocks ; the under surface of stones.

Varieties.

a. Candida. The condition above detailed, which I originally described
in my “ Devonshire Coast” under this specific name.

Xanthoins. Disk assuming various shades of yellow, from a pale
chrome or lemon-colour to a deep orange, or even dull vermilion.

This pretty little species was discovered by myself at
Ilfracombe. It was during an unusually low spring-
tide, in October, 1852. Specimens occurred at that time
ill two localities, having this in common, that in each case
they were adherent to the perpendicular or overhanging
surface of the cliff, at the very verge of lowest water. The
animals were ^social : in the one case I found three indi-
viduals associated ; in the other many dozens, a numerous
colony thronging the approximating sides of a narrow
fissure that runs far up into the solid rock at the seaward
base of Capstone Promenade. A frequent tendency to a
pendent posture was noticed ; for even where the general
surface of the rock was perpendicular, many of the Anc-

THE SANDALLED ANEMONE.

mones W’cre hanging from hcneatli the little points and
projecting ledges.

In describing these specimens, I suggested the possibility
that they might be referred to the Actinia alba of Mr. W.
P. Cocks.* The absence of the bright yellow dots that
were found on the mouth of the latter, and the entire want
of visible suckers, induced me to consider mine as unde-
scribed. It is true, the repeated occurrence since of
specimens with a disk more or less yellow nullifies the
force of the former objection, but the latter remains ; and
until I see specimens of A. alba from Mr. Cocks’s locality,
I dare not assume the identity. From original draAvings
with which that gentleman has kindly favoured me, I per-
ceive, moreover, that the tentacles in alba are numerous
and slender, whereas in sphyrodeta they are few, thick,
and conical. Besides this, the marking of the ten-
tacles in alba, Avhich are described as “ barred, having
opafjue white patches anteriorly,” removes the animal from
any species with Avhich I am acquainted. I am not,
however, without hope, that before this Avork is closed,
the kindness of my Coinish friends may bring me into
personal acquaintance Avitli this, and other desiderata of
that prolific coast.

The substitution of another appellation for that AAdiich
I had at first assigned to this species was called for on Iaa'O
accounts. First, there was already a species named Candida
by ^liiller ; of Avhich fact I was not aAvarc. Secondly,
this name proA^ed objectionable. While no specific name
may be rejected on account of its ha\’ing no significance,
CA^ery one ought to be rejected Avhich has a false sig-
nificance. Mr. IIoldsAvorth’s discoveries of the species at
Dartmouth and in the Channel Islands have proA’ed, or at

* Johnst. Br. Zooph. ; Eel. 2; 217. Rep. Cornw. Polyt. Soc. 1851 ; 6,

76

SAGAKTIAD^.

least rendered it highly probable, that the normal con-
dition is to have the disk of a yellow hue, more or less
deep, the white variety being nothing more than the
albinism to which organic colours so often tend. The
term “ Candida^' therefore, became inappropriate as a
nomen trtviale ; and I have sought one which should
express a more unvarying character. The word “ s])}iy-
rodeta" signifies sandalled, from aipvpa, the ankles, and
Sea), to bind ; and alludes, as I need scarcely say, to the
line which, like a narrow ribbon, encircles the tentacle-foot.

That the white disk marks a degenerated condition is
rendered more probable by some facts that have come
under Mr. Holdsworth’s observation, and, in part, also
under my own. A specimen obtained by that gentleman
at Dartmouth was at first of a rich chrome-yellow over the
whole disk ; but after having been some time in captivity,
it gradually faded to a sort of dull cream- white ; in this
condition, my friend submitted it to my care for a few
days, during which time it quickly resumed its brilliant
face. Another individual, which I think Mr. Holdsworth
brought from Guernsey, fell into a like condition. Writing
of this, he observes, “ The animal has been out of sorts,
and I have been obliged to administer to it several
draughts (of pure sea-water), which have nearly set it to
rights again. The beautiful colour of the disk, however,
has nearly vanished, but some traces of it are still to be
seen around the mouth. When I first had it, the colour
was very conspicuous.”

The Sandalled Anemone is an interesting little captive.
It expands its flower-face with great readiness ; rarely
remaining long closed, provided the surrounding water
be pure. The large conical tentacles stretch out hori-
zontally to their utmost, like a star ; and though, on being
touched, it will partially contract, it unfolds the instant

THE SANDALLED ANEMONE.

77

the annoyance ceases, and is presently full-blown again.
It is fond of floating at the surface of its prison, the base
dilated at the top of the water, like a swimming Nudi-
branch, the body hanging downwards, with the tentacles
widely expanded.

It cannot be considered a common species ; but where it
does occur, it is usually in some numbers. It is easily
obtained when discovered, as it does not inhabit holes or
crevices, but adheres to the smooth rock ; it does not
appear to indue its body with gravel, or any extraneous
substances. Mr. Holdsworth found it not uncommon at
Guernsey, with the imexpected habit of lodging under
stones on the beach, at low water. At Dartmouth the
same observer records its occurrence on the roots of
Laminaria, as well as on the rocks.

In my original notice of the species, I have mentioned
the readiness and profusion with which the acontia or
armed filaments are shot forth from the body on the
slightest provocation. Subsequent observation has abun-
dantly confirmed this irritable habit. The character and
armature of the cnidm are also there noted.

The localities of the species are as yet but few, though
they are widely scattered.

Jersey, Guernsey, E. Tl’’. JI. H. : Dartmouth, E.
Ilfracombe, P. H. G. : Hilbre Island, E. L. W.

nivea.

SPIIYRODETA.

pallida.

ASTR^ACEA.

SAGARTIAD^E.

THE PALLID ANEMONE.

Sagartia jgaUida.

Plate III. F'ujs. 4, 5.

Specific Character. Tentacles numerous, slender, white, each rising
between two bowed blue lines.

Actinia pallida. Holdsworth, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1856, pi. v. fig. 4.
Safjartia pallida. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 3. vol. i. ji. 415.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Fokm.

Base. Adherent to rocks ; considerably wider than column ; outline
undulate.

Column. Smooth, without conspicuous suckers. Substance pul^)}'.
Form cylindrical, pillar-like, about twice as high as wide, when extended,
but very flat when contracted. Margin a low parapet.

Disk. Flat or slightly concave ; the margin entire.

Tentacles. Numerous, arranged in four rows; moderately long, slender,
and slightly tapering to the tips, their length regularly diminishing from
the flrst row outwards. They are commonly carried sub-erect, the
external rows arching outwards.

Mouth. ?

Acontia. Emitted from the mouth in some abundance, but not very
readily.

Colour.

Column. Pellucid whitish. White longitudinal lines are sometimes
visible, but they are merely the edges of the septa, seen thi’ough the
ti’anslucent skin, and not bands of surface-coloui’.

Disk. Pellucid whitish.

Tentacles. Pellucid whitish. The foot of each ten-
tacle is embraced by two curved lines of dark blue,
which approach each other without meeting ; and
l^ass off in front towards the centre of the disk, and
behind towards the margin, in the form represented
in the accompanying figure. The general effect is to tentacle of
produce a bluish shade on that region of the disk palliea
from which the tentacles sin'ing. (viewed vertically).

THE PALLID ANEMONE.

79

Size.

Diameter of column about one-tbird of an inch ; height of column two-
tliirds ; expanse of flower nearly an inch.

Locality.

South-west coast of England ; rocks between tide-marks.

Vaeieties.

a. Cana. The colourless state above described. Plate iii. fig. 5.

$. Itufa. Column of a dull brownish-orange, paler or deeper in tint.
Plate iii. fig. 4.

I am indebted for my knowledge of this little form to
i\Ir. Iloldsworth, who discovered about a dozen specimens
scattered about the rocks near the entrance to Dartmouth
Harbour, “ a part of our western coast, which, from its
steep rugged character, and its luxuriant growth of sea-
weeds, presents a fruitful hunting-ground for those in
search of marine productions.” They were obtained in
July, 1855, and were described by their discoverer, in a
Memoir read before the Zoological Society of London in
the following December, and subsequently published in
their Proceedings. All of the individuals were of the
variety cana, differing in no respect among themselves
except in size. “ They Avere found on the exposed surface
of perpendicular rocks at about half-tide mark ; and Avhen
out of the water and contracted, were very difficult to dis-
tinguish, owing to their great transparency.” *

Some time afterwards the same gentleman obtained
several specimens of a little Anemone which agreed with
his former cajitives in every respect, save that their column
Avas of a rufous hue ; the tentacles, hoAvever, ha\dng the
same characteristic foot-marks as before. He concluded

• Proc. Zool. Soc. 1S5j.

80

SAGARTIAD^.

that they were but varying phases of the same species ;
and, as he kindly gave me an opportunity of forming a
judgment by presenting me with a specimen of each
colour, I concur with him in this opinion, and have accord-
ingly so represented them.

Some of my friend’s observations on this minute species,
— made in the course of a correspondence concerning its
claim to be so considered, — will be read with interest.
“ Pallida is certainly not Candida [= sphyrodet(x\. I have
now seen, and know both well, and can readily point out
the distinctions. Pallida may be easily taken for a young
dianthus at first sight, having a smooth skin, with a rather

erect body, and long pellucid filiform tentacles The

basal rings on [? around] the arms of jyallida are even
narrower than in Candida^ and have no direct communi-
cation with the edge of the disk ; nor is there any appear-
ance of a spot; their colour is almost black, but with
a purplish tinge. The disk is quite transparent. The
original specimens were almost colourless, but later captm-es
were of a reddish buff, like some of dianthus ; and one of
tliese, not more than half an inch in expanse, produced
about a dozen young ones, about an eighth of an inch in
height, — slender little things, with tentacles almost erect.
They resembled their parent in form and colour, as far as
could be seen in such minute creatures. There was no
other Actinia besides the red pallida in the glass at the
time, and the young ones adhered to the side of the glass
vase, immediately surrounding the larger specimen, so that

I had no doubt of their origin I have more than

once suspected that pallida was merely the young of
dianthus : but surely the latter would not breed when only
half an inch high.” I may add that the characteristic
lines of blue, though minute, are a sufficient distinction of
the species.

THE PALLID ANEMONE.

81

In my limited opportunities of investigating this Ane-
mone, I found it impatient of light, and sufficiently loco-
motive. A specimen, adhering to the upper surface of a
flat stone, I put into a tea-saucer ; it immediately crawled
to the edge of its stone, glided round, and passed under,
till it was quite out of sight : it thus traversed about thrice
its own length in a quarter of an hour. I then turned up
the stone, and the animal presently crawled off to the
bottom of the saucer : closed all the time, except that the
tips of its tentacles were protruding.

Its manner of crawling was somewhat curious. It gradu-
ally distended a portion of its body, which then was swollen,
and quite pellucid, having a strange appearance, owing to
the white china shining through the tissues of the distended
portion. Then this part, being raised from the bottom so
as to be loose, was pushed out and took a fresh hold, and
the other half was rapidly pulled up to it, when the ante-
rior half began again to distend instantly, and proceeded
as before. The progress could be easily watched with a
lens, over the minute specks of the bottom. It was impos-
sible to witness the methodical regulffi-ity of the process,
and the fitness of the mode for attaining the end, without
being assured of the existence of both consciousness and
will in this low animal form. At night I found it had
marched about three inches, or twenty-four times its own
diameter, in six hours ; but its progress, while I watched
it, was much more rapid than this.

The only recognised habitat for Sagartia pallida is —
Dartmouth, E. W. H. II.

sphyrodeta.

PALLIDA.

dianthus.

a

ASTRuEACEA.

SAGARTIADJ^.

THE TEANSLUCENT ANEMONE.

Sogartia ^ura.

Plate III. Fig. 6.

Specific Character. ‘Wholly pellucid-white, without markings.

Actinia pellucida. Alder, Catalogue of Zooph. of N'orthumb. aud
Durh., 43.

Sagartia pellucida. GossE, Anuals N. H. Sei’. 3, vol. i. jo. 415.
jiura. Alder, in litt.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Rase. Adherent to shells from deep water : somewhat exceeding the
column.

Column. Perfectly smooth, without visible suckers. Substance puljiy.
Form cylindrical, a little higher than wide, when extended, but nearly
flat when contracted.

Dish. Slightly concave ; the margin entire.

Tentacles. Thirty or upward.s, arranged in aboirt three rows ; the inner
ones longest (about twice the diameter of the disk in length) ; diminish-
ing regularly outwards, the outei-most row being rather short. The inner
ones jre usually carried more or less erect, the outer arching downwards.

Mouth. Set on a small cone.

. Colour.

The animal is wholly without positive colour, except that the tentacles
have sometimes a slight tendency to become sub-opaque at each extremity,
when they assirme a white appearance in these parts. Occasionally a few
white lines occur on the column ; but these appear to be merely the edges
of the septa, seen through the transparent integuments.

Size.

About a quarter of an inch in height, aud one-sixth in diameter of
column ; expanse nearly half an inch.

Locality.

The coast of Northumberland. On old shells from deep-water.

THE TRANSLUCENT ANEMONE. •

83

This species I know only by the descriptions and figures
of Mr. Joshua Alder, who has kindly put into my hands,
not only the published ‘‘ Catalogue of the Zoophytes of
Isorthumberland and Durham,” in Avhich it first received
a name and place among our Anemones, but additional
notes in MS., and several original drawings. All these
I have used in my diagnosis and figure. Tlie name
“ i^ellucida," originally applied to this little animal,
having been preoccupied, Mr. Alder proposes that it should
be called “ jyura.'^

Little is known of its history. Its discoverer observes
of it, — “ It has occurred to me two or three times at
Cullercoats, on old shells, — crusted shells of Fiisus anti-
quus from deep wate].*, — nestling among the Serpulje and
Barnacles with which they were covered. It is so incon-
spicuous, when contracted, as to elude observation ; and it
was not till the shells had been some time in sea-water,
and the Actinia became expanded, that its presence was
detected. A* specimen kept in a va.se was very restless,
shifting its place continually, and often changing form.”

It seems to be somewhat rare. Mr. Alder has seen but
three specimens. Mr. B. Ilowse has obtained it once or
twice from the five-men boats, on the same coast. Ills
specimens were slightly larger than INIr. Alder’s.

sphyrodeta.

PUEA.

pellucida.

ASTRjEACEA.

SAGARTIAD^.

THE EYED ANEMONE.

Sagartia coccinea.

Plate V. fig. 4 : XII. fig. 4 {magnified).

Specific Character. Body rufous, with white lines ; tentacles pellucid,
ringed with white, marked at the foot with a black bar, and two triangular
black spots below it. ,

Actinia coccinea. Muller, Zool. Dan. Prod,; 231, No. 2792. Zool.

Dan. ii. 30 ; pi. Ixiii. figs. 1 — 3. Johnston, Brit.

Zooph. 2d Ed. p. 215.

Sagartia coccinea. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 3. vol. i. p. 416.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to shells, in deep water : little exceeding the column.
Outline irregularly cut and lobed.

Column. Smooth, without visible suckers. Substance pulpy. Form
cylindrical ; the height, when extended, twice the diameter ; the margin
tentaculate.

Dish. Flat; the margin entire. Outline circulai’, scarcely exceeding
the diameter of column. Radii distinct, smooth.

Tentacles. About sixty-four (in my largest specimen), arranged in three
indistinct rows, of which the first and second contain each sixteen — the
third, which is marginal, thirty-two. The inner rows are the largest, some
of the outermost being minute points. Compared with the average of
Anemones, they are short and thick, obtusely conical, and stand nearly
erect.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone. No distinct lip.

Acontia. Protruded freely, both from column and mouth.

Colour.

Column. Light brownish orange, marked with many white or whitish
longitudinal streaks from margin to base, more numerous below. These
streaks are of varying width, but are in general equal or superior to the
intermediate red spaces ; their edges are irregularly jagged. They are

THE EYED ANEMONE.

85

not formed by the edges of the septa, nor always correspondent with
them.

Disk. Light red. Each radius hears two white lines, — one parallel and
close to each edge, but separated from its neighbour by a fine line of the
ground colour : this gives an appearance as if every radius were divided
from its fellow by a pair of white lines. Among the tentacles the colour
of the disk becomes a rich and brilliant orange, which colour extends
in short lines between the tentacles over the edge of the margin.

Tentacles. Pellucid, colourless, with^ four
broad rings of opaque white, and a white tip :
the rings are obsolete on the hinder face. At
the foot of the front, a band of dark brown
divides the two lower white rings, the lowest
of which is succeeded by two triangular clouds
of dark brown.

Mouth. The radial lines end suddenly at the
edge of the mouth, which is sharp and abrupt.

The upper part of the throat is orange, but pre-
sently becomes a deep red-brown.

Size.

The largest I have seen is half an inch in
height, by about one-thii’d of an inch in diameter
when expanded.

Locality,

The north-west coasts of Europe. Laminarian and coralline zones.

I owe my acquaintance with this attractive little species
to the kindness of Mr. Charles W. Peach, who forwarded
to me, in April of the present year, four or five living
specimens attached to an old pecten-valve from deep water
off the Caithness coast. The same gentleman has since
favoured me with sketches of manifestly the same species,
which he made from the life, during his residence in
Cornwall. It was first described by Muller, in 1777, and
figured in his magnificent work on the animals of Den-
mark. Dr. Johnston included it in his second edition
of “ British Zoophytes,” on the authority of Edward
Forbes, who found it on the coast of Ireland, “on rocks

TENTACLE

{viewed end%vise and
frontwise).

86

SAGAIiTIAD^.

and sea-Aveeds;” but added no other information to tlie
description of Muller, which he quoted in the original
Latin. An expression in this, Avhich had puzzled me not
a little, became graphically descriptiA'e when I saw the
living animal. Muller says that the tentacles “ seem com-
posed of an eye furnished with exceedingly slender rings
croAvded together,” — a comparison which at first seems
little applicable to such organs. But, in fact, they are
frequently contracted into A^ery Ioav cones or Avarts ; Avhen,
vicAved from aboA^e, they present the appearance of a
number of fine rings surrounding the central point, very
much like the eye-spots in a butterfly’s AAdng. (See left-
hand figure aboA’e.)

The colony in my possession consists of one of the size
and character that I have described above, and several
minute ones around it, none of them so large as a small
pea. Since I have had them, tAVO or three more liaA^e been
produced from the largest, from the size of a grain of sand
to that of a poppy-seed. I believe all of these are the
result of a spontaneous separation of fragments from the
base, and not of a generatiA^e process. The most minute
displays its circle of tiny tentacles.

The outline of the base is exceedingly A^arlable : it
projects in ragged promontories and rounded points, Avhich
continually, though sloAvly, change their form and relatiA'e
proportions. From some of these, minute fragments sepa-
rate, Avhich soon become independent animals. It is
possible that the Actinia lacerata. of Sir J. Dalyell may be
this species ; but I rather incline to identify it Avith our
vicluata. The sinuous outline on which he relied rather
indicates a condition than a species.

Thoiigh the short conical form of the tentacles is charac-
teristic, yet occasionally they assume a lengthened slender
shape, their markings becoming evanescent. • JMiiller

THE EYED ANEMONE.

87

describes tlie animal as “ changing place by the aid of its
tentacles;^’ I find it rather given to wandering, but not in
this manner, which I have never seen an Actinia use (his
jjhrase congeneres’’ notwithstanding), but by the

extension and contraction of the base.

Ireland, E. F. : Caithness, C. W. P. : Cornwall, C. W. P.

miniata.

venusta.

COCCINEA.

viduata.

ASTRjEACEA.

SAGARTIAD.E.

THE CAYE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

Sagartia troglodytes.

Plate I. fig. 3 : II. 5 : III. figs. 1, 2 : Y.fig. 5.

Specific Character. Tentacles barred transversely ; marked at their foot

with a black character resembling the Roman letter B.

Actinia viduata,

Johnston, Mag. Nat. Hist. viii. 82. fig. 13.
E. Forbes, Ann. Nat. Hist. iii. 48. Couch,
Com. Fauna j iii. 75 (nec Muller).
viesemhryanthemum, var. Johnston, Brit. Zooph. Ed. i. 211.

troglodytes.

? elegans.

? explorator.
Sagartia troglodytes.

aurora.

Scolanihus sphcerotdes.

Johnston (after Price), Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2.
216. fig. 47. Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Polyt. Soc.
1851. 6. pi. i. fig. 16.

Daltell, Anim. of Scotl. 226 ; pi. xlvii. fig. 9.
Ibid. Ibid. 227 ; pi. xlvi. fig. 11.

Gosse, Linn. Trans, xxi. 274 : Tenby, 365 :
Manual Mar. Zool. i. 28 : Annals, N. H.
Ser. 3. i. 416.

Ibid. Ann. N. H. Ser. 2. xiv. 280 : Tenby,
356 (Frontispiece).

Holdsworth, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1855. pi. v.
figs. 1—3.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to holes in rocks, frequently detached : somewhat
exceeding the column.

Column. Smooth towards the base, but beset on the upper two-thirds
with suckers, which have a strong power of adhesion. Substance firmly
fleshy. Form cylindrical and much lengthened, in full extension, the
height many times exceeding the diameter. Margin tentaculate.

BisTc. Flat or slightly concave : the margin rarely undulate. Outline
circular. Radii strongly marked, and crossed by close-set transverse striae.

Tentacles. Numerous (amounting to two hundred or upwards in some
specimens), arranged in four or five rows ; the first row largest, and
decreasing gradually to the outermost ; in extension about as long as the
width of the disk, conical, bluntly pointed. The manner in which they
are carried varies in the diflSerent varieties.

Mouth. Generally elevated on a cone.

THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

89

Acontla. Long and very slender. Emitted reluctantly, and only on
great irritation.

Colour.

Column. Olive, of a greener or browner tint in different specimens,
marked with pale longitudinal stripes, widest and most conspicuous at the
base, where the longer alternate with shorter ones, all generally vanishing
towards the summit. The suckers for the most part pale.

Disk. Varied with black, white, and grey, in a delicately pencilled
pattern, that has justly been compared to the mottling of a snipe’s feather.
The pattern, which is pretty constant, is produced by the following
elements : — each primary radius is greyish-white from the K-mark of the
tentacle-foot, about half-way to the mouth ; then there is a patch of black
inclosing a spot of white (often very bright), and then a narrow line of
pale yellow or drab, edged with black, brings the radius to the lip. The
secondary radii have the same pattern, but more attenuated.

Tentacles. Pellucid grey, crossed by three (or four) broad rings of
pellucid white, of which the lowest is undefined, and is frequently tinged
with buff or orange. At the foot of each tentacle is a black mark con-

TENTACLE OF S. TROGLODYTES
(front).

sisting of a thick transverse bar, succeeded by two curves, the whole
bearing the form of the Roman capital letter B- This mark is very con-
stant and characteristic ; sometimes, though the form is preserved, the
outline is wholly filled up with black ; and sometimes, but very rarely, the
whole is nearly or even quite obliterated.

Mouth. Generally whitish.

Size.

Large specimens attain a diameter of an inch in the column, and^two
inches in expanse of flower : the height i^ sometimes two inches and a half,
but more commonly it does not exceed an inch.*

• Mr. Holdsworth, in one of his letters, has drawn a pen-and-ink sketch
of one which was protruding to a height of two inches from the sand at
the bottom of his tank ; and states that, as the sand was full two inches
thick, and that, to his belief, the troglodytes was attached, — it must have
been four inches long.

90

SAGAllTIAD.E.

Locality.

The coasts of England and Scotland. Hollows in rocks between tide-
marks.

Varieties.

* With chai’acteristic marks on disk and tentacles.

а. Scolopacina. The condition above described. (Tenby: Torquay.)
Plate II. Jiff. 5.

/3. Ilypoxantha. Disk and tentacles pinkish drab: the latter strongly
barred, with the B indistinct ; each tentacle full orange. (F. H. West in
litt.)

7. Badifrons. Disk ground-colour pale umber-broivn : tentacles wholly
pellucid grey. (F. H. West in litt.)

5. Alhicornis Disk, ground-colour French-grey ; tentacles wholly ojiaque
white. (F. H. W. in litt.)

** With characteristic marks on tentacles only.

б. Niffrifrons. Column greenish drab, duskier towards the summit.
Disk uniform blackish-grey ; summits of mouth-angles oi-ange-cream-
colour. Tentacles pellucid, for the most part marked with an undehned
long patch of opaque orange-cream-colour on the lowest third of the front;
above this three remote spots of opaque white on the front face. The
j3 distinct when searched foi*, but nearly mei-ged in the dark hue of the
disk. (Morecambe Bay.)

Fulvicornis. Column drab, blackish at the summit. Disk dull
umber; each radius with an undefined centre of black in the exterior
half; the interior third wholly drab, separated by black lines. Lip
narrow, orange. Tentacles short, remarkably blunt; numerous, in five
rows ; uniform oxiaque xiale orange ; the strong, and distinct. Between
the bases of the tentacles black radial lines are continued on a fawn ground,
which becomes orange marginally, with a pretty effect. (Morecambe Bay.)

rj. Pallidicornis. Column dull gi'ey, blackish above, becoming dull
rusty immediately at the summit. Disk dull sex^ia-bi'own ; the radii sepa-
rated by slender black lines : xn'iniary radii with a central white spot
broadly margined with black. Tentacles short, very blunt, set in five full
rows ; oiiaque dull cream-white, the front with a line of faint orange, and
a broad ill-defined strix^e of blackish down each side; each tipped with
a round dark spot. The U separated into its constituent halves, by a
dividing line of whitish. (Morecambe Bay.) Plate I. Jiff. 3.

6. Aurora. Agrees with a in column and disk, and in the form and
comparative fewness of the tentacles ; but the colour of these organs
is brilliant orange, with the B rather ill-defined. (Tenby : Torquay )
Plate 111. Jiffs. 1, 2.

THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

91

I. Jiuhicunda. Agrees with o in disk and tentacles (ncixrly) ; but ground-
colour of tentacles rose-red : column dull buff. (Torquay.)

K. Lilacina. Column greyisb-drab with faint longitucbnal bauds of
darker. Disk buff, the radii separated by delicate black lines. Tentacles
an exquisite light lilac,* with a white cloud at the lower part, succeeded
by a sti'onglj'-defined black IJ. (Boulogne.)

A. Melanoleuca. Column greenish drab. Disk whitish, becoming
orange on the central region. Tentacles divided into well-defined alter-
nate groups of semi-pellucid white and bluish black ; about five groups of
each colour, but not quite regular in extent : those of each hue are con-
spicuously ringed with a darker tint, and have the B thick and strongly
marked. (Morecambe Bay ; Boulogne.) Plate V. fy. 5.

ft. Prasina. Disk and tentacles transparent crown-glass-green ; primai’y
radii with a white spot, secondary with a white line. Lqi white. (Firth
of Forth ? Dr. T. S. Wright in litt.)

*** Without characteristic marks on disk or tentacles.

(Column drab.)

V. Flavicoma. Disk grey-buff, more positive on the lip ; tentacles warm
orange-buff; remarkably short, blunt, and stiffly set. (Boulogne.)

Auricuma. Disk pale orange, with an undefined dash of white on
some of the radii. Tentacles long, slender, pellucid rich orange. (More-
cambe Bay.)

o. Luna. Disk warm orange, with the central fourth white. Tentacles
elongated, opaque white, with an unbroken line of pellueid white running
down each side. (Boulogne. F. H. W. in litt.)

TT. Xox. Disk and tentacles blaek : the latter much attenuated, with an
unbroken line of grey running down each side. (Boulogne. F. H. W. in
litt.)

p. Eclipsis. Disk black. Tentacles opaque brilliant orange. (Morecambe
Bay. F. H. W. in litt.)

(T. Npethamera. As p in every respect, except that the black of the disk
ends abruptly at half-radius, the central portion being light grey. (More-
cambe Bay. F. H. W. in litt.)

T. Hesperus. Wholly pure white ; gradually acquiring colour in a con-
finement of some months. (Lundy. W. Brodrick in litt.)

V. Nolilis. Disk deep violet-blue. Tentacles rich orange. (Cheshire
Coast. Lady Oust in litt.)

From the above list it will be readily perceived that
there is no species of our native Anemones that approaches

* I describe it as I see it ; but Mr. West, to whose liberality I am indebted
for this, as for so many specimens of this species, informs me that it is
now in a deteriorated condition. Originally it was a very rich full lake or
dark lilac.

92

SAGARTIAD^.

this in Protean variability. And yet there is, in general,
no diffienlty in determining the species ; the characteristic
B is an excellent note of distinction wherever it is present ;
and in those varieties in which it is obliterated in the
evanescence of the markings, as in vars. ya, v, o, or
merged in the abnormal spread of the dark hue of the disk,
as in vars. tt, p, c, v, the true character of the specimen
will be betrayed by the form and substance of the body,
the drab colouring of the column, or the tendency of the
tentacles to assume the orange hue.*

It is one of our most generally distributed species, rang-
ing apparently all round our coasts, from east to west, and
from north to south. It is also tolerably abundant, at least
in many of its localities, though less liable than some to
be seen by casual observers, from its habits of retiremept.
]\Ir. Price well characterised it, when he proposed for it the
name of troglodytes (“ cave-dweller,” from rpco^Xy, a cavern,
and 8vvco, to enter) ; for its favourite habit is to ensconce
itself in holes and crevices of the solid rock, into which it
retreats on alarm. In tlie shallow pools that floor the largest
of the caves at St. Catherine’s, Tenby, the vars. scolopacina
and aurora are abundant, especially the former, spreading
their pretty blossom-faces at the bottom of the clear water.
And yet it is not easy to discover them even when scores
are thus exposed ; for the mottled colouring of the disk and
tentacles is so like that of the sand and mud of the pools,
that even a practised eye may overlook them without the
closest searching. They often protrude the tentacles only,
clustered perpendicularly, through the mud, and sometimes
only the tips of these organs. Their concealment is aided
by the fragments of sand, gravel, and broken shells, that

* “ lu addition to these characteristics, I think the stout firm texture of
the base a fair mark, as it is not so readily injui-ed as in most species.
Also the comparatively slight adhesion, at least when you can get fairly
down to it : I think it generally yields to careful fingering.” (F. H. W.
in litt.)

THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

93

adhere to the suckers of the column ; these foreign bodies
are often present in considerable quantity, and are
pertinaciously retained for a long time, even in
captivity.

Its general resort is not very low; from ebb neap-tide
downward may be considered its range : but the var.
aurora affects a much higher level, habitually dwelling
near high-water mark, but then it is invariably in some
little hollow of the rock in which the water stands.

Several of the varieties have been found at ]\Iorecambe
Bay, by my friend Mr. F. H. West. He describes the
locality as “ a low, flat, sandy shore, remarkably dreary
and uninviting for the sea-coast, and without so much as
a rock in sight. The tide goes out a considerable distance ;
perhaps three-quarters of a mile, or even more, laying bare
an almost unbroken expanse of what is rather mud than
sand, very soft and tenacious. Towards the south side of
the Bay is a spit of firmer ground where a few stones are
uncovered, which can hardly be dignified with the name of
boulders, since any of them may be turned over without
assistance. Attached to these we find A. dianthus, both
the pure white and orange varieties, mostly young. In the
course of an hour we found numerous specimens of these,
several varieties of troglodytes, some rather pretty pied sorts
of crassicornis, and of course the commonmesemhryantliemum.
Several kinds of EoUs, as coronata, papillosa, Drummondi,
and pellucida, are found here : — Sal^ellce in abundance ;
and Sertularice, various. There are no rock-pools ; but in
the sandy hollows are Gobies, Blennies, Fifteen-spined
Sticklebacks, and Pipefishes ; not to mention young Con-
gers, that flop and flounder about when disturbed with
most unpleasant energy. . . . All the troglodytes,

including the orange-disked, present themselves through
the sand, much elongated, — the point of attachment being

94

SAGAETIAD^li.

sometimes three or four inches below the surface. They
are all equally sensitive, shrinking on the slightest alarm.”

Mr. Hohlsworth found the species under circumstances
which deceived him into the belief that it was a per-
manently free form, and he accordingly named it ScoIantJius
sphceroides.^ “ The specimens were found near low- water
mark, imbedded in the fine chalky mud which fills the
crevices of the rocks at Seaford, their expanded disks being
just level with the surface, but so nearly covered that only
a faint star-like outline was visible ; on being touched they
instantly disappeared; and so great was their power of
inversion and contraction, that on digging carefully, they
were generally found about one-and-a-half inch deep, and
having that peculiar bead-like form which has suggested
the specific name of sijhceroides. There was usually a
depth of six or seven inches of mud below them ; so that
they could not have been fastened to the rock ; and since I
have had them at home, now nearly five weeks, they have
not shown the least inclination to attach themselves to
the gravel, or glass sides of the tank in which they are
living ; three of them have burrowed into some sand on
which they were placed, but the others remain on the sur-
face and are but rarely contracted. Soft mud is probably
their natural habitat, being the most easily penetrated ;
and I could find no traces of any of these animals in a con-
siderable tract of sand only a few yards from the locality
Vv’hencc these were obtained.”

My friend was subsequently convinced that lie had been
misled by the appearance of the specimens : lie examined
them with me, and kindly gave me one of his original
specimens, and we were both convinced that they were of
this species. The apparent perforation at the rounded pos-
terior extremity could have been nothing more than the
* Proc. Zool. Soc. ; Mar, 1S55.

THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

95

contraction and approximation of the column around tlic
retracted base ; and we proved its power of basal adhesion
in the speeimen which came into my possession ; for it not
only attaehed itself by the entire broad base to the saucer —
and that repeatedly after having been removed — but during
the night marched several inches to seek shelter under a
shell. What had appeared to be an epidermis was nothing
but a ring of exuviated mucus, which was readily removed,
bringing away all the dirt, and leaving a clean smooth
Sagartia. The tentacle-feet displayed the B-mark, and
there seemed little to distinguish it from the normal
colouring, except the dingy drab hue of the column.

A specimen of the var. fulvicornis, in my possession,
when disturbed, assumed a globular form, with the base
contracted to one-sixth of an inch in diameter, and became
very buoyant. It thus strongly reminded me of Mr.
Iloldswor th ’ s sph CBro 'ides.

It seems the habit of the species to be very free ; and
this tendency more especially marks the mud-loving kinds
with a pale drab exterior. It is a common thing for one
of these to lie for weeks in a tank rolling loosely about
the bottom, alternately contracting and stretching its
column, and folding or expanding its tentacles at pleasure,
apparently quite healthy, and yet showing no inclination to
choose a settled residence. I have had many examples
with this habit, which, by and by, having sown their wild
oats, suddenly fix themselves, give up their vagrant ways,
and become sober housekeepers. Mr. Iloldsworth writes
me of one which, after six months’ captivity, has not yet
attached itself, but wanders about, like a restless spirit
without a home.”

The suckers are in this species very adhesive ; and in
this vagabond condition it is not rare for the Anemone to
moor itself temporarily, not by the base, but by these

96

SAGAKTIAD^.

organs ; sometimes by a few of the most anterior ones,
when the base is thrown up at an angle, in a somewhat
undignified fashion. Occasionally I have seen a specimen
which had attached itself thus to a stone, or the side of a
vessel, and had, by its own weight or other cause, removed
a little from its attachment, — still fastened by two or three
suckers, which were unnaturally stretched out to a length
of the sixth of an inch, and a proportionate tenuity, resem-
bling the suckers of a Holothuria.

Some observed facts indicate a considerable tenacity of
life in this species. On the 5th of October last ]\[r. West
inclosed in a small tin canister three specimens with a
little damp weed, but without water. The box was then
addressed to me, and committed on the same day to the
post-office at Leeds ; where, however, owing to the oozing
forth of a slight wetness, it was detained. In the course of
a few days I informed him that it had not arrived ; but my
friend residing out of the town, and my letter arriving on
Saturday evening, he was not able to obtain from the
over-scrupulous postmaster the suspicious missive, until
Monday morning, the 12th — a meek (within five hours) of
the animals' imprisonment. Of course he expected to
find them in a pretty advanced state of decomposition ;
but, on removing the lid, saw at once that the case was
not hopeless. They were immediately treated to the long-
foregone luxury of a bath of sea-water ; and though one of
them was hors de combat, the other two recovered, and lived
to bear the journey to Devonshire under better auspices.

To the same kind friend I owe the possession of the
lovely var. lilacina, and the following playful note of its
endurings : — “ It is one of the French consignment, and
has led almost a charmed life. Soon after my letter to you
[dated Jan. 27], written after their arrival, I fancied the
water in one of the vases was becoming foul, and therefore

THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

97

removed all the animals save one — the most valuable, —
which could not be found, and which I concluded was the
som-ce of the mischief. The vase stood, however, in an
empty room till last Tuesday [April 20], — so you may guess
the strength of the pickle, — when I emptied out the whole
kettle of fish, and found Monsieur at the bottom. He is only
the shadow of himself, and looks uncommonly seedy ; but
is a character, nevertheless.”

While ’writing this article, I have had an opportunity, for
the first time, of seeing the discharge of true ova from an
Anemone. In a saucer, containing a Corynactis and some
varieties of troglodytes^ that was standing on my library
table, I found, on the morning of the 28th of April, that
there had been deposited during the night an even layer of
pale brown substance on the bottom, so placed as to make
it uncertain whether it had proceeded from the Corynactis
or from one of the troglodytes. The mass was about as
large as a fourpenny-piece. A little taken up with a
pipette, and examined under a power of 500 diam., proved
to be composed of ova, opaque, perfectly globular, varying
from .0043 to .0051 inch (but the former was an unusually
small one) : they were mostly very uniform in size, viz.
.0050 inch. They had a clear well-defined edge, and not
the slightest appearance of cilia.

I removed the troglodytes to a clean part of the saucer (it
was the beautiful orange var. auricoma), and after a few
hours perceived that it was discharging more ova, which
were streaming over its lower tentacles, as it lay on its side,
but fully expanded. I therefore immediately transferred it
to a straight-sided glass box for closer examination.

As soon as it had expanded again after the shock of
removal, which it did in a few minutes, I began to watch
it. It was lying on its side, with its disk and expanded
tentacles near the glass side, and facing my eye. Many of

II

98

SAGARTIADiE.

the tentacles, especially those which were on the in-
ferior side, were occupied with more or fewer ova, some
having fifty or more, others half-a-dozen, others one or two.
In each case they were rolling up the interior of the ten-
tacle from the general cavity, and coursing to and fro under
the influence of the lining cilia, sometimes accumulating
temporarily at the tip, but never, so far as I saw, discharged
there.

On looking at the mouth, I perceived that the gonidial
tubercles of one angle were brought into contact with those
of the opposite angle, dividing the mouth into three tem-
porary orifices, two lateral and one central. The lateral
orifices, however, were at right angles to the ordinary line
of extension. Through each of these lateral orifices ova
were issuing, somewhat slowly, with an even motion evi-
dently ciliary, for the most part not in contact with the
sides of the tube, but coming up through its dark centre.
As each came into view, and deliberately rolled over the
edge of the orifice, it streamed across the disk, and over the
face of the expanded tentacles, carried clear of all by means
of the ciliary currents of these parts. The ova closely fol-
lowed each other, generally in single file ; but occasionally
two, or even three, were slightly agglutinated together.
Perhaps on an average about three or four in a minute
issued, but with many lengthened interruptions of the
continuity.

The process of egg-discharge did not continue long after
I began to watch it ; though tlie accumulations remained
in the tentacles. The next morning, those that had been
deposited were for the most part disintegrated, resolving
into an undefined mass of minute cells. A few only here
and there retained their outline. During the next day or
two, especially in the night, a few more were discharged,
which were a little larger than the former, averaging .0060

THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

99

inch. No result, however, followed the discharge, and
they soon decomposed.

Dr. Byerly, however, has succeeded in rearing the young
of this species ; hut from ciliated germs, not from ova.
Some specimens which he found numerous on the Leasowe
shore of the Mersey, threw off many germs, which could he
plainly seen through the skin at the hase. These made
their exit through “ breaches of continuity in the outer
envelope near its junction with the hasal disk, and some-
times through ragged apertures in the hase itself.” Tlie
germs were about as large as a pin’s head, perfectly
globular, and had a very sluggish motion. Three or four
were put into a wide-mouthed bottle and stopped : after
two months, one had developed a perfeet Actinia, the ten-
tacles being fully expanded. At the time of the record it
had lived six months ; but having never been fed, it had
not visibly grown.*

Since the former observations were made,- I have proved
this species (contrary to what has been asserted of the
Actinoids) to be hermaphrodite. The variety in this case
was the exquisite one I have named melanoleuca (see PI.
V. fig. 5), a large specimen received about a week before
from Morecambe.

On the 26th of May, this individual, on being put into
fresh sea- water, instantly made it turbid. I took it out in
the com-se of the day, and isolated it in a small glass tank
of clear water. Presently this also became quite turbid, as
if milk had been mixed with it, while clouds of the white
fluid were seen floating about the animal. On the vessel
being shaken, and again on my touching the Anemone, it
contracted ; and, on each occasion, a stream of white fluid,
almost as opaque as milk, shot up from the mouth, and
slowly diffused itself in the surrounding water.

* Edin. New Phil. Journ.; Jan. 185.5.

11 2

100

SAGAETIADiE.

With a pipette I took up a drop from one of the diffusing
clouds, and submitted it to the microscope. It was filled
with millions of excessively minute, but vigorously motile
atoms, clear and colourless, having an ovate body, and a
slender tail, which wriggled their little tails, and rapidly
oscillated from side to side, from the tail-tip as a yoint
d'ajjpui. This was the first time I had ever seen the sper-
matozoa (for such they assuredly were) of the Anemones.

The next morning, the water still continuing turbid, I
was about to pour it away, when I saw beneath the spot
where the Anemone had lain, a thick layer of cream-
colom’ed soft substance, well-defined in its outline. I took
up a little of this and examined it. It proved to be a mass
of ova. They agreed with those above described, being
mostly quite globular (though a few were distorted) ; the
majority closely alike in size, viz. .0058 inch ; but a few
were manifestly smaller, and measiwed from .0046 to .0048
inch. They were perfectly defined, with a distinct clear
wall, and olive granular contents.

When crushed with a graduated pressure to rupture, the
whole contents of each ovum were seen to consist of a vitelline
mass of minute oil-particles in an albuminous fluid, inclosed
in a very thin vitelline membrane. In a few instances I
detected the germinal vesicle with its germinal spot, some-
times by its clearness when the ovum was flattened, some-
times by its escape as a clear bladder from the ruptured
membrane : but in many examples I could not find it at all.

I removed the Anemone from the vase, leaving the ova
alone, in hope that they would develop, but they all
decomposed.

I may add, that since then I have seen the like discharge
of spermatozoa from a specimen of viduata.

I refer with hesitation the Actinia elegans and A. ex-
plorator of Sir John Dalyell to this species. The former

THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

101

he describes as of a reddisli-brown or orange hue, with
white (suctorial) spots, and well-barred tentacles ; the disk
generally crossed with a white line. The latter has more
of the ordinary aspect of a troglodytes.

Sir John Dalyell observed in the latter (which he named
explorator from the circumstance) the occasional elonga-
tion of one or two tentacles, which we have seen to be a
not uncommon phenomenon in this family. A specimen,
not half an inch in diameter, exhibited two tentacles
together, each of the length of an inch and three quarters.
In general, the elongation took place at night. From its
ordinary length of half an inch, each tentacle gradually
became two inches long, thickened and distended to
transparency. “ It is then seen rising from among the
rest, curving over to the opposite side of the disk, and as if
searching around.” After a while, it shrank back to its
former state.

Both of these (supposed) species were prolific. The
latter produced sixty young in one night ; which were pure
white, and large in proportion. Of the former, three indi-
viduals, in October, produced infusorium-like germs, which
were ovoid, and yellow-green in hue : some showed a long
transparent horn in front, visible as the animalcule pur-
sued a steady course ; behind it was open like a cap. They
presented much disparity both in form and size. They
swam actively by means of cilia. These germs continued
visible throughout October, but, though carefully preserved,
they led to no ultimate results.*

Since the earlier pages of this article were issued, I have
been favoured with an interesting letter from Miss Gloag,
of Queensferry, Fifeshire, who has long been a successful
cultivator of Anemones. I regret that limited space forbids
my giving her communication in extenso : I am compelled

* Rem. Anim. of Scotl. ; 226, 227.

102

SAGAKTIADJi:.

to select and abridge. This lady finds troglodytes abund-
ant on the Fife coast, in several varieties. Of these she
specially enumerates lilacina, of which eight specimens
have from time to time occurred ; Hesperus, two specimens,
and a third well-marked variety. One of the var. Hesperus
has been in Miss Gloag’s possession fifteen months : “ the
disk and tentacles are, if possible, whiter than snow ; only
at the extreme tip of each tentacle is it quite black. It is
a little gem of beauty.” This variety frequently elongates
two of its tentacles to the length of an inch ; when they
lose their opaque white colour, and become transparent, the
tip, however, retaining its black hue.

The new variety is very showy : it has a bright orange
disk, and perfectly black tentacles : thus reversing the
colours of Eclipsis. It may be added to the catalogue, as
var. (j). Pyromela.

Some of my lady -readers may be glad to avail themselves
of Miss Gloag’s experience in collecting. ‘‘ I find no diffi-
culty in digging the troglodytes out of the rocks or mud.
The instruments I use are long, thick hair-pins [of iron-
wire, i\th of an ineh thiek]. I am obliged to have them
made for the purpose ; but they are splendid, and seldom
fail to bring out the treasure unhurt. After getting my
fingers nearly skinned, I bethought me of hair-pins. When
I see a troglodytes that I wish to possess, I take one of these
strong pins in each hand, and as quickly as I can I put
the bent ends down the fissure as close as I dare to the
creature : when I think I have reached its base, I work
them gently but firmly towards each other, till I feel I have
detached the Anemone, when it is easily lifted out either
with the fingers or with the pins.”

More recently still, Mr. D. Kobertson has sent me from
Cumbrae an exquisite variety, of which I was at first
inclined to make a distinct species. It has the charac-

THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE.

103

teristic marks of troglodytes^ however, on disk and tentacles.
Column marked with longitudinal green bands on a pellucid
olive groimd. Tentacles very short and conical, pellucid,
with three transverse white bars, and three longitudinal
streaks of fine grass-green, reaching from the middle to the
tip ; one frontal, broad, the others lateral, nanower. Disk
pellucid olive, with a white lip. This variety I enumerate
as Prasmopicta.

All the varieties of this species are hardy in confinement,
and accommodate themselves readily to almost any kind
of bottom. Many observations (some of which have been
already mentioned) concur in showing its tenacity of life
under circumstances, such as long imprisonment in a box,
foul water, &c., that would prove fatal to other species. It
requires attention, however, in the aquarium, to preserve
it in condition. The more beautiful varieties, at least,
speedily degenerate both in size and colour, if they be not
frequently and regularly fed. They possess a healthy
appetite, and will greedily devour fragments of raw fish or
flesh, or of univalve or bivalve mollusca. Perhaps the best
food for all Anemones, and one that can generally be com-
manded, is the uncooked flesh of the oyster or the mussel.
It should be cut into small pieces, and guided gently to the
disk or tentacles of the Anemone, when fully expanded. If
the animal shrink from the food, and contract; or if it be
allowed to lie on the disk ungrasped, it will be of little use
to allow it to remain: remove the fi’agment, and wait a
hungrier moment.

If the food be gradually sucked in, its remains will be
disgorged in the course of a period varying from a few
hours to several days. Often it will appear little changed ;
but it has performed its part, and must be carefully removed,
or its decomposition will be likely to spoil the water, and
kill, or at least render sickly, the living tenants. The frag-

104

SAGARTIAD^.

ments may be removed by means of a bent spoon at tlie
end of a stick, by boxwood pliers sold for the purpose, or
by a glass tube closed at one end by the finger.

The following somewhat extensive list includes all the
British localities of this speeies that have come to my
knowledge : —

Wick, C. W. P. : Moray Frith, A. Robertson: Coast of
Fife, [J. G.) Gloag : Frith of Forth, T. S. W. :
Berwick Bay, G. J. : Cullercoats, R. Howse : Guern-
sey, E. W. H. H. : Dover, J. R. Mummery : Hastings,
C. K. ; E. C. Holwell : Seaford, E. W. H. H. : Selsey,
G. G. : Weymouth, W. Thompson: Teignmouth, R.
C. J.: Torquay, P. ff. G.: Falmouth, W, P. C.: Ilfra-
combe, G. T. : Tenby, P. H. G. : St. Bride’s Bay, H,
Given : Menai Strait, W. A. L. : Mersey Estuary, Hilbre
Island, E. L. W. : Birkenhead, J. Price : Morecambe Bay,
F. H. W.: Man, E. Forbes ; F. H. W.: Frith of Clyde,
A, B. C. : Cumbrae, P. R. : Belfast, E. P. W.

coccinea.

TROGLODYTES.

viduata.

ASTR^ACEA.

SAOARTIADjE

THE SNAKE-LOCKED ANEMONE.

Sagartia viduoia.

Plate III. fig. 3 ; VI. fig. 11.

Specific Character. Tentacles veiy extensile, very flexuous, indistinctly
barred ; marked with an uninterrupted dark line down each side.

Actinia vidnata.

? undata,
anguicoma.

? lacerata.

Jsacmcea viduata.
Sagartia viduata.

Muller, Zool. Dan. Prod. 231. No. 2799. Zool.

Dan. ii. 31 ; pi. Ixiii. figs. 6 — 8.

Ibid. Zool. Dan. ii. 30 ; pi. Ixiii. figs. 4, 5.

Price in Johnst. Brit. Zooph. 2nd Ed. p. 218 ; fig.

48. Gosse, Devon. Coast, 96 ; pi. i. figs. 9, 10.
Daltell, Rem. Anim. Sootl. 228 ; pi. xlvii. figs.
12—17.

Ehrenberg, Corall. 34.

Gosse, Linn. Trans, xxi. 274 ; Tenby 363 ; Man.
Mar. Zool. i. 28 ; Ann. N. H. Ser. 3. i. 416.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks, but readily detached. Considerably exceeding
the column.

Column. Smooth, slightly corrugated in contraction ; with distinct
suckers on the upper half. Subsstance fleshy. Form cylindrical; capable
of great elongation, in the shape of a tall and slender pillar. Margin
tentaculate.

Dish. Flat; the margin plane. Outline circular. Radii distinct; crossed
by fine stria).

Tentacles. About two hundred, arranged in five rows ; of which the first
and second contain each twelve, the third twenty-four, the fourth forty-
eight, the fifth ninety-six. Those of the first row are longest ; but there is
not so much difference between the rows in this respect as is the case with
the preceding species : those of the first row, when fully extended, are
longer than the width of the disk ; all are slender, tapered to a fine point,
and very flexuous. They are usually carried either arching downwards
on every side or sub-erect, and thrown into many irregular snaky curves.

Mouth. Set on a low eone. Lip thin ; slightly furrowed.

A contia. Emitted from various parts of the body, from the base to the
summit, occasionally ; but very reluctantly, and in small quantity : short
and slender.

106

SAGAKTIADiK.

Colour.

Column. Ground tint a light buff, sometimes merging into a warm fawn,
or wood-brown, at others into a flesh-hue, or even pale scarlet. This is
marked with longitudinal bands of paler hue, sometimes almost white ; the
bands being equal to the interspaces. As these bands approach the base
they become more defined, and the contrast between the alternate dark
and light hues is beautifully distinct, especially as they are separated by
slender jagged lines of very dark brown. The whole upper parts are
freckled with numerous brown dots ; and the suckers are generally inclosed
each in a little olive blotch.

Dish. Ground tint a dull whitish-grey, covered with a regular speckled
pattern, formed of the following elements. At the point where each
tentacle springs from the disk, the radius is marked by a long dash of deep
brown, or blackish, at each edge; the intervening space between the dashes
is occupied by a transverse band of pellucid greyish-brown ; two other
similar bands cross the radius at equal distances, but without the bounding
dashes. As the markings of the secondary radii do not coincide in posi-
tion with those of the primary, the result is the minutely chequered or

dotted pattern above spoken of. Go-
nidial radii often opaque white.

Tentacles. Translucent grey, marked
on each side with a line of dark brown
running through the whole length.
Occasionally a very faint ring of pel-
lucid white surrounds the tentacle near
its middle, and a second just above its
foot : the lateral lines are lightened at
these places, but their continuity is not
interrupted. They end abruptly just
above the junction with the disk.
Mouth. Greyish white ; with darker
[right side). furrows.

Size.

Average specimens in the button state are about five-eighths of an inch
in height, and the same in width of column ; the base covering an area of
nearly an inch in diameter. Such a specimen in ordinary expansion would
spread an inch and a half from tip to tip of the tentacles. But specimens
an inch and a quarter in height and width in the button are not rarely
met with.

Locality.

It is widely scattered over the European coasts. Where found it is
generally common, adhering to rocks and loose stones, between tide-marks;

• •

PIRATE rn

COLOURS BY biCKSS

1

2

8

4

5

I 2 SACARTIA TROGLODYTES. 4 5

3 S . VI DUATA 6

7 . 8 ADAMSIA PALLIATA

S PALLIDA
S PURA

THE SNAKE -LOCKED ANEMONE.

107

and is especially abundant on a sandy bottom in the laminarian zone, where
it appears to be nearly or quite free, since it is washed ashore by hundreds
after a gale.

Variety.

The only distinctly marked variety that I have noticed besides those
diversities of the general tint that I include in

a. Aleurops,* — the mealy-faced condition above described, — is

Melanops which has a broad well-defined band of deep black,
crossing the disk and tentacles ; just as if a dash of ink had been struck
across the w'hole flower ; including in its breadth three or four tentacles
of each row on each side. The band crosses at right-angles to the line of
the mouth ; the gonidial radii of which are white.

Sagartia viduata is somewhat liable to be confounded
with troglodytes ; and some varieties of the latter approach
it very nearly, especially when closed. But an experienced
eye will seldom be deceived ; the tint of viduata is a warmer
brown, generally mealy, or speckled ; that of troglodytes
tends to drab, smoky brown, or olive, and is not speckled :
the sti'ipes of troglodytes, when present, are closer, generally
naiTOwer, and rarely extend far from the base ; the suckers,
too, which are so obvious and so constantly used in troglo-
dytes, are inconspicuous in viduata, and rarely used for
attachment. Then, when expanded, the peculiar pattern
of each disk respectively does not merge into the other,
though in troglodytes it is apt to become evanescent : the
tentacles in this latter very rarely show obscure lateral
lines; in viduata these marks are constant and conspicuous:
the more slender form of these organs, and their tendency
to assume irregular curves, in viduata, are also a very good
distinction.

I have no hesitation in identifying the species which we
get so abundantly in Torbay, and wliich I have described
above, with Mr. Price’s anguicoma ; though that gentleman
has not noticed tlie characteristic tentacle-lines. Its re-

• ’'kXfupov, meal ; the face.

+ M€\as, black ; coij/, the face.

108

SAGARTIAD^.

markable power of elongation in the dark, alluded to by him,
I have often noticed. The finest specimen I have ever seen
used to stretch up at night in the form of a perpendicular
column, five inches in height, with a thickness of about
two-thirds of an inch ; from the summit of which the
numerous slender tentacles, arching outward on all sides,
and extended to extreme tenuity and translucency, gave to
the whole animal somewhat of the appearance of an elegant
palm-tree. This form I have endeavoured to imitate in
Plate III. fig. 3 ; though the engraver has not succeeded in
conveying an adequate idea of the shadowy character of the
tentacles, which look like a thin light blue cloud when seen
against a dark background. The more ordinary appearance
I have given in Plate VI. fig. 11.

But as little doubt exists in my mind that the species is
the viduata of the “ Zoologia Danica.” I have before me
at this moment specimens, which answer almost preeisely
to Muller’s description, even in such minute characters as
the number of the white bands (twenty-six in mine,
“ viginti-quatuor ” in his); the dark brown speck, with a
white dot in its centre — “ puncto pertuso ” — at the summit
of each main band; the slender evanescent line between
the bands — “ inter has strigas alia tenuior et pallidior ;”
the longitudinal dark lines of the tentacles — “ lineola
duplici longitudinal! obscurd ;” and even the minute
depression in the middle of each tentacle at its foot —
“ foveola versus basin all these points I trace readily ;
and while they do honour to the preeision of the great
Danish zoologist, they abundantly prove the identity of
om* species with his. AVhether his undata is not a variety
of the same, I am not sure.

The Actinia lacerata of Dalyell I also incline to identify
with the present, — from what he says of the colour, the
length, form, and contour of the tentacles, the card-like.

THE SNAKE-LOCKED ANEMONE.

109

al)ject flatness of tlie body in contraction, and the elonga-
tion at night.*

The name viduata (“ widowed ”) probably alluded to the
white and black lines, which seem to have been remarkably
contrasted in Muller’s specimen. Mr. Price’s name —
anguicoma (“ snake-locked ”) — is far more suggestive and
significant ; and I regret that the law of priority forbids
me to adopt it.

Mr. Holdsworth has found some curious anomalies in
the tentacles of a specimen in his possession. He first
observed that all these organs assumed a nodulous appear-
ance, being abruptly thickened into knobs at regular inter-
vals in their length. The phenomenon disappeared and
reciuTed several times, sometimes lasting two or three days.
About a fortnight after my friend had favoured me with a
record of this fact, he wrote me again as follows : — “ The
viduata that had the knobbed arms has taken a new freak,
and not being content with a normal number of tentacles,
must needs throw out branches from some of them. I
inclose a sketch of the most conspicuous.” From the
drawing it appeared, that while some of these organs were
but slightly notched at the tip, others were divided nearly
half-way down, the branches diverging in various degrees ;
■while one bifurcate tentacle had one of its branches cleft.
A similar phenomenon has occurred to my own observation
in Aiptasia, and in Anthea.

It is by no means common for either viduata or troglodytes
to emit the filaments, which I call acontia, from the loop-
holes of the column ; but I have "witnessed the fact on
several occasions. From the mouth they are protruded
much more readily. In both species they are crowded
with long oval cnidee about .002 inch in lengtli, and

* Rem. Anim. of Scotland, p. 228.

110

SAGARTIAD^.

under ; which discharge an ecthorceum about one and a half
times the length of the cnida, and densely bearded.

Of the increase of this species I have no information,
unless the lacerata of Sir J. Dalyell be truly identical with
it. He observed that this increases by spontaneous sepa-
rations of portions of its base. The outline becomes irregu-
larly sinuous, and the prominences gradually (in the course
of a week or two) become pinched off, maintaining their
connexion only by a very slender lengthened filament, not
in contact with the glass, hut free above it. Rupture of the
connecting thread at length takes place, and the independent
fragment ^develops itself into a young Anemone. The
laceration of the outline of the parent was always very
irregular and ragged. Above seventy were thus produced
in a year from a single adult.*

Sir John Dalyell could never detect any embryo or germ
inclosed in the portion of margin about to be separated :
and the careful experiments of Dr. T. S. Wright appear
conclusively to negative that hypothesis which would thus
explain the mode of increase by fission of the base. From
an attached individual of Actinoloha dianthus, Dr. Wright
cut a minute piece of the base, having first ascertained, by
careful examination of the part, which was perfectly trans-
parent, that no ovum or germ existed there. The part
immediately receded from the parent, and in three weeks
had become a perfect Anemone, with long tentacles. From
this small one he cut two other minute slips, which also
assumed the perfect condition ; and from the base of the
original adult fourteen other slips yielded the same results.
From these experiments it appears that all that is essential
to the process is tlie existence of a portion of each of the
tliree elementary tissues of the animal — the tegumentary.

* Op. cit. p. 228.

THE SNAKE-LOCKED ANEMONE.

Ill

the muscular, and the epithelial or ciliated lining-membrane
of the cavity.*

S. viduata is hardy in an aquarium, and needs no special
care or peculiar treatment. It expands principally diu-ing
the hom-s of darkness ; a shaded angle suits it best.

The following are the British localities in lyhich it has
been recognised : —

Felixstowe, 3Iiss M. E. Guille: Dover (rare), E. L. W.:
Guernsey, E. W. II. H. ; Bournemouth, Eev. J. Guille-
mard: Torquay (abundant), P. II. G. : Dartmouth, E. W.
II. 11. : Falmouth, W. P. C.: Ilfracombe, P. //. G.: Tenby,
P. H. G. : Menai Strait, J. P/ (abundant) TF. A. L. :
Puffin Island, E. L. TF. .• Mouth of the Dee, F. II. TF. .*
Dublin Bay, J. B. Greene ; E. P. TF. .* Belfast Lough,
TF. T.: Lahinch (Co. Clare), E. F.

troglodytes.

bellis. VIDUATA. [impatiens.]

coccinea.
parasitiea.

A. amacha.

A. cereus.

Edin. Phil. Journal, for 1856.

ASTRjEACEA.

SAOARTIAD^.

THE PARASITIC ANEMONE.

Sagartia 'parasitica.

Plate II. fig. 6.

Specific Character. Large, pillar-like ; skin coriaceous ; tentacles in
seven rows, marked with a many-broken line down each side.

Actinia effoeta. Rapp, Polyp, 54 ; pi. ii. fig. 2 (An Linnsei?).

parasitica. Couch, Zooph. Cornw. 34 ; Corn. Fauna, iii. 80 ;

pi. XV. figs. 1,2. JoHNST. Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2. 228,
pi. xli. Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Pol. Soc. 1851, 8,
pi. ii. fig. 11. Gosse, Aquarium, 144, pi. iv.
Tuowell, Manual, pi. vi.

Sagartia parasitica. Gosse, Tr. Linn. Soc. xxi. 274; Ann. N. H. Ser. 3.

i. 416.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent, generally to shells. Little exceeding the column.

Column. Minutely corrugated on the upper parts, but studded on the
lower half with numerous warts, mostly small, but a few among the rest
large and prominent. No apparent suckers. Substance firm, somewhat
coriaceous. Form, that of a thick pillar ; the height twice or thrice as great
as the diameter ; plump and rounded. Margin forming a slightly thickened
rim, minutely notched, scarcely rising above the level of the disk, and
obliterated when the disk is fully expanded.

Disk. Nearly flat, or slightly concave ; the margin somewhat mem-
branous, wider than the column, which it overarches; occasionally it is
thrown into puckered undulations, but only to a small extent. R^dii not
prominent.

Tentacles. Five hundred or upwards ; arranged in about seven rows, of
which the first contains about twenty, the second twenty-four, the third
forty-eight, the fourth ninety-six ; those of the other rows are too numerous
and too closely set to be enumerated. The first row springs from the disk
at about half-radius, — that is, midway between the lips and the margin
they occasionally stand erect, but more frequently arch outwards in
elegant overhanging curves. When distended, those of the first row are
often an inch in length, and one-eighth of an inch in thickness : the others
diminish in regular gradation, until those of the margin do not exceed a
line in length. Their form varies in different individuals, and perhaps at

THE PAKASITIC ANEMONE.

113

difiFerent times, sometimes being blunt and nearly cylindrical, at others
tapering to a fine point.

Mouth. The centre of the disk gradually swells into a stout low cone,
in the centre of which is the mouth, edged with a thick furrowed lip.

Acontia. White, long, and as thick as sewing-cotton ; projected on the
slightest irritation, and in the most copious profusion, both from the
mouth and from the loop-holes of the column.

Colour.

Column. Ground-colour, a dh’ty white or drab; often slightly tinged
with pale yellow ; longitudinal bands of dark wood-brown, reddish- or
purplish-brown, run down the body, sometimes very regularly, and set so
closely as to leave the intermediate bands of ground-colour much narrower
than themselves : at other times these bands are narrower, more separated,
or broken into chains of dark spots. Immediately around the base the
bands usually sub-divide, and are varied by a single series of upright oblong
spots of rich yellow, which are commonly margined with a deeper brown
than that of the bands. The whole column is surrounded by
close-set faint transverse lines of pale hue, sometimes scarcely
di.stinguishable, except near the summit, where they cut the
bands in such a manner as to form, with other similar lines
which there run lengthwise, a reticulated pattern.

Dish. Pellucid yellowish-white, often tinged wuth faint
purple about the half-radial region, and marked with a circle
of six squarish patches of opaque white.

Tentacles. Pellucid, faintly tinged with flesh-colour, cream-
yellow, or purplish; each marked with a dark purplish or
bro^vn line down each side, which is broken into about five
dashes. The sub-marginal rows, which from their minuteness
may be compared to a fringe, are frequently divided into alter-
nate patches of colour ; — a patch of pale tentacles, then one
of purplish, — six groups of each colour completing the circle.

These alteraations do not conceal the lateral lines of the ten-
tacles ; and though sometimes beautifully distinct, they are at tentacle
others scarcely perceptible. The pale patches correspond to (front).
the square spots of white on the disk.

Mouth. Opaque white, or cream -white.

Size.

It frequently attains a height of four inches, with a diameter of two and
a half in column, and three and a half in flower.

Locality.

The shores of the British Channel, the Mediterranean and Red Seas ;
in the coralline zone. For the most part adhering to such shells as are
inhabited by the Soldier-crab.

I

114

SAGARTIAD^.

Varieties.

Though subject to considerable diversity in colouring, I am scarcely
able to select any pattern sufficiently distinct, or sufficiently stable to
wari’ant its registration as a named variety, I have above defined the
limits within which, so far as my experience goes, the divergence extends ;
it seems mainly to consist in the relative proportions and arrangements of
the dark and light bands of the columns. One mentioned to me by Dr.
Hilton, of Guernsey, as having been found by him at Herm, seems more
worthy than any other of being considered as a distinct variety. It “had a
very light coloured body, and was beautifully marked with lilac spots.”
Perhaps I may venture to call it Amethystina. I have seen a specimen at
Torquay, in which the stripes of the column were dark crimson.

The keen eye and scientific zeal of old Ellis failed to
discover this species, notwithstanding its large size and
commanding appearance. Common as it is in some locali-
ties, it seems, however, to he quite unknown along the
eastern coasts of great Britain and Ireland, whence Ellis’s
zoophytic treasures were principally gathered. It was left
for Mr. R. Q. Couch, of Penzance, to indicate it as a British
species, though it had long heen known in the Adriatic
and Mediterranean seas.*

I have found it exceedingly abundant in Weymouth
Bay, — extending from the deep water of the offing even
into the narrow harbour, — but have never heard of its
being found within tide-marks, except in the instance of
the var. amethystina, above mentioned, which was found
attached to a stone at low-water mark. It is, as its name
imports, normally parasitic in its habits ; though not so
strictly but that wc frequently dredge specimens adhering
to stones ; and in captivity it is by no means uncommon
for an individual to detach itself from its native site and
adhere to the bottom of the vessel, or even to crawl up the
perpendicular side. Generally, however, it is found seated

* With Dr. Johnston I utterly and indignantly reject Linnaeus’s specific
names in the Actinoida, and with reluctance even cite them.

THE PARASITIC ANEMONE.

115

on some univalve shell, which is tenanted by a Soldier-crab;
young specimens on Turritella terehra, Trochus magus, T.
zizipliinus, &c. ; but adults, which are much more frequently
met with than the young, almost invariably on the great
Whelk {Buccinum undatum). The dredge, indeed, often
brings up shells invested by this Anemone, which are
empty ; but I believe that in every such case the shell
has recently been vacated by the Soldier, and that the
Sagartia never voluntarily selects either an empty shell,
or one tenanted by the living Mollusk, for his residence.

My friend. Dr. E. Percival Wright of Dublin, has
favoured me with a humorous sketch of the ways of this
loving pair, — Crab and Zoophyte, Arcades ambo, — which
bears on the matter before us. “ The following scene,”
he observes, “ was witnessed by my much lamented friend
Dr. R. Ball. One of the specimens referred to, attached
to the shell of a Buccinum undatum, which had from its
appearance been, in all probability, just deserted by a
Pagurus, was placed in a glass aquarium : in a short time
the Anemone left the Buccinum, and attached itself to the
side of the tank ; it next deserted this position and fixed
itself on the side of a large stone that filled the centime
part of the aquarium. After the lapse of some weeks, a
Hermit Crab was dropped into the tank (I think Pag.
hernhardus). Well, if these Hermits can’t live without
hiding themselves in the deserted shell of some poor Mol-
lusk, I think it is equally true that they can’t live happy
until they hide both themselves and their shells in some
quiet little hole in the rock -work of our aquaria, from
whence they can look out; and, thinking that the super-
imposed stone-work adds vastly to the strength of their
fortifications, experience sundry intense feelings of safety.
Be this as it may, the Hermit in question was not long ere
he walked up to a little grotto that was in the rock-work

I 2

116

SAGARTIAD^.

of tlie aquarium (quite close to tlie Sag. parasitica) ; and
after a sliglit survey to see tliat all was right, he turned his
left slioulder forward and ‘ backed in : ’ then he began to
whisk his antenna3 and foot-jaws in a dreadful manner, and
looked evidently quite content. I suppose this was a state
of things the parasite perched on the rock above had long
been waiting for ; for it was not long in moving its disk
over the top of the small whelk ; and before the Crab knew
where he was, tlie big Sagartia had pitched his tent on the
roof of the Hermit’s house. Where the Hermit Crab goes,
there goes the Sagartia; a quiet life it led before; a restless
one it has to lead now. But doubtless it knows what’s
best for it.”

The crab who sustains the honourable office of porter to
this species is invariably the brawny-limbed Paguriis hern-
liardus, as P. Prideauxii is favoured with the support of
Adamsia palUata. In the rude and blundering manner in
which the bearer performs his office, it cannot be but that
the poor Anemone sustains many a hard knock and many
a rough squeeze among the rocks and stones over whicli
his servant travels ; but he appears to bear these mis-
chances with great philosophy : I know of no species which
lives so constantly exposed. A rude shock will, indeed,
cause it to withdraw its tentacles, and contract its disk into
that button-like shape which is common to the tribe ; but
this is only for a moment ; it instantly expands again, and
remains full blown in spite of all its draggings hither and
thither. Its skin is peculiarly tough and leathery ; a
provision, doubtless, against the accidents to which its
vagrant life exposes it.

Mr. R. Q. Couch says that the favourite site for this
Anemone (in the neighbourhood of Penzance?) is on the
claw of the Corwich Crab {Maia squinado). Mr. Cocks,
however, says tliat in the neighboiu'hood of Falmouth it is

THE TAKASITIC ANEMONE.

117

never found on this Crab, nor on Pinna ingens, but fre-
quently on Pecten maximns, as well as on Buccinum xm-
datuni, and on stones.* I do not remember myself to have
ever seen it on a bivalve.

We have no species of Sea- Anemone which, to such an
extent as this, shoots forth those filaments which I have
called acontia, and which are undoubted weapons of offence.
On being rudely handled, or otherwise alarmed, from vari-
ous points of the body, particularly from the larger warts,
the loop-holes {cinclides) give issue to these threads, which
exactly resemble in appearance white sewing-cotton. They
arc often shot forth with force to the length of four or even
six inches ; and under circumstances of great irritation an
immense bundle of such threads is projected from the mouth.
Their interior end remains, however, attached to the cavity
wdience they issued, and they are soon withdrawn again.

JMost species of Anemones give out a rank penetrating
odoiu*, but it is more than usually offensive in S. parasitica.
It is communicated to the fingers on handling the animal ;
and repeated washings with soap, and even scrubbings with
a brush, scarcely avail to remove it. It is insufferably
nauseous.

S. parasitica, like its congeners, is by turns oviparous
and viviparous. To the former mode of increase ]\Ir. G.
H. Lewes bears witness. “ In the water of a pan con-
taining, among other animals, specimens of Actinia para-
sitica, I twice noticed abundance of light-purple ova floating
at the surface. Some, of these were placed in a vase by
themselves, and others left in the pan; but no further
development took place. One day, dissecting a, parasitica,
I found in its ovaries these very purple ova which had
attracted my attention,”!

]\Ir. Lewes doubts, however, that it is viviparous. This
point has been settled by my friend, j\Ir. F. 11. West, “ A
* Johnston, Br. Zoo25h. 228. f Sea-side Studies, 141.

118

SAGAETIADiE.

specimen,” he writes, “ which I received in December from
Weymouth, produced a young one on the 1st of JMarch
following ; it was most beautifully and distinctly marked,
and as dark-coloured as the parent, which was of the dark
reddish-brown variety. It was a pretty little creature, and
lived for five or six weeks, when I lost sight of it.” Mr.
Holdsworth also has met with the young of this species,
not more than a line in height, yet distinctly marked like
the adult.

As a proof of the tenacity of life of Anemones under the
privation of sea-water, provided the skin be preserved
from becoming dry by evaporation, I may mention the
following fact, which is valuable as bearing on the trans-
mission of these animals from distant localities. I inclosed
two large specimens of S. parasitica, two of T. crassicornis,
and one of A. dianthus, in a large jar, containing one or
two tufts of Chondrus crispus, but no water. The jar was
closed with a bung, but was not air-tight. The Anemones
remained thus imprisoned for ten days, wallowing in their
mucus and discharged water, which from time to time I
poured off. At the end of that time they were quite well,
and I restored them to the aquarium. Might not the
species fi-om North America, or those from the Mediter-
ranean, be transmitted to us thus inclosed ? I should add
that the experiment was performed in December.

The following are the known British habitats of this
species. Guernsey, Herm, J. D. H.: Jersey, O. H. Leioes:
Weymoutli, P. H. G. : Teignmouth, R, C. J. : Torquay,
P. IL G. : Falmouth, W. P. G. : Penzance, R. Q. Couch :
Bantry Bay, E. P. If"

viduata.

y

bcllis. PARASITICA. A. palliata.

B. coronata.

ASTUTE ACE A.

SAGARTIAD.E.

THE GOLD-SPANGLED ANEMONE.

Sagartia (?) chrysospJenium.

Plate VI. fiy. 8.

Specific Character. Column green, with lines of golden-yellow dots :
tentacles pellucid, with green bars.

Actinia chrysosplenium. Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Polyt. Soc. 1851, 5;

pi. i. fig. 17. Johnston, Brit. Zooph. Ed.
2, 214 ; pi. xxxvii. figs. 1 — 3.

Sayartia (?) chrysosplenium. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 3. i. 416.

GEXERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to stones : slightly exceeding the column.

Column. Smooth, studded with numerous scattered suckers (or loop-
holes), resembling punctures. Form shortly cylindrical, becoming conoid
in contraction.

Disk. Smooth.

Tentacles. Few, nearly equal in size, rather short, stout, and obtusely
pointed.

Mouth. Set on a roundish cone. Lips slightly puckered or imperfectly
furrowed.

Acontia. None have been observed.

Colour.

Column. Green, varying in tint from a bright pea-green, to that of a
dark holly-leaf ; marked with longitudinal bands of spots of a rich golden
yellow ; a line of the same golden hue margins the base.

Disk. Yellowish-brown ; gonidial tubercles bright golden yellow.
Tentacles. Pellucid, sometimes nearly white, crossed by ti-ansparent
green bars.

Size.

About an inch in height ; the diameter of the base and of the flower
three quarters of an inch ; that of the column five-eighths of an inch.

Locality.

The coast of Cornwall. Under-surfaces of stones at extreme low water,
and rock-pools.

120

SAGARTIAD^.

To Mr. W. P. Cocks, of Falmouth, to whose scientific
research our zoology is largely indebted, Dr. Johnston
owed the admission of this species into his “ History of
British Zoophytes.” I am under obligations to the kind-
ness of the same gentleman, who has favoured me with
some additional notes on the species, and a beautiful
coloured sketch, which I have copied in Plate VI.

The generic position of this beautiful form I indicate not
without doubt. The short conical tentacles, crossed with
bars, suggest a relationship with Tealia / and this affinity
had occurred to its diseoverer, who in one of his MS. notes
has added the words, — “ allied to crassicornisy On the
other hand, the marginal line around the base, and the
gonidial tubereles being distinguished by a different colour
from the rest of the animal, while agreeing inter se, suggest
Actinia, of whieh these peculiarities are characteristic.
There is, too, a well-known variety of A. mesemhryan-
thenium, whieh is green, marked with lines of yellow dots,
and of this circumstance I ventured to remind Mr. Cocks.
Ilis reply was as follows : “ In the A. mesemhr. var. the
stripes and spots are as in cJirysosplenium, but several
shades lighter, and the labial tubercles, as well as the
edging of the base, are bright blue ; the tentacles arc
uniformly of one colour, and are much more numerous,
slender, and tapering.”

The character of the surface, however, decidedly separates
it from both the Actiniadoe and Bunodidee. ]\Iy friend had at
first written, — “ Suctoreals numerous, scattered, embedded ;”
but he afterwards added the following particulars : — “ When
I examined the body of the cJirysosplenium with a lens of
two inches’ focus, the surface appeared to be pierced or
punctured, and in appearanee resembled a piece of smooth
India-rubber when pierced with a pin ; not the slightest
trace of tubercles apparent. Tlic body when contracted

TIIK GOLD-SPANGLED ANEMONE.

121

was as smootli as before ; not papillatecl ; and the apertures
were nearly obliterated.”

Until I have an opportunity of personal examination, T
therefore assign to the speeies a place in the genus Sagartia ;
but I consider that it is one of the links which connect this
with the neighbouring families.

On the history of this lovely little Anemone I can only
quote what has already been published. “ The old ones
are solitary, not more than one on a stone : but there are
two or sometimes four growing on the same stone. . . .

I have had some in my possession for weeks, well supplied
with water and air daily ; yet the tubercles and edging
were obdurate, determined to keep to their original colour.”
I must hope that the zeal of our Cornish zoophytologists
will before long make me personally acquainted with the
pretty Gold-spangle.

The following localities are enumerated for it by Mr.
W. P. Cocks: — Gwyllyn-Vase, Pennance, Ilclford, St. Ives.

?

mesembryanthemum. ciirysosplenium. crassicornis.

?

ON THE SUBDIVISION OF THE GENUS SAGARTIA.

Fifteen species of the genus Sagartia have been described
in the preceding pages ; and I possess information more or
less definite concerning some five or six others, which I
have not seen ; whose history therefore, in hope of a fuller
acquaintance with them, I defer writing for the present,
but expect to be able to give some account of them in an
Appendix to this Volume.

122

SAGARTIAD^.

The species already described appear to me to be divi-
sible into four or five groups, which cannot, however, be
properly considered as higher than sub-genera, the charac-
ters by whicli they are distinguished being too vague to
afford a basis for generic rank.

The most typical group, and that for which, should the
genus be broken up, I would retain the name Sagartia,
includes the following species : — miniata, rosea, ornata,
ichthy stoma, coccinea, venusta, nivea. These have conspi-
cuous suckers, discharge acontia freely, attain only a mode-
rate elevation, expand the disk only a little beyond the
column, are for the most part painted with gay colours,
often in striking patterns, and in particular have the
column usually of a rich warm brown hue.

A group rather less typical than this, I consider to be
formed by the following species: — sphyrodeta, pallida,
pur a ; to which will probably be added most of the species
which I defer to the Appendix. These have no con-
spicuous suckers ; discharge acontia less and less abun-
dantly ; are in general destitute of positive colour, and
have a tendency to a colourless transparency. Nivea and
spJiyrodeta are the links which unite these two groups.
Should a generic name ever be required for this group, I
propose for it that of Tlioe, one of the sea-nymphs. {Hes.
Th. 245.)

Troglodytes, viduata, and parasitica may be associated
as a group departing still more widely from the typical
form. Their suckers are distinct, but minute ; their power
of emitting acontia varying (feeble in trog. and vid., strong
in paras.) ; their tentacles are generally streaked (only
occasionally in trog.) with lateral longitudinal lines ; their
column is marked with longitudinal bands of lighter and
darker colour ; they have the power and habit of greatly
elongating the column ; and manifest a proneness to become

SAGAKTIADiE.

123

and to continue detached. In these last two particulars
they approach the Ilyantkidce. Coccinea and parasitica
are the links of connexion between the first group and this,
though not inter se. In the event of re-distribution, this
group might receive the name of Cylista, from kvXiq), to
wallow about.

Beilis will probably be eonsidered by many as worthy
of generic separation. The slenderness and elongation of
its column when fully expanded, the salver-like expanse of
its disk, the small size, great number, and erowded arrange-
ment of its tentaeles, the undulation of its margin, as well
as the peeuliarities of its colouring, isolate it strongly from
its fellows. Miniata, from tlie undulation of its margin,
send, parasitica, from the eraterine form of its disk, and the
multitude of its tentacles, are connecting links with it in
their respective groups ; while bellis looks, as has been
already intimated, towards other genera, as Actinoloba,
Aiptasia, &c. It might be called Scyphia, from aKvj>o<i, a
drinking-bowl.

Finally, clirysosplenium is the most aberrant form that I
have included in the genus, so far as I am able to judge of
its peculiarities without personal inspection. Its affinities
I have just enumerated. If I had isolated it generically, I
would have named it Chrysoela, “ that which is studded
with golden nails,” from ')(pvco<i, gold, and y\o<;, a nail.

124

GENUS III. ADAMSIA (Eorbes).

Medv^a^ (Bohadsch).

Actinia (Adams).

Cribrina (Ehrenb.).

Base adhering to the inner lip of univalve shells ;
greatly expanded laterally in two wing-like lobes,
which, gradually advancing on each side, at length
surround the mouth of the shell, and meet on the
outer side of the body-whorl.

Column greatly depressed; margin forming a low
sharp parapet, with a distinct fosse. Surface smooth
towards the summit, striated or irregularly furrowed
on the outer (= lower) part ; pierced with loopholes,
which, on the outer (= lower) part, form permanent
warts. Substance fleshy.

Bisky long-oval, almost linear, smooth.

Tentacles numerous, sub -marginal, short, crowded,
imperfectly retractile.

Mouth protrusile, large, thrown into loose folds, but
not furrowed.

Acontia emitted freely and copiously.

The genus contains but one known species, A. pal-
liata.

ASTRJiACEA.

SAGARTIABAE.

THE CLOAK ANEMONE.

Adamsia imlliata.

Plate III. jiqs. 7, 8.

Specific Character. Body studded with purple spots.

Medusa palliata.
Actinia maculata.

carciniopados.
pi eta.

Cribrina palliata.
Adamsia maculata.
palliata.

Bohadsch, Anim. Marin. 135 ; pi. xi. fig. 1.
Adams, Linn. Trans, v. 8. Coldstream, Edin.

New Phil. Journ. ix. 236 ; pi. iv. figs. 6, 7.
Otto, Nov. Act. Acad. Nat. Cur. xi. 288 ; pi. 40.
Risso, L’Europ. merid. v. 286.

Ehrenberg, Corall. 41.

E. Forbes, Ann. Nat. Hist. v. 183.

Johnston, Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2. i. 207 ; fig. 44 ;
pi. xlii. figs. 1, 2. Gosse, Aquarium, Ed. i. 139 ;
Man. Mar. Zool. i. 27 ; fig. 38 ; Ann. N. H.
Ser. 3. i. 416.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Circular in youth ; dilating laterally with age, until the two sides,
curving round, meet and unite with a suture, forming a ring; adherent to
the mouth of turbinate shells of Gastropoda, which it sometimes invests
with a horny membrane.

Column. Exceedingly thin, low, and flat : the margin forming a low
sharp-edged parapet, with a distinct, but narrow fosse. Substance fleshy,
soft. Surface quite smooth for about one-third of the distance from the
margin to the edge of the base ; then it begins to be marked with fine
radiating depressed lines. These lines meet those from the opposite side,
where the two divisions of the body unite on the upper lip of the shell,
and alternating with them make a zigzag suture. The outer half of the
column is moreover generally thrown into irregular folds and puckers.
Loopholes numerous, large, pierced in the centre of slight elevations of the
skin, which are most conspicuous on the outer portions.

Dish. Very long and narrow, smooth.

Tentacles. Numerous, arranged in four sub-marginal rows ; nearly equal,
short, cylindrical, obtusely pointed, crowded, not completely retractile.

Mouth. Protrusile, long, oval : the lips thrown into coarse folds, but
not furrowed ; throat and stomach marked with close-set white furrows.

126

SAGARTIAD^.

In the only specimen in -which I have had .an opportunity of examining
the mouth with exactitude, there was only one gonidial groove, with its
pair of tubercles. And this was so placed, as to m.ake the bisecting line of
which it formed the termination, one at right angles to the lateral develop-
ment of the animal into lobes.

Acontia. Long and thick ; emitted in great profusion, on the slightest
irritation.

Colour.

Column. Sienna-brown, or reddish-brown on the outer portions, marked
with bluish longitudinal lines, and gradually melting into the purest white
on the upper third ; the whole studded with large round spots of the most
brilliant purplish-rose, which are most distinct in the middle third.
Margin surmounted by a line of delicate pale scarlet, crowning the parapet.

Disk. Pure white.

Tentacles. White, with a faintly-dark core.

Mouth. White.

Acontia. Rose-lilac, with the suture, formed by the edges of the
infolded ribbon, white.

Size.

Large specimens attain two inches and a half in diameter, me.asured from
edge to edge along the curve, as they adhere to the shell ; but the long
di<ameter of such individuals, if measured from the suture round the ring,
along the line of the disk, to the suture again, would be not less than five
or six inches. The height from the parapet to the surface of the shell is
about one-thii'd of an inch. Tentacles one-third of an inch in length.

Locality.

The coasts of Europe generally. Deep water. “ They seem to love a
muddy bottom, mixed with gravel and dead shells.” (D. R. in litt.)

Varieties.

a. Dhodopis. The condition described above. (Plate III. fig. 7.)

$. Cn7iopis. Whole body pure white ; imspotted (Forbes) ; or marked
with a few scattered, mostly minute, pink dots.'^(P. H. G.) (Plate III. fig. 8.)

The name of this genus was assigned to it by the late
Edward Forbes in honour of John Adams, who first
described the animal as British. It had, liowever, been
described and figured by Bohadsch before him, and by
many since, “ both at home and abroad,” and by no one
more accurately than Dr. Coldstream, the principal parts of
whose account are cited in Johnston’s “ British Zoophytes,”
(Ed. 2, p. 207.) The true character of the animal has been

THE CLOAK ANEMONE.

127

pointed out by myself in “ The Aquarium,” in which I have
tlius explained its manner of growth. — “ The Adamsia
is evidently an Actinia of a long-oval form, capable of
development in its long diameter into two lengthened
wings. Its instinct invariably leads it to select as its
support the inner lip of some univalve shell ; having ad-
hered to which, the lateral expansions creep along the shell,
following its suiface until they have surrounded the aper-
ture, and meet each other on the outer lip. Here the
meeting edges unite by mutual adhesion, and seem to grow
together ; yet the suture is always distinctly visible, both
by a slight depression, and by a pale line which assumes a
zigzag form, owing to the terminations of the body-strice
fitting into the interspaces of the opposite ones.”*

In Plate HI. fig. 8, 1 have depicted an individual, adherent
to the shell of Buccinum undatum, in which the lateral lobes,
though projected around the edges of the mouth of the
shell, have not yet met each other on the outer lip, but are
separated by a space of a quarter of an inch. And I have
seen a very young specimen, less than half an inch in
diameter, the outline of which was exactly like that of a
normal Anemone ; the lateral lobes not having yet com-
menced their extension. This little individual was adherent
to the inner lip of the shell of a Garden Snail {Helix aspersa) ,
which had been accidentally washed into the sea. A
Pagurus Prideauxii had selected the same shell as his
abode, and to his wanderings it was probably owing that
the shell had found its way into eight fathoms’ water, a
mile or two from land.

This manner of gi’owth is further illustrated by wliat
takes place at the disease and death of the animal. The
adhering base begins to peel off, and shrink away from the

* Aquarium; Ed. i. p. 139; et seq.

128

SAGAETIAD^.

shell. This process invariahly begins at the suture, and as
it goes on the suture divides, the lateral portions separating
more and more from each other hy shrinking ; thus reversing
the steps by which the annular habit was assumed.

So far as my own experience goes, the Adamsia always
selects for its support the inner lip of a turbinate shell.
Buccinum iindatuni I have generally seen chosen at Wey-
mouth, but not rarely the various species of Trochus ; and
a Helix I have already mentioned : xldams found it at
]\Iilford Haven, on Murex despectus (= Fusus antiquus) :
Thompson, at Belfast, on Bulla lignaria, as well as on the
larger Troclii : E. Forbes, at the Isle of Man, on old Fusi
and Trochi : Landsborough, at Arran, on Txirritella and
Buccinum. Mr. D. Kobertson sends me specimens from
Cumbrae, on Trochus umhilicatus.

I believe that the shell chosen is always tenanted by a
Hermit Crab, and that the species is invariably Pagurus
Prideauxii. In this my observ'ation coincides with those
of Dr. Coldstream, Thompson of Belfast, and Mr. D. Ro-
bertson. Forbes seems to throw doubt on the constancy of
this association ; having taken many specimens on the Manx
coast, the shells of which were not tenanted by any crab.
Similar examples have occurred to myself at Weymouth ;
but when we remember how readily the Pagurus leaves its
shell on alarm, and how terrifying the rough action of the
dredge-iron must be, it seems the most obvious mode of
accounting for the occasional vacancy of the shell, that it
has been just deserted by its frightened tenant.

The Adamsia itself in early life has the power of sliifting
its quarters. Forbes observes that it “ seems to change its
habitation according to its size : ” and I have liad two
young specimens in my aquarium, which crawled sponta-
neously from their shells, and attached themselves the one
to a stone, the other to the frond of a sea-weed. While

THE CLOAK ANEMONE.

129

•writing this article, Mr. D. Robertson sends me accounts of
two in his possession, which manifested the same propensity.
Each first detached the two lobes from the shell, which then
were thickened, and apparently hollow, »being much dis-
tended with water. The same evening, both began to
adhere to the side of the jar in which they were kept, by
their lateral lobes. Three days afterwards, the lobes were
“ still firmly and broadly adhering to the bottom and sides
of the jar.” Mr. Thompson, of Weymouth, has dredged
a specimen, which was adherent to a frond of Fucus
serratus. It was round, about as large as a shilling, and
flat, but “ with the appearance of a suture do’wn one side,
as though it had joined.”

Very frequently, there is found intervening between the
Adamsia and the shell to which it is affixed, a film of
membrane, of a homy texture, somewhat brittle, of a
translucent dark greenish-brown colour. After death this
film is found adherent to the surface of the shell, from
■vvffiich, however, it easily peels when dry. It invariably
extends beyond the margin of the lip, making, as it were,
an adventitious continuation of the shell, and following the
same general spiral direction. From several specimens
from the Frith of Clyde, for which I am indebted to the
kindness of Mr. D. Robertson, I have been able to learn
the nature and object of this membrane. In one of these
the shell of Trochus umbilicatus, full-grown and perfect,
had a great continuation of the membrane into a fictitious
body-whorl, as voluminous as the whole shell. In another,
the shell was that of Buccinum undatum, an inch and a
half in height. Here the membrane was confined to a
small film, sub-triangular in outline, continuing the front
margin of the outer lip, and a similar one continuing the
hind margin of the same ; each tjie production of a lateral
lobe of the animal, the two not having as yet attained the

K

130

SAGARTIAD^.

point of union. In a third beautiful specimen, sent me
alive, I found, after death, the membrane showing dis-
tinct concentric lines of growth. And these took exactly
the form of the outer edges of the two lobes, meeting
in the centre, where there was a representative suture.
The growth-line being curved, there was a delta at
the end of the suture ; and this was filled with a much
thinner film of membrane, showing that it was the last
made,

j\Ir, AV alter Gregor, of Macduff, has sent me a large
specimen which had in youth chosen a shell of Natica
sordida for its support. The shell is in no direction more
than one-third of an inch in diameter, but the adventitious
body-whorl of membrane measures (along its curve) two
inches and three quarters !

From these and other observations of my own, as well
as from information supplied by Mr. Robertson, it appears
to me manifest that the membrane is a provision for the
support of the growing Adamsia, when it has selected
small or broken shells.

Experiments, which I have detailed at length else-
where,* have satisfied me that the membrane is produced
by the Adamsia ; that it is an epidermic slough ; and that
it is composed mainly of chitine, having no calcareous
element. It cannot, therefore, in any respect, be regarded
as a corallum.

The membrane is not invariably present. In specimens
dredged in the Frith of Clyde, small or broken shells
appear to be usually chosen ; and these are enlarged, as I
have stated above. In AVey mouth Bay, however, where
the species was common when I was there in 1853, the
shell most commonly selected being the Great AA'helk, the

* Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist, for Aug. 1858.

THE CLOAK ANEMONE. 131

membrane is so unusual that I do not remember to have
ever seen it.

Pagurus^ Prideauxii seems to be as dependent on the
Adamsia, as the latter is on it. The only instance in
which I have heard of its having been ever found disso-
ciated from its friend, is the following, communicated to
me by Mr. Kobertson : —

“ Lately I dredged a small Pagurus Prid. unassociated
■with Adanisia palliata. After a few days I put it into a
jar with an Adamsia which I have had for some time.
I saw them six hours after ; Pagurus had left his
shell, and was perched on the top of Adamsia^ with his
fore claws among the tentacles. Next morning Pagurus
was dead, and Adamsia had quitted the hold of his
shell.”

This association, however, like so many other things
that the natm-alist is constantly meeting with, is unac-
countable. Why one species of Soldier-crab must needs
seek the companionship of this Anemone, while other
Soldier-crabs are able to live alone ; and why this species
of Anemone must needs associate with the Soldier-crab,
while other kinds of Anemone are solitary, I can by no
means answer. Nor is the diflSculty in any wise solved
by supposing — what we may easily grant — that each may
find advantage from the other’s presence. Dr. Lands-
borough pleasantly says, — “ In all likelihood, they in
various ways aid each other. The Hermit has strong
claws ; and while he is feasting on the prey he has caught,
many spare crumbs may fall to the share of his gentle-
looking companion. But, soft and gentle-looking though
the Anemone be, she has a hundred hands ; and woe to
the wandering wight who comes "within the reach of one
of them, for all the other hands are instantly brought to
its aid, and the Hermit may soon find that he is more

K 2

132

SAGARTIAD^.

than compensated for the cmmhs that fall from his
own booty.”

It is probable that Adamsia would be a dainty morsel
for the table. I have not essayed it, but the smell of the
fresh animal is very agreeable, resembling that of the
cooked flesh of the crab.

Beautiful as it is, it appears unlikely ever to become an
habitual tenant of om’ aquariums, as it cannot long endure
captivity. Its crab, too, seems peculiarly unable to survive
confinement ; and I do not think the Cloaklet will ever
live long dissociated from its companion.

Yet Sir John Dalyell seems to have been more suc-
cessful than I have been, if I may judge from the expres-
sion “ a long time ” in the following statement. One
which had detached itself from its shell “ diffused the
base on the bottom of a glass vessel, not unlike the
wings of a butterfly. But until it adheres, the base
remains a long time with its whole under surface merely
folded together.” He describes it as feeding readily, and
as greedy of worms.

According to the same observer, thousands of minute,
opaque, bright yellow globular germs are produced by the
species in July, August, September, and October; several
hundreds being discharged at once ; but no results followed
these developments in his experience.*

Rapp assigns Adamsia palUata to the Mediterranean
and North Seasrf MM. Koren and Danielssen mention it
as common in fifteen to twenty fathoms off the coast of
Norway.^; The following list includes its known British
habitats : —

AVick, Peterhead, C. W. P. : Moray Frith, TF. Gregor:
Guernsey, J. D. U. : AA’^eymouth Bay, P. H. G. : Torbay,

* Rare and Rem. Anim. of Scotl. ; 233. t Polyp. 58.

i Faun. Litt. Norv. ii. 87.

THE CLOAK ANEMONE.

133

P. H. G. : Falmouth, TT^. P. C. : Milford Haven, Adams :
Isle of Man, E. F. ; F. H. W. : Arran, D. L. : Cumbrae,
D. R. : Bute, Dr. J. Coldstream : Oban, Mrs. A. Murray
Menzies: Strangford Lough, Belfast Bay,*!!^. T.: Bantry
Bay, E. P. W.

?

PALLIATA.

S. parasitica.

134

OENUS IV. PHELLIA (Gosse).

Base adhering to rocks ; little exceeding the
column.

Column pillar-like in expansion ; the margin ten-
tacidate, without parapet or fosse. Surface smooth,
pierced with loop-holes ; partly clothed with a tough
epidermis, which is rough externally, firmly adherent
to the skin.

Bisk concave ; the edge not undulate.

Tentacles few, in more than one row ; barred.

Mouth not raised on a cone ; lip thickened.

Acontia discharged, but reluctantly.

ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIES.

Epidermis deu.se ; free and tube-like at the upper part ; its

surface not warted murocincta.

Epidermis dense ; firmly adherent throughout ; warted . grajfsa^ata.
Epidermis thin ; firmly adherent throughout ; not warted picta.

A STB. ACE A.

SAGABTIAD.cE.

THE WALLED COEKLET.

FhelUa murocincta.

Plate VII. Jig. 2 ; XII. Jig. 8 (magn.).

Specijic Charade)’. Epidermis dense; free and tiibe-like at the summit;
its surface not warted,

Phellia murocincta. Go.sse, AnnaLs N. H. Ser. 3. ii, 193.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form,

Base. Adherent to rocks ; slightly exceeding column.

Column. Cylindi’ical, pillar-like when expanded, slightly grooved longi-
tudinally, smooth, but partly clothed with a dense, rough, membranous
skin, which is firmly adherent from the base about half-way up, but there
becomes free, forming a loose firm sheath or tube, from which the animal
l^rotiTides its fore parts in extension, and into which it I’etii’es at will, more
or less completely. Surface of epidermis rough, but not warted. Height,
in full extension, double the diameter.

Disk. A deep cup, bounded by the thick feet of the inner tentacles.

Tentacles. Twenty-four, in two rows, twelve in each ; those of the first
row twice as large as the others, with which they alternate : variable in
form, sometimes strongly conic.al, stout at the foot, and pointed; at other
times nearly cylindrical and obtuse : they have a tendency to assume a
knotted appearance : they are generally carried hanging over the margin
with a double curve, like the branches of a chandelier ; but sometimes
those of the inner row stand erect.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone, so far as could be ascertained.

Acontia. Emitted .sparingly and reluctantly.

Colour.

Column. Exposed portion having a mealy appearance, produced by a
number of whitish longitudinal lines and dashes, more or less speckled
and interrupted by the ground-colour, which is pellucid yellowish grc}’.
Of these lines, twelve are] broader, and between these are about four
slender lines in each interspace. The margin becomes deep buff, pro-
ducing a depression of that hue when in the button -state.

136

SAGARTIAD^.

Epidermis. Pale buff, studded with dirty foreign matters.

Did:. Dull buff, marked with a white star, which is formed by a forked
line proceeding from the front of each primary tentacle towards the
mouth. Two broad white gonidial radii.

Tmtacles. Dark brown, pellucid, crossed by three narrow remote rings
of white. Where the foot of the tentacle unites with the disk, its radius
has a white patch, succeeded by two parallel, longitudinal, black dashes.

Mouth. Kich buff.

Size.

Diameter of column one-eighth of an inch ; height one-sixth ; expanse
of flower one-sixth.

Locality.

Overhanging rocks and sides of caverns near low-water mark, around
Torquay.

The large dark overhung pool at Petit Tor, which I have
more than once described, is a fertile nursery of marine life.
Though situated not much lower than half-tide level, yet,
from the volume of water which it contains, the constancy
of its fulness, the aspect, excluding the sun’s rays, and the
inclination of the rocks preventing evaporation, the rough
worm-eaten surface, both below and above the brim, is
always wet, always dark, and always crowded with Algte,
Sponges, Zoophytes, Worms, and Mollusks. This pro-
fusion of riches is not always, however, easily available ;
for though it stands in tantalising proximity to the eye of
the naturalist, it is quite beyond the reach of his hands,
unless he choose to Yvade into the pool and work in the
water breast-high.

On the 29th of June of the present year I essayed in
this manner to rifle the promising treasury ; and the result
by no means disappointed my expectations, though, from
several circumstances, it was difficult to work with hammer
and chisel. Among other things I obtained there this
new form.

THE WALLED COEKLET.

137

It has "been my custom, — and I recommend the plan to
brother and sister naturalists, — not to satisfy myself with
such creatures as I see on the spot, but to take specimens
of the rock at random for examination at home. I look
out for the dirtiest, roughest, most corroded parts of the
rock, at the lowest level that I can reach, and with the
chisel cut off small fragments. These I bring home,
and spread out, face upward, in shallow pans of clean sea-
water. After a few hours, say perhaps the following
morning, I carefully search with my eye, aided at intervals
by a lens, but without distui'bing the water, the surfaces of
the bits of rock, as well as the sides of the vessel ; and
thus I have obtained more than one new species, which
I might never have known otherwise.

For the actual discovery of the present species, I am
indebted to my little son, whose keen and well-practised
eye detected the tiny atom, as a form with which he was
unacquainted, on one of the fragments I had brought home.
Presently afterwards I discerned another specimen; and
these two are the only examples that have as yet come
under my notice.

The rough corky appearance of the epidermis in this
and the following species, suggested the generic name,
which is formed from 0e\Ao9, the cork-tree, and also its
bark. The specific appellation indicates the ehief distinc-
tion between this and the following species, the edge of the
epidermis encircling the summit of the animal when con-
tracted, as if with a wall. The force of the English
appellation is obvious.*

* I feel that I am arrived at a point where I need the kind consideration
of my readers. Popular as the cultivation of Zoophytes has become, there
are still many who prefer to call them by English names, the ladies in
particular. It is a natural and proper desire, and I wish to respond to it.
But no vernacular terms exist, by which the hitherto recondite subjects of
this work are known. What shall I do in this case ? Shall I use the term

138

SAGARTIAD.E.

In both this and the preceding genus we find a remark-
able development of the epidermic layer ; in Adamsia from
the base, to enlarge its support, — in PhelUa from the
column, to thicken its investing coat.

The investment is, as I have intimated, a tightly-adhering
epidermic layer, but free at the upper part, which stands
up as a thin, clear, firm tube, when the animal retreats. Its
substance is strong and tenacious, yet portions of it can
be torn away in shreds with a needle. These, under
a power of 600 diameters, show, in the clear parts, a
structureless membrane, which has a slightly fibrous
appearance, apparently only because of its foldings and
■wrinkles. The greater part is rendered opaque by the
foreign matters entangled in it, consisting largely of irre-

“ Anemone” throughout, employing an epithet to discriminate the families
from each other, a second epithet to discriminate the genera of each
family, and a third epithet for each species? “The Anemone:” “the
Warty Anemone “the Lined Warty Anemone “the Glaucous Lined
tVarty Anemone.” This ■would be an available mode, but would it not be
rei>ulsive and lumbering? Again, I might make new words — arbitrary
aggregations of vowels and consonants, — “ Farson,” “ Toler,” — words, if
words they might be called, without an etymology, and without a meaning.
I do not think this would be generally acceptable, though I might plead
precedent in scientific technology, — “ Rocinela,” “ Conilera,” &c. for
example.

A celebrated Greek orator is said to have coined only three words in the
whole course of his professional eloquence ; and, for the comfort of those
who should attempt the same again, it is added that the Athenian public
refused to swallow these. Yet it is much easier to make a Greek word
than an English one. I manuhicture “ Aiptasia ” an:l “Bolocera” boldly;
yet it is not without mi.strust that I see “ Ti’umplet” and “ Opelet” on my
pages.

In this dilemma, since the words must be made, I have thought that
they ought to be formed according to certain conditions. First, thej'
should be Saxon : “ Ilyanth,” “ Lucemary,” “ Cyathine,” are no more
English than if they retained their classical terminations. Secondly, they
should be significant : the new word should aid the memory, not tax it.
Thirdly, they should be consimilar in structure, since they are intended to
designate consimilar objects. Fourthly, they .should not, if possible,
exceed a dissyllabic length.

According to these rules, I have ventured to construct a series of verna-
cular names for the genera. Allowing “ Anemone ” to stand for Sagartia,
I have formed for each of the others a dissyllable, Saxon in origin, sug-
gestive of some prominent character, and ha'ving a common termination,
— viz. the English diminutive “ -let,” from lit, little. In accordance with
this plan. Plumelet may stand as the English repi’esentative of Actinoloha,
and Cloaklet of Adamsia.

THE WALLED CORKLET.

130

gular, clear granules, with some Alga-spores, Diatoms, and
here and there a cnida.

I removed, with a fine needle’s point and pliers, the
epidermis piecemeal. It was tough, allowing the xVnemone
and its hit of rock (as large as a filbert) to be lifted out of
the water by it, without giving way. Its adhesion to the
lower part of the column was very firm. As I removed the
loose free tubular portion, (the animal having retreated far
in at the earliest assaults,) I discovered free within its
cavity about half-a-dozen cgg-like germs, of a rich deep
orange colour; these, under the microscope, proved to be
covered with vibratile cilia, by means of which the germ
slowly swam. They were soft, ovate, '(Id inch long, by
•025 wide. One, on being crushed, was resolved into a
mass of minute round clear granules, — fat-corpuscles ?

When the whole epiderm was removed, I detached the
animal from its adhesion in a small hollow of the lime-
stone ; not without the discharge of a thick mucus from the
base, and the emission of a single acontium from the lower
part of the column. The animal was now reduced to an
abject flatness, and looked like a miniature S. viduata in
its greatest contraction.

In a day or two it attached itself to the rock again, and
even crawled a little way. It now expanded freely, and
looked just like an ordinary Sagartia ; but did not renew
the epidermis.

The only locality as yet known for the species has been
already indicated: — Torquay, r.H. G.

?

A. palliata. :\iueocincta. E. carnea.

gausapata.
picta.

ASTRjEACEA.

SAGARTIADjE.

THE AYAETED COEKLET.

Phellia gausapata.

PL.VTE VII. fig. 1.

Specific Character. Epidermis dense ; firmly adherent throughout ; wai’ted.

Phellia gausapata. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 3. ii. 194.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Fokm.

Base. Adhei’ent to rocks : scarcely exceeding column.

Column. Cylindrical, pillar-like when expanded ; smooth in extension,
but in contraction becoming coarsely corrugated, so as to present large
irregularly rounded knobs or warts. To this a dense epidennis is firmly
adherent throughout, having no free margin ; and, being modelled on it,
it is covered with coarse warts or knobs ; “ resembling, when contracted, a
straw bee-hive.” {C.W.P.)

DisTc. A deep cup or funnel.

Tentacles. Sixteen, arranged in two rows, eight in each : those of the
first row twice as thick and long as those of the second, with which they
alternate ; variable in form, sometimes being conical and pointed, at others
short, rounded, and even slightly inflated at the tips.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone : lip thickened “ as in dianthus."

Acontia. Freely dischai-ged from the base ; long and veiy slender.

Colour.

Column. Exposed portion pellucid white, with sub-opaque whitish longi-
tudinal streaks.

Epidermis. Pale yellowish, with darker warts ; the separation of which
in extension causes the general tint to appear lighter, and vice versd.

Dish. (No note has been taken of its colours.)

Tentacles. Pellucid drab, with the lower part and a broad .ring near the
tip dark brown, undefined : pix)bably there is also an intermediate ring of
paler brown.

Size.

Diameter of column half an inch ; height three-fourths of an inch.

Locality.

Rocks at low-water : extreme north-east of Scotland.

THE WARTED CORKLET.

141

By a curious coincidence, on the very day that I disco-
vered the preceding species, the post brought me a living
specimen of the present, from Mr. C. W. Peach, of Wick ;
and so the extreme north-east of Scotland and the south-
west of England conspired, at the same moment, to
augment our native Actinologia^ each with a species of
a genus entirely new to scienee.

The kindness of Mr. Peaeh had, it is true, sent me
a specimen of the same animal before this, viz. in the
preceding May ; but it had arrived dead, and in so
advanced a stage of decomposition, that I had not been able
even to form a conjecture of its characters. Observation of
the species is even now very defective ; for though the last
specimen sent arrived in health, and continued for upwards
of a month to live in my possession, yet, during the whole
of that period, I never saw it expand sufficiently to enable
me to describe either its tentacles or disk. For the above
description I am largely indebted to the notes and sketches
of Mr. Peach.

The distinction between PhelUa gausapata and P. muro-
cincta is slight; and future observation may resolve the
two species into one. The distance of their respective
localities, however, renders their identity less probable.

The specimens were obtained from very narrow fissures
in a rock called Proudfoot, at the entrance of Wick Bay, in
Caithness. This rock is accessible only at the low water
of spring-tides. The first specimen obtained, which was
much larger than the second, remained unattached for
several days, while in Mr. Peach’s possession, but appeared
healthy. The smaller one sent to me remained adherent to
its original fragment of rock for more than a month ; at the
end of which time I lifted the base from its attachment.
It was in doing this that I saw the acontia copiously
discharged from the offended base.

142

SAGARTIADiE.

When received, several young algse, — one apparently
a minute Laminaria, another a Rhodymenia ;palmata, —
were growing from the upper margin of the epidermis ;
a fact which is of value as showing the persistency of this
investment, which, moreover, was not separated during the
subsequent period of the animal’s captivity.

The trivial name of this species I have formed from the
yausape, or rough frieze coat which the Koman soldiers
wore in cold weather.

The only known locality for this Phellia is, as above
stated, — AVick, C. W. P.

?

GAUSAPATA.

murocincta.

picta.

ASTB^ACEA.

SAGARTIADjE.

THE PAINTED CORKLET.

Phellia ^icta.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate XII. fi<j. 1 (maf/n.).

S^jecl^c Character. Epidermis tliiu ; firmly adherent throughout ; not
warted.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION,

Form.

Base. Adherent ; scarcely exceeding column.

Column. Cylindrical, pillar-like when expanded, capable of great elonga-
tion; permanently smooth; clothed with a very thin membranous epidermis,
which is not warted, but carries minute extraneous matters entangled in
it. It is wholly adherent, and extends about half-way up the column.

Dish. Nearly flat or slightly concave.

Tentacles. Thirty-two, arranged in three rows, 8, 8, 16, = 32 ; thick,
long, and bluntly pointed ; one or two of the first row often much enlarged
temporarily, and standing erect, the rest sub-horizontal.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone ; but the lip very protrusile; thin.

Acontia. Not observed.

Colour.

Column. Pellucid white, with opaque white streaks.

Epidermis. Transparent and colourless.

Dish. Delicate yellow ; bounded by an irregular circle of dark brown,
formed by a broad band crossing the foot of each tentacle; the whole
crossed by radial lines of pure orange which spread between the tentacles ;
— a beautiful pattern.

Tentacles. Pellucid white, the front face crossed by three bands of
opaque white.

Size.

Diameter and height, in ordinary expansion, one-eighth of an inch :
expanse of flower one-sixth.

• Locality,

North-east coast of Scotland : old shells in deep water.

144

SAGARTIAD.E.

Since the preceding article ■was in type, I have received
the little Corklet above described ; ■v\-hich diflers so greatly
from the others, that I must either regard it as specifically
distinct, or else consider all three as constituting a single
species, subject to an unusual amount of variation. 1 have
no right to assume the latter conclusion, and therefore
prefer the former.

The only specimen that I have seen was sent me by the
kindness of !Mr. AValter Gregor, of Macduff, near Bantf,
•v\’ho obtained it, in October, from deep water, adhering to
an old shell of Cyprina Island ica. “ When put into a
basin of water,” observes its discoverer, “ it lengthened
itself to a great extent without throwing out its tentacles.
Before doing so, it assumed a globose form, and expanded
very slowly, Avithdrawing its tentacles on the least agitation
of the water.” When it came into my own possession, it
adhered very readily, and expanded with great freedom ;
feeding eagerly on raw meat. The epidermis, which is
very delicate, can be detached in shreads without difficulty :
it holds minute atoms of sand in its substance.

It is a brilliant little species, and I have named it from
its beauty of coloration.

The only recognised locality is — Banff, IB. O.

PICT A.

gausapata,

murocincta.

145

GENUS V. GREGORIA (Gosse).

Base not broader than the column.

Column a low pillar, strongly invected, very in-
flatable in irregular lobes ; the margin forming an
irregularly undulate parapet, separated from the ten-
tacles by a deep but narrow fosse, which is never
obliterated. Surface smooth, but becoming trans-
versely wrinkled in contraction ; without suckers ;
perforated with few, but very conspicuous loop-holes ;
these are arranged in longitudinal lines, on the swell-
ings, which correspond to the intersepts. Substance
pulpy.

Dish plane; not exceeding the column; smooth,
without conspicuous radii.

Tentacles moderately short, blunt, unicolorous ; not
perfectly retractile.

Mouth set on a cone ; lip thin ; two gonidial grooves,
each with a pair of small tubercles.

Aconlia emitted sparsely.

L

ASTRJ^.ACEA.

SAGARTIAD^.

THE EYELET.

Gregoria fenestrata.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate VII. jig. 3 ; XII. fig. 7 {magn.).

Specific Character. Column green, with purple lines ; tentacles red.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

In addition to the characters given on the preceding page, I may add,
that in my specimen, (which may be immature,) the perforations are veiy
visible, with a lens ; there are about six in an intersept, of which five
are placed in quick succession near the summit, and one remote near
the base : they are not found in all the intersepts, from two to fom- im-
perforate ones intervening between those which are pierced. Under mag-
nification the perforations are rounder, and less eyelid-shaped than in the
Sagartice; they have a distinct granular layer exterior to them, though
then’ outline is in some cases very clearly defined, and even thickened.

The tentacles are about forty-eight, aiTanged in three rows; all sub-
marginal : their form is nearly cylindrical, with veiy obtuse tips.

Colour.

Column. Translucent glaucous green, very pale; each longitudinal
furrow marked by a line of deep reddish-purple, decided but not well-
defined ; the loop-holes are each surrounded by a ring of the same colour.

Disk and tentacles. Dull red, pellucid; exactly as in the common
varieties of A. mesetuhryanthemum.

Mouth. More decidedly lake-red. Throat glaucous.

Size.

Column about one-sixth of an inch in height, and one-fifth in diameter ;
expanse of tentacles one-third.

Locality.

The Scottish coast near Banfl’ ; half-tide level.

Mr. Walter Gregor, of Banff, (after whom I have named
the genus,) has just favoured me with this little Anemone,

THE EYELET.

147

whicli is highly interesting, as presenting a link which
connects Sagartia with Actinia, The disk and tentacles
are exactly those of meseinhryanthemum ; and the texture
of the column, and its style of colouring, arc such as to
give the impression that the most familiar of our Actinioi'ds
is before us. Yet, on examination, the perforation of the
integument, the presence of acontia, and the absence of
spherules, indicate its place among the Sagartiadee. At
the same time, its indifference to contact, and its permanent
expansion, — for it seems not to have the power of retracting
the tentacles, — are peculiarities which ally it to the mem-
bers of the following family.

I have seen but a single specimen, which may be im-
mature. The specific and English appellations allude to
the perforations of the column-wall, which are very striking.
It attaches itself readily by the base ; is constantly swell-
ing out part of its body in lobes ; and generally remains
wddely expanded, with the tentacles arching outwards and
doAvnwards. It feeds eagerly, and appears quite hardy in
captivity.

Only locality known — Banff, IF. G.

A. dianthus.

FENESTKATA. A. cereus.

A. mesembryanthemum.

148

FAMILY III.— ANTHEAD^.

In my “ Synopsis of the British Actinige,” (see Annals
of Nat. Hist, for June 1858,) I had associated Antliea with
Actinia, in one family, distinguished by the negative
character of lacking suckers, warts, and loop-holes. But
groups founded on negative characters are always unsatis-
factory ; and maturer consideration has convinced me that
the positive diversities of these genera are of sufficient im-
portance to warrant their separation into distinct families.

The members of the family Antheadce are marked by
a great development of the tentacular system. The tenta-
cles extend to a remarkable length, — in the typical genus
often reaching to twice or thrice the diameter of the disk, —
and are very flexuous. These organs have thinner walls
than usual, but are lined with a thick coat of comparatively
large pigment-grains of a deep brown hue. They show
a greater tendency to discharge the water which ordinarily
distends them, by contracting in diameter than in length,
the effect of which is, that these organs under irritation
collapse into a shrivelled or withered condition.

Another remarkable peculiarity is the almost total in-
ability to retract the disk and tentacles, and to close over
them the margin of the column, — tlie common mode in
which Actinioids seek protection from annoyance. It is
true that, on rare occasions, and when perfectly undisturbed,
I have seen both Anthea and Aiptasia in this retracted
condition ; but still, even then, there is a tenseness and
globularity in the covering column which is at once seen

ANTIIEAD^.

149

to be peculiar, and which suggests the notion that the
effect is produced more by the distension of the column
than by the contraction of the disk. In these cases, too,
the slightest touch (which, in a Sagartia or Actinia^ under
similar circumstances, would only cause a closer contrac-
tion) is followed by the instant recession of the column,
and the protrusion of the tentacles.

The whole body manifests comparatively little contrac-
tility. The shrinking of the parts from every touch, which
in the Bunodidce and the Bagartiadce, is so excessive, going
on even after decomposition has set in, and which is so
annoying and so baffling to the anatomist, prevails to a
far less degree in the Antlieadce ; and hence the family
presents favourable conditions for dissection. The power
of discharging mucus is also comparatively small.

Though ordinarily adherent by the base, the power of
adhesion is unwontedly feeble in the family ; the animals
can be detached with the slightest force, and often spon-
taneously free themselves. Both of our British genera
have the habit of frequently crawling to the brim of the
water, and then expanding their base upon the surface
and allowing it to dry, floating by means of it with the
body inverted, and the tentacles expanded in mid-water.

An attentive observer sees in the habits of the Antlieadcc,
and particularly in the lively and flexuous movements of
the tentacles, an indication of superior muscular power in
these organs, and also a higher degree of intelligence, or
at least of perceptive faculty, than the Sagartiadee possess.

Besides our own two genera, Aiptasia and Anthea,
one or two exotic genera must belong to the family.
If Mr. Dana has eorrectly described the Act. Jlagellifera of
]\Iadeira, it must be generically distinct, notwithstanding its
very close resemblance in figure and colour to the green
variety of Anthea cereus. lie speaks of the inner row ot

150

ANTHEADJi.

tentacles as fiu*nislied ^\’itli a retractile pencil of hair at the
tip* Nothing corresponding to this peculiarity belongs
to either of our species ; but it is so utterly abnormal, that
I camiot help suspecting some soiurce of illusion : and the
more, because I learn from Mr. Holdsworth, that Anthea
cereus is abimdant at Madeira.

However, the A. pustulata of the same author t must
certainly constitute a distinct genus of this family. It
appears to be essentially an Anthea, but with the column
covered with warts. It would form, therefore, an osculant
form, connecting Antheadce with Bunodidce; as our Aiptasia,
in its acontia and cinclides, links the family with the Sagar-
tiadcE.

The New Norwegian genus, Actinops{s,X must, I suppose,
be referred hither.

* Dana's Zoophytes, 126 ; pi. i. fig. 1. f Ibid. 12S j pi. i. fig. 2.

t Faun. Litt. Norv. ii. S9.

ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA.

Mouth noimal.

Skin smooth.

Column long, ti-umpet-shaped : furnished with

acontia and cinclides Aiptmia.

Colvimn short, broad : destitute of acontia and

cinclides Anthea.

Skin warted {Not British) “A. pustulata

Gonidial tubercles elongated Actinopsis.

151

GENUS 1. AIPTASIA (Gosse).

Anthea (Cocks).

Base adhering to rocks, readily detached ; often not
equalling the medium diameter of column.

Column trumpet-shaped, many times higher than
wide, very changeable in shape from irregular disten-
sion ; margin tentaculate; surface minutely corrugated,
adhesive, but without distinct suckers \ pierced with
loop-holes. Substance pulpy.

Bish greatly expanded, membranous, concave.

Tentacles in several rows, long, lax, irregularly
flexuous, perforate at the tip, the first row longest,
scarcely retractile.

Mouth not set on a cone ; lip thin ; stomach pro-
trusile.

Acontia abundant, but not often spontaneously
extruded.

The genus contains but one known species,
A. Couchii.

ASTRjEACEA.

ANTHEADjE.

THE TRUMPLET.

Aiptasia CoucMi.

Plate V. fig. 3.

Specific Character. Body smoke-brown ; disk marked with pale blue
lines.

? A ctinia biserialis. Forbes, Ann. N. H. Ser. 1. v. 182 ; pi. iii. Johnston,

Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2. i. 221 ; pi. xxxvLii. fig. 1.
Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Pol. Soc. 1851, 6 ; pi. i.
fig. 18.

Anihea Couchii. Ibid. Rep. Cornw. Pol. Soc. 1851, 11 ; pi. ii. fig. 30.

Aiptasia amacha. Gosse, Annals Nat. Hist. Ser. 3. L 416.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks, I’eadily detached ; dilated, but smaller than
the middle of the column.

Column. Slender just above the base, enlarging upwards, dilating at the
summit into a wide hemispheric cup or trumpet-shaped disk ; four or five
times higher than wide ; the form susceptible of great and rapid changes
from irregular distension. Margin formed by the outer row of tentacles.
Substance pulpy. Surface minutely corrugated in the ordinary condition,
but smooth when fully distended, pierced with loop-holes ; without visible
suckers, yet capable of adhesion.

Bisk. Thin and membranous, greatly expanded as a broad concave cup.
Outline circular, but lax, and often imdulate, or even revolute. Radii
strongly marked.

Tentacles, Arranged in four rows : the first row containing six, set
at half radius, remote from each other, and from the second row ; when
fully extended, an inch and a- half long ; the other rows diminish gradually,
the outermost being about half an inch in length. All, especially those of
the first row, very lax, flexuous, frequently thrown into sinuous curves,
perforate with a lai’ge terminal aperture.

Mouth. Lip thin. Throat irregularly furrowed. Stomach- wall occa-
sionally protruded. Two gonidia, scarcely rising into tubercles.

THE TllUMPLET.

153

AcorUia. Abundant; copiously protruded from the mouth or from
wounds ; occasionally also, but sparingly and reluctantly, from loop-holes.

Colour.

Column. Warm orange-buff, richer at base, blending into a bluish-black
hue where it expands into the cup-like disk : the entire length marked
with longitudinal faint lines, indicating the insertions of the septa.

Disk. Dark iron-grey, becoming ashy towards the centre : each radius
bounded by lines of pale greyish blue.

Tentacles. Sepia brown ; but seen under a low magnifying power to be
of a warm umber, more or leas decided, minutely mottled with darker :
the colour usually softens into white at the extreme tip of the tentacle.

Mouth. Lip and throat ash-grey.

Size.

When fully extended the column is sometimes four inches in height, and
from an eighth to three-fourths of an inch in diameter. Expanse of flower
about three inches.

Locality.

The Channel Islands and Cornwall. Under surface of stones at low-
water mark ; deep water.

In tlie latter part of March of the present year (1858),
Dr. Hilton of Guernsey found on the shores of that island,
and kindly sent to me, several specimens of an Anemone
new to him, and equally so to me. The locality, the colour
of the disk, and much in the form and contour of the animal,
at once suggested the Actinia hiserialis of Edward Forbes,
for which species I was on the look-out.

Not long after this, I was indebted to the courtesy of
Mr. Sydney Hodges, the Secretary of the Koyal Cornwall
Polytechnic Society, for other specimens of the same species
from Falmouth, which were sent under the persuasion that
they were A. hiserialis. Still so much diversity existed
between the specimens (those from Guernsey and Falmouth
perfectly agreeing inter se) and Forbes’s description, that I
could not but consider the point very doubtful. At tlie

154

ANTHEAD^.

same time, if I were quite sure that the specimens in my
possession were identical with that described by Forbes, I
should be compelled to reject his sj^ecific name as involving
important error. The tentacles can in no sense be called
biserial : there are four distinct rows, which are regularly
graduated in length, and which show no other distinction ;
the appearance indicated by his figure (supposing it to
represent the present species) being quite illusory.

But on examination I found peculiarities in the animal,
which required its generic separation. The most promi-
nent of these were its form, the length and flexuosity of its
tentacles, and its permanent expansion. In two of these
characters, as well as in several other points which I shall
presently notice, it manifested so close an affinity with
Anihea cereus, that I should not have hesitated to include
it as a second species in that genus, had not the presence of
acontia, and their extrusion through cinclides, indicated a
nearer approach than is made by that species to the family
Sagartiada. I therefore ventured to describe it under the
name of Aiptasia amacha / the generic appellation referring
to its permanent expansion, from aet, always, and Trerao),
to expand ; and the specific to the patience with which it
bore pushings and pokings without unsheathing its weapons,
from a, priv., and gdyogaL^ to fight. The English name
refers to its trumpet-like form.

Subsequently, however, I have found that the species has
been well described and figured by Mr. W. P. Cocks, in
his valuable List of the Actiniee of Falmouth, published in
the Report of the Cornwall Society for 1851, under the
title of Anihea Couchii, which specific name takes prece-
dence of mine. It is true, in his description, mention is
made of three white lines extending longitudinall}^ up
the column, of which no trace exists in my specimens ;
but by a coloimed drawing with which Mr. Cocks has

THE TRUMPLET.

155

favoured me, I perceive that these lines -were not equidistant
and symmetrical, hut all close together on one side ; a cir-
cumstance which at once shows their presence to have been
accidental, and of no value as a character, while in every
other respect, even in the most minute points, his drawing
and description agi'ce with my specimens.

At the same time it is interesting to observe that
Mr. Cocks did not consider his specimens as the A. hise-
rialis ; for he describes this separately in the same list, as
“ not uncommon.”

Mr. S. Whitchurch, of Guernsey, informs me also that
there exist at Herm Actinias, which are commonly spoken
of as “ the yellow and blue varieties of A. hiserialis,'^ so
that a species may yet turn up which will justify the
description of that form ; and at all events it would be
rash at present to accuse so excellent a zoologist as
E. Forbes of incorrectness, on the known premises.

The present species seems to be found in considerable
abundance in its recognised localities, especially Guernsey
and the contiguous little isle of Herm ; appearing chiefly to
afiect the under sides of loose stones at the level of lowest
tide, to which it adheres with a very slight attachment.

When the animal has been some time deprived of water,
— as in transmission by post, — it has a very abject appear-
ance, shrivelled almost to shreds of blackisli membrane,
which, when immersed in sea-water, lie helplessly on the
bottom, ragged and hideous, discharging brown pigment.
Presently the tentacles begin to fill, and one by one to
assume plumpness, and to move slowly; and gradually, after
some hours, the animal presents a more life-like appearance.
The extremities of the tentacles remain collapsed, and
apparently withered, long after the greater part of their
length has become plump, the divi.sion between the one and
the other condition being abrupt. The distension begins

156

ANTHEAD^.

from the bottom of the tentacle, and passes up very slowly,
occupying many hours.

When once it has adhered, and recovered its health, its
elegant postures and forms, and its remarkable versatility,
make the Aiptasia an interesting occupant of the aquarium.
It marches from stone to stone, and around the walls of its
tank, frequently creeping to the top of the water, and ex-
panding its base upon the sm-face, almost or even quite
floating, while the disk and tentacles, widely expanded, are
suspended below in mid-water. In these habits we see a
close resemblance to Anthea cereus, as also in the texture
of the body, and in the tentacles, which in both genera
are lined with a profusion of dark-brown pigment-granules,
which are readily separated.

Occasionally I have noticed that it has the power of
adhesion to foreign bodies by the general sm’face of the
column ; a habit common to several of the Hyantlndce, (as
the Halcampce, for example,) but which, I think, is not
possessed by Anthea.

When in full vigour it towers up to the height repre-
sented in the figure, when, with its ever-twisting tentacles
and semi-pellucid tapering column, it is a very elegant
object. When thus greatly elongated, the loop-holes are
plainly seen with a lens. I have been able to thrust the
point of a fine needle into one and another of these orifices,
without meeting any resistance ; and, by using great care,
without the animal’s being conscious of it ; when it did feel
the touch, however, it suddenly contracted.

Under these and similar irritations, it contracts in length
by successive spasmodic jerks, but makes no attempt to
roll in the margin of the disk, or to hide the tentacles in
any way. Yet it has the power of involving the disk. It
feeds greedily, tlirowing the margin in folds over the mouth.
After a full meal, I have seen it take the sliape of a ripe

THE TKUMPLET.

157

fig, the lower half of the column greatly attenuated, Avhile
the upper half was as greatly distended, but with a con-
striction between the swollen part and the trumpet-like
expanded disk.

The appearance of the animal varies exceedingly. Some-
times it lies utterly flaccid and withered, appearing as if
quite dead ; not contracted, but emptied of its water, and
the lax membranes collapsed. Then, especially at night,
it swells up, erects its broad disk, and stands up like a
flower after a shower, with a noble appearance. At such
times the tentacles are sometimes much distended, pre-
serving their regular conical form, and are of a much lighter
hue. They are then occasionally constricted with numerous
close rings, and take snaky curves. At times the long inner
tentacles are curled in ram’s-horn coils over the mouth.

One of the individuals in my possession has forked
tentacles ; one of these organs bifurcated at about half its
length ; another divided near the tip into three, of which
one ramification extended on each side horizontally, and
the third, wdiich was much smaller, followed the original
direction of the tentacle. This tendency is common to
Anthea cereus, and to Sagartia viduata.

That our AiiJtasia is tenacious of life will appear from
the following curious rencontre, to which a specimen in the
possession of Mr. Iloldsworth was subjected. “ Two days
ago,” writes my friend, “ on making my customary morn-
ing’s inspection of my family, I missed the Aiptasia. A
diligent search in all the crevices of the rock-work having
failed to discover it, I began to suspect foul play ; and after
administering the stomach-pump, in the shape of a stick,
down the throats of some fine specimens of hellis, I suc-
ceeded in dislodging the poor lost slieep, in a shapeless
mass of membrane and acontia, which were largely ex-
posed ; but the animal was too much injured to enable me

158

ANTHEAD^.

to say wliether these were emitted in the usual manner,
or exposed by a rupture of the integuments. The invalid
was removed to a separate jar of sea-water, (the best hos-
pital for sick Actinice,) and it is now attached to the glass,
which is, as you know, a good symptom, but I can hardly
pronounce it to be as yet quite convalescent.” Some weeks
after I received tidings that the invalid had “ perfectly
recovered from its involuntary visit to the interior of hellts."

As in Antliea, the non-retractile character is not absolute
in our Ai])tasia ; Mr. Holdsworth has repeatedly seen it
with the tentacles quite concealed, the body globose and
very pellucid, and the orifice long and linear.

The only localities I am as yet acquainted with for
Aiptasia Couclin are the following : —

Bordeaux Harbour, Guernsey, J. D. H.: Herm, 8.
Whitchurch: Gwyllyn Vase, Helford River, W. P. C.:
Falmouth, 8. Hodges.

The species before us forms a beautiful link of con-
nexion between the 8agartiadce and the Antheadce, pre-
senting very marked resemblances to 8. bellis and 8. viduata
in the former, while the preponderance of its characters
allies it with Anthea cereus.

S. bellis.

S. viduata.

A. COUCHII.

[A. rhodora.]

A. cereus.

II. chrysanthellum.

159

GENUS II. ANTHEA (Johnston).

Actinia (Ellis).
Anemonia (Risso).
Eniacmcea (Ehrenb.).

Base slightly adherent ; broader than the column :
its outline irregularly undulate.

Column forming a low thick pillar; the summit
expanding ; the margin notched, and bearing budding
tentacles, with no distinct parapet, or fosse. Surface
cancellated by the intersection of longitudinal furrows,
and transverse wrinkles. No suckers, warts, nor
loop-holes. Substance pulpy.

Dish membranous, very expansile, undulate at the
margin.

Tentacles numerous in several rows, sub-marginal,
very long, lax, irregularly flexuous ; scarcely retractile.

Mouth elevated on a low cylindrical wart.

Acontia wanting.

The genus contains but one British species. A, cereus.

ASTRjEACEA.

ANTHEADjE.

THE OPELET.

Anthea cereus.

Plate V. fir/. 2 ; VI. fig. 9.

Specific Character. Tentacles smooth, consimilar.

Actinia cereus. Ellis and Solander, Zooph. 2. Rapp, Polyp. 56 ;
pi. ii. fig. 8. Grube, Actin. 11.
sulcata. Pennant, Brit. Zool. iv. 102.

Anemonia edulis. Risso, L’Eur. M^rid. v. 289.

Anthea cereus. Johnston, Brit. Zooph. Ed. 1, 221. Ibid, Ed. 2, 240;

pi. xliv. Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Pol. Soc. 1851, 10;
pi. ii. figs. 23, 27. Gosse, Man. Mar. Zool. L fig.
37. Tugwell, Man. Sea-Anem. pi. vii.

Anemonia sulcata. Milne-Edwards, Hist. Nat. Corail. i. 233 ; pi. C. i.
fig. 1.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks, but with a very slight tenacity; dilated
considerably beyond the medium diameter of the column; the outline
generally undulate, often forming irregular lobes.

Column. Shaped like a dice-box, or a pillar, which is much dilated
above and below; when expanded, the diameter usually exceeding the
height ; the margin greatly overlapping, crenate, with numerous rounded
teeth, some of which are usually seen to be rising into incipient tentacles.
Surface marked with numerous longitudinal furrows, which are correspond-
ent with the insertions of the septa, and whose upper extremities alter-
nate with the marginiil crenations. In the ordinary state of extension,
there are also very numerous and minute transverse wrinkles, which cross
the furrows at right angles. Skin imperforate, and destitute of any
adherent power. Substance pulpy, or bladdery.

Dish. Thin and membranous, greatly expanded in the form of a broad,
shallow saucer, with the margin lax and undulate, often revolute. Radii
strongly marked; two gonidial radii often more conspicuous than the
others.

THE OPELET.

161

Tentacles. About one hundred and eighty, arranged in four rows; of
which the first, second, and third contain thirty-six each, the fourth
seventy-two. These numbers are, however, only approximative ; for the
crowded condition of the tentacles, the irregularity of theii- serial arrange-
ment, and the ever-vaiying distension of the disk, make it almost impos-
sible to count, much less accurately to distribute them into rows. They
are sub-equal in length ; but what difference there is, is a diminution out-
wards. All are very long ; those of the first row sometimes upwards of
four inches in length, and more than doubling the diameter of the di.sk :
they are slender, and taper uniformly to the tip, which is obtuse and as if
ti'uncate, or sometimes slightly enlarged ; very lax and flexuous, they are
almost alwaj's thrown about in irregulai’, snaky curves, intertwisting in all
directions. Their entire surface is very adhesive.

Mouth. Seated- on an elevation, which more commonly takes a cylin-
drical than a conical form ; sometimes large and tumid, at others small :
lip rounded.

Colour.

Column. Pale wood-brown, umber-brown, purplish-brown, or flesh-
colour, marked with numerous narrow bands alternately paler and deeper,
which correspond to the furrows ; sometimes the lighter bands are dull
light lilac, with darker edges.

Dish. Dark bistre-brown, or umber-brown; the gonidial radii often a
lighter shade of the same colour.

Tentacles. Light pea-green or emerald-green, opaque, with a rich,
satiny lustre ; the extreme tips, for about one-fourth of an inch, rich
lilac-crimson ; the green gradually blending into the lilac, and the latter
hue increasing in brilliancy to the extremity. A faint whitish line usually
runs along the back of each tentacle throughout its length.

Mouth. Lip agreeing with the disk ; throat ash-brown.

Size.

Large specimens are sometimes seen covering an area of six inches in
diameter, with their tentacles four inches long ; the disk two inches, and
the column the same, in diameter.

Locality.

The western and southern coasts of Europe generally. Shallow pools
between tide-marks, and littoral rocks.

Varieties.

a. Smaragdina. The state described above, with rosy-tipped green
tentacles.

M

162

ANTHEAD^.

)S. Sulphurea. As the preceding, except that the tentacles are pale
delicate lemon-yellow, with the slightest shade of green ; lilac-tipped.
(Herm : S. W, Ventnor.) In the Herm specimen, the tentacles were
scarlet at the foot.

y. Alaiastrina. Column and disk light translucent olive; tentacles
wholly clear waxy white. (Ventnor. Torquay.)

5. Rustica. Column and disk dull brown ; tentacles ash-grey, generally
with a paler line down the back.

e. Pwnicea. Tentacles mahogany-red. {Gaerbier.)

Antliea cereiis is one of our most abundant species, at
least on the south and west coasts of England and Scot-
land, and probably all round Ireland. Rapp and Grabe
indicate it as common in the Mediterranean and Adriatic
seas ; but the omission of any allusion to it by Muller or
by Sars implies that it is unknown in the North Sea. Its
abundance where it occurs, its habit of congregating in
numbers, and its favourite resort, — shallow pools within
tide-marks, protected only by a few inches of water from
the full glare of the sun, as well as its size and conspicuous
colours, — all conspire to make it familiar to the most cur-
sory observer. It would, probably, be one of the first
species of the whole race to become popularly known ; and
hence it is not sm’prising that old Rondeletius should take
notice of it in the middle of the sixteenth century, includ-
ing it in his “ Libri de Piscibus Marinis,” by the deserip-
tive epithet of Urtica cinerea.

The late Dr. Johnston separated the genus from Actinia
in his “ Brit. Zooph.” Ed. 1 ; giving it the name of Antliea,
from av6o<i, a flower. The specific name of cereus seems to
have been appropriated to it in accoi»dance with a fancy
which Ellis had of naming the Actinioids after many-
petaled flowers, — cereus being the name of one of the Cacti,
now a genus. The waxy appearance of the tentacles in
some of the varieties may have influenced him in the
selection. The English name I have formed for it alludes
to the habitually open condition of the disk.

THE OPELET.

163

This is the species, doubtless, which attracted the notice
of the poet Southey, when, in the retirement of om* wild
western shores, he was meditating his oriental poems, and
which he has interwoven into their beautiful imagery.

“ Meantime, with fuller reach and stronger swell.

Wave after wave advanced ;

Each following billow lifted the last foam
That trembled on the sand mth rainbow-hues :

The living flower, that, rooted to the rock,

Late from the thinner element
Shrank down within its purple stem to sleep.

Now feels the water, and, again
Awakening, blossoms out
All its gi’een anther-necks.” *

Whether in its native freedom, fringing the edges of
some shallow basin in the red sandstone of the Devon
coast, or waving its silky tentacles “ like streamers wide
outflowing,” now exposed, now concealed among the black
fronds of some undulating Fucus to which it is clinging ;
or throwing them into fitful snake-like contortions as it
hangs from the rock-work of a well-kept aquarium, — the
Anthea, especially the emerald variety, is an exquisitely
beautiful object. Its unwonted liveliness also makes it
more than usually interesting in the last-named condition ;
for not only are its tentacles continually in motion, but the
animal itself is very restless, frequently changing its place,
and that with so much activity that the process can be
readily watched by the eye.

For the following graphic note I am indebted to Mr.
llobert Patterson, of Belfast. I also have often marked the
beauty of Anthea under similar conditions, but never in
such numbers as he describes : —

“ I had on one occasion the pleasure of seeing the Anthea
under circumstances that I shall not readily forget. Out-

* Thalaba, xiL 3.

2

5

ANTHEAD^.

16-t

side the belt of sand and roeks that is left uncovered at
every tide [on the south side of Belfast Lough], is another,
where the large sea-weeds, such as the tangle and sea-
furbelows [Laminaria sp.), flourish. ... As our boat drew
nigh to the shore, the large spreading fronds of the sea-
weed became more and more distinct, until each was per-
fectly revealed to us, below the unruffled surface of the sea.
We had come at the time of low water; and, as we floated
onward, could mark the glorious submarine forest which
was beneath our boat. It rose and fell, it heaved and
sank, as gracefully as the meadow yields to the breeze, or
as the willows bow to the breath of April. As we came
into shallower water, the broad outspread fronds of the sea-
weed seemed studded with blossoms. What could they
be? A few moments more disclosed the mystery: each
blossom was endued with life and motion — it was a living
Anthea !”

The power exercised by this species, pre-eminently, of
inflating portions of its body, swelling them out in large
tumid lobes separated by deep sulci from the rest of the
circumference, assists it in crawling. We will suppose the
Antliea resting on the bottom of the vessel, when it feels
a desire to mount the sides of the glass. Pushing out
a great inflated lobe towards that side, the sole of which is
free from the surface, it takes hold of the glass with tlie
edge of the lobe ; and when the contact is firm, relaxing
its former hold, it slowly drags forward the body, until the
lobe is again lost in the general circumference, or even till
the body projects in two smaller lobes, one on each side
of the principal one. The base being now made firmly to
adhere, again the lobe is freed, and again protruded, and
the same process is repeated until the animal is satisfied
with the position it has gained. Sometimes this is at mid-
height, tlie intertwined tentacles streaming loosely down

THE OPELET.

165

by their own weight. At other times it rises to the very
water’s edge, and even thrusts out its base in an inverted
position upon tlie surface of the water, as if it would float
by the mere contact of the dry base with the air, just as the
Limnece and many other Mollusca do. And not seldom
does it boldly break the tie that connects it Avith the side
of the vessel, and actually swim, or at least passively float,
with its base in contact with the inferior surface of the

I

superincumbent stratum of air. A little shaking of the
vessel, however, causes the water to overfloAv the frail boat,
which had been hitherto dry, when the animal instantly
falls prone to the bottom.

No very special care is required to maintain the health
and vigour of the Opelet in captivity : as to situation, it
will select for itself the position its Avayward Avill may most
fancy ; and if the water be kept in purity, the lovely crea-
ture will survive an indefinite period. It needs to be fed
at frequent intervals, or it Avill droop and die ; for it is one
of the most voracious of its class. Nothing in the Avay of
flesh or fish comes amiss to it : a day or tAvo ago I had an
instructive example of its gluttony. I had just dropped
tAVO large ones of the variety Smarafjdina into my col-
lecting-jar, Avhen I succeeded in capturing a young Conger
Eel, about six inches in length and half an inch in thick-
ness. I Avish that the sciolists who deny a poisoning
power to tlie organs of the Actinioids had seen the' result
of the introduction of the lithe and vigorous fish to the
expectant Anthece. Before it could reach the bottom of the
jar, the green tentacles of one of the Opelets had entAvincd
themselves around its head, and, AAu-apping the wretch
around as if Avith a cloth, almost in an instant had dragged
it to the cavernous mouth, in Avhich it Avas partially
engulphed. My little son, Asrho Avas with me, begged for
the life of the fish ; and 1 drcAV it by force from the green

166

ANTHEAD^.

embrace, in less than five minutes after its capture. But —
de eo actum est ! it was all up with the poor Eel ; its eyes
were already dimmed in death, and it lay in my hand
flaccid and helpless, with only a momentary convulsion or
two ; — the fatal cnidce of the tentacles had done their
work : and when I restored it to the offended gourmand, it
was speedily lost to view, coiled up in the capacious maw.

Numerous witnesses vouch for the fact, — though others,
myself included, are insensible to it, — that the contact of
AntJiea'B tentacles has a perceptible morbific power on the
human skin. One of the most distinct statements of the
fact that I have met with is contained in the following
communication, for which I am indebted to Miss Pinchard,
an accomplished naturalist of Torquay : —

“I have myself been repeatedly so affected by their
clinging to the back of my hand as to have the skin
mottled, and so tender as to induce me to refrain from
willingly coming in contact with them. On one occasion
the whole of the back of the hand and fingers was covered
with white blisters, as if I had thrust it into a bed of
nettles, and nearly as painful. The affection did not last
above an hour or two, and only occurred when the AntJieas
had become flaccid and feeble, as they often do after a
short captivity. I have never found any effect arise from
handling them when they were in an active and healthy
state.”

Mr. Dana attributes to the kindred species, A. fiagelli-
fera, a power of making its terrors known even at a
distance. “ Having a number of Monodontas [a genus of
univalve Mollusca allied to our Trochi] too much crowded
in a large jar of water, I took out half-a-dozen and placed
them in a jar with the Actinia. On looking at them about
three hours after, I found that, instead of climbing like the
others to the top of the water, they remained just where

THE OFELET.

167

they had fallen, closely withdrawn into tlieir shells. Sup-
posing them dead, they were taken out, when they directly
began to emerge ; and when returned to the jar with the
other Momdontas, they were all in less than live minutes
clustered round its mouth. On placing them again in the
jar with the Actinia, though kept there for two hours, they
did not once show themselves out of the shell. Once more
placing them along with the other shells, they exhibited
their former signs of life and activity. The experiment
was repeated several times with a large Littorina, with the
same result, evincing fear of the Actinia on the part of the
Mollusks.”*

I can only say that Trochus umbilicatus, Littorina littorea,
and Ch iton fasciculatus have no such fear of yin cereiis ;
for I have just seen these crawl without hesitation by the
side of a full-grown and vigorous specimen.

Tliough sensible pain or irritation does not invariably
follow the contact of the human skin with the tentacles of
Anthea, yet their strong power of adhesion is never lacking.
Dissection reveals the cause of both, in the unwonted pro-
fusion with which these organs are furnished with cnidai.
In the outer of the two layers of which the tentacle-
wall is composed reside the cnidce, excessively numerous
and thickly crowded ; of two kinds, chambered and spiral.
But it is in the crimson tips that the cnidce exist in the
most prodigious profusion. They completely fill the field
of the microscope, when a portion of the wall, flattened by
the compressorium, is under view, without the least space
free of them, not even a line or a point ; but overlying each
other like herrings in a barrel, yet maintaining a general
uniformity of direction.

Within the cnidiferous layer, there is another of pig-
ment cells, visible to the naked eye as a dark brown or

* Zoophytes, p. 12<'.

168

ANTHEAD^.

nearly black lining, which can be readily pressed out from
a wound in the tentacle. These granules are very regu-
larly globular, of a translucent golden-brown hue by trans-
mitted light, varying in diameter from *0003 to ’0004 inch,
and are arranged in bead-like rows running transversely.
This pigment-layer does not give the green hue to the
tentacle ; for it may be entirely scraped away, leaving the
interior surface of the tentacle-wall of the same opaque
emerald-green hue as the exterior.

This green tint does not appear to be dependent on
pigment, but on the arrangement of the primary molecules
of the sarcode ; for when pressed to flatness, it yields no
transmitted colour, except a very slight yellowish tinge which
has no distinct location. It presses to a viscid glaire, full
of amorphous refracting granules, and cnidce. Tlie lip
exhibits similar phenomena, but the diffused tinge is faintly
purple.

The larger Eolides tear away and devour the tentacles of
Anthea: but I know not of any other animal that can
venture on attacking it with impunity. I one day saw an
amusing example of its power of passive resistance. A
beautiful little specimen of the variety Alahastrma, which
had been sent me by Mr. Gatehouse, I had occasion to
remove from one tank to another. There was a half-gi’own
Bullhead {Cottus hubalis) at the bottom, which liad been
in captivity rather more than a fortnight. As lie had not
been fed during that time, I presume he was somewhat
sharp-set. lie marked tlie Anthea falling, and before it
could reach the bottom, opened his cavern of a mouth and
sucked in the honne houche. It was not to his taste, how-
ever; for as instantly he shot it out again. Kot discou-
raged, he returned to the attack, and once more sucked it
in, but with no better success ; for, after a moment’s rolling
of the morsel around his mouth, out it shot once more;

THE (JPELET.

169

and now the Bullhead, acknowledging his master, turned
tail, and darted into a hole on the opposite side of the tank
in manifest discomfiture. But if yon, my gentle reader, he
disposed for exploits in gastronomy, do not be alarmed at
the Bullhead’s failure : only take the precaution to “ cook
your hare.” Bisso calls this species “ eduUs," and says of
it, — “ On le mange en friture^' and I can say probatum
est." No squeamishness of stomach prevents our volatile
friends, the French, from appreciating its excellence; for
the dish called Rastegna, which is a great favourite in
Provence, is mainly prepared from Anthea cereus. I
would not dare to say that an Opelet is as good as an
Omelet ; but chacun a son gout y try for yourselves. The
dish is readily achieved.

The species not unfrequently increases by spontaneous
division. I have elsewhere* given the details of a case of
this sort ; since the publication of which I have received
from various correspondents accounts of the same pheno-
menon. The fission begins at the margin of the disk, and
gradually extends across and downward, until tlie separa-
tion is complete, when each moiety soon closes and forms
a perfect animal. It is, perhaps, only another phase of the
same tendency, that the tentacles are frequently forked.

Anthea cereus has been observed in tlie following British
localities ; —

Jersey, G. G. : Guernsey, E. W. H. 11. : Ilerm, S. W. :
Ventnor, G. G. ; Weymouth, P.IL G. : Lyme Regis, J. G. :
Dawlish, R. C. J. : Teignmouth, R. C. J. : Torquay,
r.ILG.: Falmoutli, W. P. C. : Fowey, C. W.P.: Pen-
zance, R. Q. C. : Scilly, G. IL L. : Ilfracombe, P. //. G. :
Tenby, P.H. G.: Holyhead, E. L. IF..* Man, E. II. IF. .•
Cumbrae, D. R. : Oban, J. C. G. : Ballyholme Bay, IF. T. :
NeAvcastle (Co. Down), IF. T. : Portrush, E. P. IF. .• Dublin

* Tenby, a Seaside Holiday, p. 373.

170

ANTHEADiE.

Bay, E. P. W. : Carnsore Point, E. P. W. : Clew Bay,
W. T.

A. Coucliii.

A. dianthus. cereus. A. mesembryauthemum.

[flagellifera.]

[A. flava.]

B. Tuedias.

[ — ? pustulata.]

The curious little Actinojysis Jlava of MM. Danielsseu
and Koren,* which appears to be a near ally of this genus,
is remarkable for having the two gonidial tubercles greatly
prolonged into semicylinders, and terminating in two points.
It closely resembles in other respects a small Anthea, and
is of a yellow hue. As it has occurred in deep water (250
fathoms) off the southern end of Norway, it may reason-
ably be looked for on the opposite coast of Scotland, and
in the Shetland Seas.

Fauna Litt. Norveg. ii. 89.

171

FAMILY IV.— ACTINIAD^.

The species of this family, though very few in number,
are well marked by the single character of being furnished
with those peculiar organs which M. ^lilne-Edwards calls
(not very felicitously) bourses cliromatoi^Jiores, or tuherculcs
calicinaux, and which I have named marginal spherules.
These are hollow spherical vesicles, with thin walls, situ-
ated near the edge of the disk, on the inner side of a sharp
margin, and outside the exterior row of tentacles. For the
most part, if not always, these organs are of bright or
vivid colom-s, generally differing from those of the other
parts ; and hence they are conspicuous, and impart a
peculiar aspect to the physiognomy.

What function in the economy of the animal is per-
formed by these bead-like spherules is as yet unknown,
though that they play some important part can scarcely be
doubted. In our Actinia mesenibryanthemum, I have ascer-
tained that the walls are almost wholly composed of cnidce,
of nearly linear form, and about *0025 inch in length. The
inclosed thread is with difficulty seen, both before and after
extmsion ; it is, however, of considerable length. From this
structure I have conjectured that the marginal spherules
in this family may represent — functionally, not homo-
logically— the acontia of the Sagartiadce, which are here
wanting.

Sir John Dalyell has an extraordinary observation to
the effect that each of these spherules “ is pierced by

172

ACTlNIADi^:.

an orifice, which opens and dilates occasionally, some
time after the animal has fed.” * This fact, however, if
fact it he, is confirmed hy no other observer that I am
aware of.

The integuments of the column seem to be imperforate :
this is certainly the case in the genus Actinia; and in
Phymactis, though the evidence is of a negative character,
there is no reason to believe that it is otherwise. Tlie
character of the surface varies according to two very dis-
tinct types. In Actinia it is remarkably smooth, soft, and
fine ; in Phymactis it is roughened with strong and coarse
warts. These diversities manifest the osculant position
of the group; for while the former genus shows a close
affinity with the Antheadce, the latter takes no less firm
a hold upon the Bnnodidm. It is interesting to find an
exotic species (the A. iirimula of Draytonf) with marginal
spherules and a smooth skin, which emits long filaments
from the month. Here, then, we have the representative
of the Sagartiadai.

As regards Geographical Distribution, the Family is
extensively spread ; the two principal genera representing
it respectively in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Actinia ranges from the Ked Sea, through the IMediter-
ranean, over the western coasts of Europe, and the isles of
the North Atlantic. Phymactis is widely distributed over
the shores of both sides of the South Pacific, and of the
South Atlantic, reaching a little way north of the Equator,
being represented by no less tlian three species at the Cape
de Verd Isles, where, it is curious to observe, it meets

* Rare Auim. of Scotl. ; 203.

t Daua, Zoopli. 134 ; pi. ii. figs. 12 — 15. At least it is thus represented
in one of Mr. Dana’s beautiful figures, though no allusion is made to the
peculiarity in the text. M. Milne- Edwards has made of it his genus
Ncmaclit, but with a wholly gratuitous assumption of characters.

ACTINIA!)^:.

173

with the beautiful representatives of the northern form, —
Actinia fabella, and A. graininea of Dana.

ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA.

Skin smooth.

Possessing acontia {Not British) Nemactis.

Destitute of acontia Actinia.

Skin warted {Not British) Phymactis.

174

GENUS 1. ACTINIA (Linn.).

Entacmcea (Ehrenbebg).

Base adhering to rocks ; considerably exceeding
diameter of column.

Column pillar-shaped, usually much wider than
high ; margin greatly developed, smooth, separated by
a broad, but shallow fosse from the outer tentacles ; a
circle of vividly coloured spherules projecting from
the inner surface of the wall of the fosse; surface
delicately smooth, imperforate, non-adhesive ; sub-
stance fleshy.

Dish greatly expanded and overarching ; concave.

Tentacles in several rows ; moderately long ; nearly
equal ; unicolorous ; wholly retractile.

Mouth set on a protrusile cone ; two pairs of goni-
dial tubercles, brightly coloured.

We possess but a single British species, A. mesem-
bryantliemum.

ASTR^ACEA.

ACTINIADjE.

THE BEADLET.

Actinia mesemhryanthemum.

Plate VI. figs. 1 — 7.

Specific Character.

Colours of column not arranged in transverse zones.

Actinia equina.

Linn., Syst. Nat. 1088. Muller, Zool. Dan.
Prod. 231. Milne-Edw., Corall. i. 238.

mcsenibryanUiemum. Ellis and Sol., Zooph. 4. Rapp, Polyp. 52 ;

pi. ii. fig. 1. Grube, Actin. 10. Couch,

hemisphcerica.

rufa.

Corn. Faun. iii. 74 ; pi. xiv. fig. 1. Johnston,
Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2. i. 210; pi. xxx%'i. figs.
1 — 3. Dalyell, Rare Anim. of Scotl. ii.
203 ; pi. xliii. and xlvii. fig. 1. Cocks, Rep.
Cornw. Pol. Soc. 1851. 5. pi. i. figs. 7 — 11, 15.
Gosse, Aquarium, pi. ii. : Tenby, 370 : Linn.
Trans, xxi. 274 : Manual Mar. Zool. i. 30 ;
fig. 43. Tugwell, Man. Sea-Anem. 52.
Pennant, Brit. Zool. iv. 104.

Ibid. Ibid. iv. 105. Muller, Zool. Dan. i. 23 ;
pi. xxiii. figs. 1 — 3. Lamarck, Anim. s. vert,
iii. 67. Roget, Bridgew. Tr. i. 198 ; figs.
86, 87.

purpurea.

coraUina.

margaritifera.

Cdvier, Tabl. ^Idm. 653.

Risso, L’Eur. M4r. v. 285.

Templeton, Mag. Nat. Hist. ix. 304 ; fig. 50.
JoHNST. Br. Zooph. i. 213 ; fig. 46. Cocks,
Rep. Cornw. Soc. 1851. 5.

Forskdlli.

ca'asum.

M-Edwards, Corall. 241.

Dalyell, Rare Anim. Scotl. ii. 219 ; pi. xlvi.
fig. 1.

chiococca.

Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Soc. 1851. 5. pi. i. fig. 14.
JoHNST. Br. Zooph. i. 214; pi. xxxvi. figs.
4 — 6.

? label la.
fragacca.

Dana, Zoophytes, 132 ; pi. in fig. 9.

Tugwell, Man. Sea-Anem. 53 ; pi. 5.

f graminea. Dana, Zooph. 132 ; pi. ii. fig. 10.

Entacmaa meimhnjfm- ) .rw i, -.r

tlumum et E, rufa. \ Ehbenb. Corall. Roth. Meeres, 36.

176

ACTINIAD^.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks ; considerably exceeding the column, outline
often long-oval.

Column. Delicately smooth, without much excretion of mucus, wholly
imperforate, and non-adhesive. Substance fleshy, approaching to pulpy.
Form hemispheric in button, a low column in flower, much expanded at
the summit. Margin strongly developed, with a smooth, sharp edge,
bounding a wide but shallow fosse, within which are seated a single series
of numerous spherules.

Dish. Slightly concave, smooth ; the radii faintly marked.

Tentacles. About two hundred in full-grown individuals, arranged in six
rows thus ; — 6, ti, 12, 24, 48, 96 = 192 ; moderately slender, shorter than
the diameter of the disk, sub-equal ; flexuous, usually carried ai'chiug over
the margin.

Mouth. Elevated on a blunt cone.

Colour.

Base. Edged with a narrow line of bright blue.

Column. Liver-brown.

Marginal Spherules. Brilliant azure.

Disk and Tentacles. Dull pellucid crimson.

Mouth. Rich crimson.

Oonidial Tubercles. Blue.

Size.

Large specimens sometimes cover with their base an ai’ea four inches
long by two wide, attain a height of about an inch, and expand to a
flower of three inches in diameter.

Locality.

The Mediterranean and Atlantic shores of Europe, universally distri-
buted, on exposed rocks, from half-tide, or even a higher level, to low-
water mark.

Varieties.

The characteristic colours of the species are crimson and green. The
extreme of variation on either hand is produced by either of these two
colours prevailing so as to exclude the other. But many intermediate
gmdes are found, either by the blending of the two hues into some inter-
mediate tint of olive, brown, or liver-colour, or else by the separation of
the two into a pattern of spots on a different ground, or, where the green

THE BEADLET. 177

hue exists alone, by a separation of its constituent elements, blue and
yellow. We may distinguish the following varieties : —

o. Hepatica. The liver-brown condition above described, which is the
most common (fig. 2).

* Approaching the red.

j8. R uhra. Column dark crimson ; disk and tentacles as before. In
youth this and the following variety are of a pellucid light crimson
(fig. 5).

y. Chiococca, Column rich scarlet ; basal line flesh-colour or non-
apparent ; disk and tentacles full crimson ; spherules pure white (fig. 7,
labelled A. chiococca). The A. Forshdlli of the Red Sea, the A. cerasum
of the Scottish Coast, the A. chiococca of St. Ives and other parts of Corn-
wall, must be considered as belonging to this variety ; nor can I separate
from it the A. tabeUa of the Cape Verd Isles, except that this approaches
the var.

** Approaching the green.

5. UmhAna. Column, disk, and tentacles, a yellowish umber-brown ;
spherules (as in all the following) azure; basal line (as in all of this
section) blue (fig. 3).

€. Ochracea. Column, disk, and tentacles orange-bufiF.

f. Olivacea. Dark olive.

t]. Glauca. Pellucid bluish green ; tentacles pale greenish blue (fig. 1).

0. Prasina. Fine leek-green ; tentacles the same, pellucid.

*** Colours interrupted.

/. Opora. Leek-green, with longitudinal broken lines of light green or
pure yellow ; spherules and basal line blue (fig. 4).

K. Tignna. Red, streaked with yellow (Tugwell).

Fragacea, Liver-coloured, or dark red, studded with numerous spots
of light green ; no basal line. Attains a very large size (fig. 6).

The most marked of the above varieties is undoubtedly
the last, — the Strawberry, as it is familiarly named. Its
constancy of colour and pattern, its tendency to an ovate
form, and its great size, distinguish it from its fellows ;
and yet I cannot, after much consideration of the subject,
in the presence of the animals themselves, convince myself
that it is entitled to specific distinction. I have found
specimens in which the spots were small and crow'dcd,
others in which they were large and scattered, others in
which they were small and scattered ; sometimes the
spots are portions of lines irregularly interrupted, and not
seldom considerable regions of the surtacc are quite des-

N

178

ACTlNIAD.i:.

titute of spots. The marginal spherules are sometimes
large, sometimes minute ; now azure, then pearly white.
A more marked character is the absence of the coloured
line bounding the base; but I am not sure that this is
constant.

I am glad to fortify my own opinion by that of so
acute an observer as Mr. Holdswortli. He writes me as
follows : — “ I have now seen so many connecting links
between the typical mesemhryantliemum and the fragacea,
so called, that I am convinced they are one and the same
species ; although I have not arrived at this conclusion
without devoting considerable time and attention to the
subject.”

Of the supposed species, cMococca, cerasum, and Fors-
TccilU, for these are assuredly all the same thing, I would
speak with some deference, owing to my having never
seen the form in its perfect type, though I have no doubt
of its identity with the present subject. Sir John Dalyell,
though he gave it a specific name, summed up his obser-
vations with the following words : — “ On the whole, I am
disposed to view it as a variety of mesemhi'yanthemumy
Nor do I see how he could do otherwise ; for he tells us
that, of his cerasum, which was very prolific, all the young
were red hut one, which, red at first, became at five months
old green. This bred, and all its gyrogeny were green ;
though it had upwards of a hundred descendants before it
was two years old, and continued to breed for five years
more.

It is but fair, however, to add, that Mr. W. P. Cocks,
who constituted cMococca a species, and to whom I am
indebted for the beautiful drawing which I have copied
in my Plate VI. fig. Z, retains his opinion. From one of
his letters to me, I cite the following interesting notes : —
“The A. cMococca is certainly a good species. I have

THE BEADLET.

179

never found it associated Avitli tlie A. mesemhr^anthemiim,
and rarely more than one or two in tlie same locality
(though explored ^by me in Cornwall), with one exception.
On the under surface of some very large stones used for
making a pier near the north-western extremity of the
town of St. Ives, I found several colonies of the in-
teresting creatures in full health, enjoying the blessings of
freedom in a nook not often disturbed by anything but
the rough and boisterous waves from the North Channel.
About twenty feet from this spot, and nearer high-water
mark, tlie under surfaces of the stones forming a portion
of this abortive construction were covered with old and
young members of the beautiful varieties of the A. mesem-
bryanthemum, dark bottle-green with yellow dots, dark
green with yellow stripes, claret with yellow spots, yel-
lowish green, light ochre, amber, scarlet, &c. The blue
beaded rim and blue fillet at base were displayed by each
member of this group. A specimen of the A. cMococca,
which I had in confinement for more than twelve months
in my experimental jar, furnished me with a batch of young
ones, — all were true to colour and markings.” This, how-
ever, can by no means outweigh the positive evidence on
the other side furnished by Sir J. Daly ell.

Nor can the A. margaritifera of Templeton be allowed
any higher rank. The flattened, rigid, corrugated con-
dition on which he relied for a specific character, I have
not imfrequently seen in individuals, which, in the course
of an hour or two, were swollen out to the softness and
plumpness normal to the species. ]\Ir. Cocks comes to
my aid here with an interesting narrative of two specimens
which he found in a condition exactly corresponding to
Mr. Templeton’s description of margaritifera. He was at
once convinced that sickness was the cause of their pecu-
liar flatness and attenuation, and the shrivelled tesselated

N 2

180

ACTINIAD^.

character of their skin. He treated them accordingly, and
in a few days they assumed the usual plump condition.

Facts seem to show that even the same individual is
liable to considerable change of colour. Mr. Cocks tells
me that from some hundreds of experiments he has ascer-
tained that “ the colour is materially changed by diet,
good or bad ; by water, pure or impure ; by attention or
neglect; by over-feeding or starvation.” And Mr. E, L.
Williams, jun. has favomred me with still more precise
statements on this very species. He observes : — “ A. me-
sembryanthemum does change. Bright green in two
months has got to dark olive in my tank ; bright amber
to dark brown ; brown with vertical yellow spots or dots
has lost these markings.”

Characteristic as are the marginal spherules, they are
subject to some irregularities. I found a large specimen
of the deep olive variety, which had on the exterior of the
margin two azure tubercles; — one of them round, well
defined, and in no respect distinguishable from the intra-
marginal spherules, — the other somewhat less so. Below
these, scattered down the side of the column, were four
or five more blue warts ; more iiTegular in form and
shape, but still well defined, and perfectly similar in their
azure hue to the spherules. I subsequently obtained a
second specimen with exactly the same peculiarities. On
the other hand, a specimen of the same variety — which
was sent me from Cumbrae by Mr. D. Eobertson about
six months ago, and is still in my possession — has never
showed the slightest trace of spherules, though in every
other respect perfectly normal; the basal line and the
gonidial tubercles being of the usual azure hue.* It is

* “ M. Haime has remarked that these bourses ehromatophores, or
calycine tubercles, are to the number of 18 in those individuals which
have not yet developed the tentacles of the 5th cycle ; of 24 in those
which have 6 or 5§ cycles, and of 48 in those which have 6 cycles com-

THE BEADLET.

181

by no means unusual to see examples of the red varieties,
in wliicli the spherules are pale red, — the blue pigment
being defective.

The name Actinia, originally applied to the whole race
of Sea- Anemones, is derived from uktIv, a ray ; the specific
appellation, mesemhryanihemum, is the name of the fig-
marigold, so called from its opening at noon, {fiearj/M^pia,
= fjbia-o^, r]p,epa, mid-day) : the term headlet alludes to the
marginal beads.

As no species is more abundant, nor more easily pro-
cured than this, since it affects the most exposed rocks,
and does not seek the protection of hollows, so none is
more easily reconciled to captivity, and few are more
beautiful. It requires no special treatment ; a surface for
the support of its base, and water sufficient to cover it,
are enougli ; nor is it essential to its existence that the
latter should be very pure, for it will continue to drag on
life when its fellows have died out. Yet few species more
immediately resent negligence of this kind, or more grate-
fully express their appreciation of a pm*e and limpid
element. Widely as the species is distributed in a state
of freedom, we scarcely ever see it except where the water
is habitually clear. It is a curious fact, for which I am
indebted to Mr. E. L. Williams, jun., that “ the Mersey
estuary is the only place on our coasts in which he has
not found this species;” which he attributes to the foul-
ness of the water. This absence would be less remarkable,
were it not that Tealia crassicorms is abundant there ; but
Actinia is clean and Tealia is dirty in its habits. In the

plete ; that is to say, in the large individuals where 1 92 tentacles or there-
abouts may be counted. He has recognised also that these pouches
communicate directly with the sub-tentacular chambers of the first cycles ;
and that they contain little muscular fibre, but cai’ry navicular thread-cells
of various forms, and of which the interior thread is indistinct, together
with transparent vesicles, and pigment-globules ” — Mii.ne-Edwards, Hist.
Corallalres, i. 240.

182

ACTINIAD.E.

neighbouring estuary of the Dee, the former is common,
as usual.

With ordinary attention the pretty Beadlet will attain
a good old age in captivity. A veteran, whose portrait is
given by Sir John Dalyell, had lived in his possession
twenty years (in 1848), and was judged to be not less
than seven years old when he obtained it. At Sir John’s
death the specimen passed into the hands of Professor
Fleming, and it was not many months ago that I heard
of it as still surviving. If it is alive now, it must be
approaching forty years old. This individual was the
prolific parent of 334 children. A second specimen had
lived about fourteen years under the worthy baronet’s
care.

The species is generally viviparous, producing abun-
dantly ; but sometimes it gives birth to ciliated, shapeless
embryos, on which tentacles appear in about ten days.
Copious details of high interest on tlie embryology and
general economy of this Anemone are furnished in the
magnificent volumes of the eminent Scottish naturalist.

It is superfluous to give a list of habitats for this
species : since it occurs all round the coasts of England,
Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, wherever there is rock
enough to afford it standing ground.

The Actinia Cari of Della Chiaje (the A. concentrica
of Eisso) appears to be a second species of the genus ; at
least in none of the recognised varieties of ours do we
perceive an approach to tlie pattern of colouring, — a series
of concentric zones or bands, — by which that is marked.

A. cereus.

Mesembryantiiemum.

[Nemactis.] [Phymactis.]

Actinoloba. Bunodes.

183

FAMILY V.— BUNODID^.

1 propose to include in this family all those species, the
sm'face of whose column is studded with persistent tuber-
cles, and which are not provided with marginal spherules,
nor with perforations of the integument. In some instances,
certainly, — perha2)S in all, — these excrescences have the
faculty of adliering with force to foreign bodies ; and thus
they agree in function Avith the suckers of many of the
Sagartiadce ; there is this difference, however, that whereas
in those, the margins of the suckers do not rise above the
general le^ml when inactive, in these the tubercles are
always well developed, and are particularly prominent in
those species in which the adhesive function, if it exists at
all, is feeble and rarely exercised.

The integuments and muscular coats appear to liaA'e
a mucli greater density than in any of the previous families,
and the movements of the animals manifest a higher degree
of vigour, and even of intelligence. The tentacles are
generally short, thick, and conical.

The typical and sub-typical genera — Bunodes and Tealia
— appear to be represented by species which are scattered
over the seas of the world, and are for the most part
littoral : the genera Cystactis and Echinactis are confined
to the southern hemisphere : and the aberrant genera, Bolo~
cera, Ilormafhia, and Stomphia, inhabit the deep water of
the British and Norwegian seas.

1S4

ANALYSIS OF THE GENEHA.

Tiiborolea conspiovionsi.

Disk and tontaclos ivtrnctile.

TxiboroU's of one kind only.

In the form of rounded w-nrts.

Irregularly seattemi

Arrange*.! in vertical lines ....
An-augei! in many horizontal lines

{Xot British)

Ari'ange*! in a single horizontal lino .
In the form of pointtni blisters (A’o/ British)
TubeivJes of two kinds, viz. rounded ^varts and
erectile ixunted jwpillre {Not British) . .
Disk and tentacles not retractile .......

Tubercles obsolete

Tfitlia.

BHhtxItS.

“ A ./Hsco-ntbra."

Iformathia.

Cjistaetis.

Echinactis.

Boioctra.

Stomphia.

185

GENUS 1. BOLOCEKA (Gosse).

Antliea (Johnston).

Base adherent : not much exceeding the column.

Column pillar-like, the diameter and height sub-
equal. Surface generally very smooth, studded with
small warts, remotely scattered. Substance “fibro-
cartilaginous” {JF.P.C.).

Disk smooth, circular in outline, not overlapping
the column.

Tentacles short, thick, constricted at foot, obtusely
pointed, longitudinally furrowed ; flexuous and motile ;
easily separated ; not retractile.

Mouth not raised on a cone ; stomach capable of
being greatly protruded.

There is but a single known species, B. Tuedice.

ASTBjEACEA.

BUNODIDJi.

THE DEEPLET.

Bolocera Tueclice.

Plate T. fig. 1.

Specific Character, Body dull red ; tentacles chestnut.

Actinia Tuedice. Johnston, Mag. Nat. Hist. v. 163 ; fig. 58.

Anthea Tuedice. Ibid., Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2. ; i. 242, fig. 53. Landsbokodgh,
Scott. Chr. Her. 1840, 243. Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Pol.
Soc. 1851, 11 ; pi, ii. fig. 33. Gosse, Ann. N. H. ;
Ser. 3. i. 416.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent, scarcely exceeding the column.

Column. Cylindrical, smooth and as if polished on the general surface,
but studded, somewhat sparsely, with minute rounded warts, which are
scarcely apparent when the animal is extended, but, on contraction, " re-
semble the heads of small pins in a pincushion” (TT^. P. C.) ; in this condi-
tion the smooth surface is thrown into transverse w'rinkles. Substance
firm and sub-cartilaginous.

Dish. Flat, smooth, without conspicuous radii ; outline circular, not
exceeding the column.

Tentacles. Numerous, in three rows, close-set; the innermost remote
from the mouth, sometimes two inches in length, and half an inch in
diameter ; the other rows diminishing in gradation ; stout, constricted at
the foot, then swollen, and tapering to an obtuse point, which is perforate ;
marked with longitudinal sulci, which are obliterated when the tentacle is
completely distended ; very flexuous and motile ; readily detached, and
retaining their irritability and worm-like motions long after the separation.
They cannot be retracted within the column, nor are thej”^ capable of any
considerable elongation or contraction.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone. Lip apparently not thickened. Stomach-
waU capable of being protruded in the form of great bladder-Uke lobes.

Colour.

Column. An uniform deep fiesh-colour, reddish, or brownish-orange.

Dish. A lighter tinge of the same.

Tentacles. Chestnut or reddish fiesh-colour.

Stomach. "When protruded, reddish with paler lines.

THE DEEPLET.

187

Size.

Three or four inches in height, and from five to eight inches in diameter,
when expanded.

Locality.

Deep water off rocky coasts, from fifty to two hundred fathoms.

It will be evident from the above-mentioned characters
that this form must be considered as generically distinct
from Anthea. It is, in fact, intermediate between that
genus and Tealia / with a preponderance, however, of the
features proper to the latter, which has induced me to
assign it to this family. In this judgment I carry the con-
cim-ence of Mr. W. P. Cocks, who has enjoyed more
opportunities of studying it in life than any other naturalist ;
and to whom I am indebted for the carefully coloured
drawing which embellishes my Plate V. as well as for some
interesting notes.

Notwithstanding its great size, and somewhat inelegant
form, Mr. Cocks calls it “a charming creature;” and says
on another occasion, “ this is certainly a beautiful animal
when healthy and half-grown ; though the queer move-
ments of the peristome and lobed mouth, pouting like an
old man with negro lips and toothless jaws, at once
pronounce its relationship with cmssicorms."

It is essentially a deep water species : Messrs. Danielssen
and Koren ascribe it to the coralline zone off the coast of
Norway, from thirty to fifty fathoms, and, on the authority
of Mr. Sars, mention it as ranging to the amazing depth
of two hundred fathoms.* On the Cornish coast, it is
not seldom found among trawl-refuse ;t and Dr. Johnston
tells us that in Berwick Bay it occasionally occurs at-
tached to the deep-sea lines of the fishermen. “ I have
often found,” lie remarks, “ the tentacula in a separated

Fauna Litt. Norv. ii. 87.

t Cocks in litt.

188

BUNdDID^.

state adhering to their lines ; and, as these retain their
irritability and motion for a long time, they are apt to be
mistaken for independent and perfect worms, which they
much resemble.” *

I have seized so unusual a peculiarity as the ready
parting with the tentacles, to create a generic appellation, —
Bohcera, from ^dWco, to cast, and Kipa<;, the horn. The
word Tuedice was applied to the species by Dr. Johnston,
because Tuedia was the ancient name of the maritime parts
of Berwickshire. The English term I have formed in
allusion to its habits.

With the exception of some extraordinarily gigantic
specimens of A. dianthus, this is the largest of British
Anemones. The following are its recorded localities.

Peterhead, C. W. P: Berwick Bay, G. J. : Cullercoats,
J. A.; Falmouth, TF. P. C. : Cumbrae, P. L.

A. cereus.

Tuedia.

T. crassicornis.

* Br. Zooph. i, 243.

189

GENUS II. BUNODES (Gosse).

Actinia (Ellis).

Crihrina (Eurenberg).

Base exceeding the column ; its outline generally
undulate.

Column pillar-like; the height in extension consi-
derably exceeding the diameter. Surface studded
with permanent rounded warts, set in vertical lines,
which are separated by bands of plane skin. Margin
denticulate. Substance firmly fleshy.

Bisk flat, circular in outline ; scarcely overlapping
the column. Radii conspicuously marked.

Tentacles not very numerous, arranged in several
rows, submarginal ; moderately long and slender,
obtusely pointed, smooth, not very flexuous ; marked
(in the more typical species) with irregular white spots
on the front face ; perfectly retractile.

Moulh not raised on a cone; stomach not habi-
tually protruded : gonidial tubercles generally conspi-
cuous.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Warts generally distributed.

Warts large and small in alternate lines gemmacea.

Warts subequal.

Warts vertically remote, unicolorous thallia.

Warts vertically contiguous, red-spotted Ballii.

Warts only on upper half of column coronala.

ASTR.EACEA.

BVNODIDM.

THE GEM PIMPLET.

Bunodcs gemmacea.

Plate IV. figs. 2, 3.

Specific Character. Alternate series of large and small warts. Column
grey or flesh-coloured, with sis equidistant bands of white. Tentacles
thick, marked with white oval spots.

Actinia gemmacea. Ellis and Solaxdeu, Zooph. 3. Johnst. Brit. Zooph.

Ed. 2, i. 223 ; pi. xxsviii. figs. 6—9. Cocks, Rep.
Cornw. Soc. 1851. 7 ; pi. i. figs. 24, 25, 28. Gosse,
Dev. Coast, 168 ; pi. viii. figs. 1 — 4.
venmcosa. Pennant, Brit. Zool. iv. 103. Lamarck, Anim. s. vert.

iii. 70. Rapp, Polyp. 50.

1 glandulosa. Rapp, Polyp. 52.

Oribrina verrucosa. Ehrenb. Corall. 40.

Cereus gemmaceus. M.-Edwakds, Corall. i. 265, pi. C 1, fig. 3.

Bunodes gemmacea. Gosse, Tr. Linn. Soc. xxi. 274; Ann. Nat. Hist. Ser. 3.
i. 417 ; Manual Mar. Zool. i. 29.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks ; in general but slightly exceeding the column.

Column. Pillar-like, rising to a height twice the diameter. Surface
covered with round warts, arranged in forty-eight vertical rows, according
to the following arrangement : — six primary rows equidistant, distinguished
by their white colour, and by their superior size ; six secondary rows,
intermediate ; twelve tertiary, intercalated between the primary and secon-
dai-y ; — the difierence in size between these is slight, but is often dis-
cernible ; finally a row of quaternary warts (twenty-four in all) is placed
between all the above, and these are much smaller and less distinct. All
these become indistinct towards the base, being traceable downwards in
the ratio of their order; while towards the summit they become larger
and bladder-like, the uppermost individuals of all the series crowning the

PLATE IV

3U NODES CEMMACEA 56 BTHALLIA

THE GEM PIMPLET.

191

margin like serried teeth. In contraction the surface is thrown into trans-
verse wrinkles, which of course pass hetioeen, and not across, the waists, and
thus a latticed or decussate appearance is communicated ; — as if each wart
were the centre of a little square.

Disk. Flat or slightly concave ; the outline circular and plane, a little
overlapping. Gonidial radii strongly developed.

Tentacles. In four rows, containing 6, 6, 12, 24 = 48; corresponding to
the lines of warts. They are sub-marginal, thick, moderately long, conical,
obtuse ; decreasing in size from the first row outwards ; and are generally
carried arching over the margin, or bent into a double curve, like the
branches of a candlestick : often, however, they assume a clumsy, thickset
form, swollen in the middle (see fig. 3).

Mouth. Raised on a blunt cone. Lip furrowed. Gonidial tubercles
prominent.

Colour.

Column. Rose-pink, varying in brilliance, and often becoming brownish
towards the summit. Primary warts white, making conspicuous longitu-
dinal bands, which in the button state form a beautiful radiating pattern.
Secondary and tertiary warts bluish- or reddish-grey, the former generally
paler. Quaternary warts generally indistinguishable from the ground
colom’. Sometimes, however’, the quaternary row which bounds each
primary on each side is also white (see fig. 3).

Disk. Ground colour bluish-grey on the outer region, blending into a
fine yellow-green around the mouth : each radius is bounded by a scarlet
line, lost at about half-disk; the primary radii are often marked with
darker and paler portions, sometimes even black and white ; and the result
is a brilliant kaleidoscopic star, of varied hues, the blue and scarlet lines
in particular running out among the tentacles.

Tentacles. Pellucid grey or whitish, the front face
olive, undefined, and deepening into black in the median
line, often with a purple reflection : this face is crossed
by about half-a-dozen large transversely-oval spots of
opaque white, occasionally interchange.d with more nar-
row and even linear ones. These spots are well-deflned,
and, though they vary in the tentacles of the same in-
dividuals, are never wanting.

Mouth. Lip whitish : gonidial tubercles grey, each

marked with a central dot of bright rose-colour. ,, tentacle

{lateral view).

SiZB.

Rarely exceeding an inch in diameter, and an inch and a half or two
inches in height.

192

BUNODIDiE.

Locality.

The south-western and southern shores of England and Ireland ; the
coasts of Portugiil, and of the Mediterranean : on exposed rocks and shallow
pools between tide-marks.

Variety.

The species is but little subject to variation of form, or of hue, except
within the limits mentioned above. Specimens differ a good deal, how-
ever, in the intensity and brilliance of the tints.

The Gem Avas first discovered, or at least distinctly
described, just a century ago, by Gacrtner, who found it
on the shores of Cornwall ; but it was not till fifteen years
afterwards that it received a name. Pennant then called
it Actinia verrucosa ; but this appellation has yielded to
that of A. gemmacea, Avhich Avas conferred upon it by
Ellis and Solander, and which has been so generally
adopted by British zoologists, that it Avould be pedantic
to attempt to restore the original name. Both epithets are
appropriate. Pennant’s (signifying warty) is, however,
rather generic than specific; Avliile Ellis’s, if someAvhat
more vague, is well fitted to suggest the delicate beauty of
this pretty little species, — perhaps unrivalled, among British
species, for its yamting. The English term by which
I designate the genus, alludes to the pimples, or warts,
Avith Avhich the animals are studded.

It is essentially a littoral species. I am not aAvarc that
it has ever been brought up from deep water, nor does it
much affect the concealment of holes or crevices. The
surfaces of stones, and shalloAV pools Avithin tide-marks,
are the stations it habitually prefers, and it is often found
in the latter even when they are but little beloAV the level
of high Avater. It appears to be gregarious ; for, though
Ave do not find individuals croAAuled together, as is the
habit of hellis, a dozen or twenty arc often seen occu-
pying the shalloAV basins of an area of rock a yard or two

THE GEM riMPLET.

193

in extent, though none are to be seen beyond this. In
the button-state, the radiating bands of white on the red-
dish-grey ground, with the globular form, give a primd
facie resemblance to an Echinus, denuded of its spines,
which is very striking. In their native pools the specimens
are often partially enveloped in gravel, from which, if
closed, their six-fold star appears prettily conspicuous ;
while if expanded, the brilliant pencilled disk, and white-
spotted tentacles, are even more attractive.

The Gem is detached with ease, and becomes reconciled
to captivity without difficulty, wdiere it preserves its cha-
racteristic habit of stationing itself on some exposed spot,
whence it is little given to wander.

It is prolific, bringing forth living and well-formed young,
which are produced one, two, or three in twenty-four hours,
and not scores or hundreds in a night, as are those of S.
hellis. The Gem, however, will often continue to breed at
this rate for weeks. The new-born young immediately
attach themselves, and display the characteristic colour and
markings : they have twelve tentacles ; that is to say, the
primary and secondary series are developed before birth.
In this condition they greedily devour food -when presented.

Miss Loddiges, of Hackney, who has been very successful
in breeding ’and preserving this, as well as other species of
Anemones, has favoured me with some particulars of her
treatment, which may be useful to others. Speaking of
the young, this lady observes : — “ I feed them from their
first appearance, — rather a delicate operation, — and they

steadily grow, though rather slowly Oyster seems

the best food for them, but I give them lobster, and even
meat. ... I am satisfied sea-weed is not necessary in the
tank : I have discarded it for some time, and only admit
one small piece of red for an ornament. I syringe the
water daily.”

0

194

BUNODIDJJ.

The voracity of the species I have already alluded to.
From my friend ^Ir. F. II. West, I learn that it is even ot
cannibal propensities. A Sag. troglodfftcs, var. he suddenly
missed, and suspected gemmacea of murder. Ills suspieions
were contirmed, for the lost wreteh was disgorged in two
portions, of which the first came away on the second day,
the second and larger on the fourth. The result of diges-
tion was manifest, in the squeezed and shapeless appearanee
of the masses, the dissolution of the interior, and the flaky
sloughing of the exterior.

In the published descriptions, often imperfect and vague,
of foreign species, we can sometimes find indieations of
probable affinities. The Act. tuberculosa of Bass’s Strait
(Quoy et Galin.), A. hicoJor of St. Yineent (Lesuenv),
A. xauthogrammica of Kamtchatka (Brandt), A. crueutata
of Tierra del Fuego (Dana), and A. J/ac7oi'iaua of the
!Malouines (Ijesson), — are doubtless true Buuodes, indi-
cated not only by their warty surface, but also by the
white spotting of their tentacles. Of these, the first two
seem elosely allied to our gemmacea, the third to thallia,
while the last two deviate more from the type, and appear
parallel with Ballii.

The following are the recognised British localities of
the species : — Guernsey, E. Tl'. JL 11. : Jersey, G. G. :
Weymouth, IF. T. (w.) : Torquay, F. II. G.: Paignton,
P. II. G.: Falmouth, IF. P. C. : Ilfracombe, P. II. G. :
Douglas, F. II. B’. .• Yonghal, J. B. G.: Cork, J. li. G. :
^Mizen Head, E. P. IF..* Yalentia, J. M. Jones.

ge.m.>[aci:a.

[tuberculosa].

[bicolor].

thallia.

ASTR.F.ACEA.

liCNODID.E.

THE GLAUCOUS PIMPLET.

Bunodes tJudlia.

Plate IV. Fujs. 5, 6.

Specific Character. Warts sub- equal, vertically remote, unicolorous.

Ihinodes thallia. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 2, xiv. 283 : Tenby, 361 ; pi.

xxiii. fig. c: Linn. Trans, xxi. 271. Annals N. H.
Ser. 3, i. 417.

Cereut Thalia. Milne Edwauds, Hist. Corail. i. 266.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks ; considerably exceeding column.

Column. A rounded button in contraction, pillar-like in extension,
rising to full twice the diameter. Surface covered with numerous (about
thirty -six) vertical rows of sub equal prominent warts, which arc separated,
in moderate extension, both laterally and vertically, by interspaces of about
equal width, in which the skin is irregularly corrugated. The warts are
about twenty-five in each row, and reach from the base to the margin,
which is serrated with the elongated topmost warts of all the rows. They
are strongly adhesive, and are occasionally drawn out to the length of a
line, before they yield their hold. Substance firmly fleshy.

Disk. Flat, or slightly concave ; radii indistinct.

Tentacles. Sub-marginal, set in four rows; 6, 6, 12, 24 = 48 : — the first
three rows are, however, so nearly equidistant from the centre that, on a
cursory inspection, there appear but two rows altogether. They are sub-
equal, thick, obtuse, about half as long as the diameter of the column ; and
are commonly spread horizontally, or overarching outwards.

Mouth. Set on a prominent cone.

Colour.

Column. Pale bluish or greyish green, with dark warts.

Disk. A many-rayed star of yellow rays on a blackish ground, produced
in the following manner. The radii are blackish, each marked with a
central spindle-shaped line of yellow ; in the primai7 and secondary radii,

0 2

196

BUNODID.E.

the yellow mark is broader and near the mouth ; in the others, it is more
slender, longer, and reaches to the tentacular region.

Tentacles. Pellucid grey, with the front
face olive, on which are scattered numerous
spots of opaque white : these spots are gene-
rally roundish, or polyhedral, and large and
TENTACLE Small oues are crowded together.

{lateral view). Mouth. Blackish, with the gonidial tuber-

cles of a more intense hue.

Size.

Button an inch and a quarter in diameter, elongating to a height of
two inches ; expanse of flower two inches.

Locality.

Both sides of the Bristol Channel ; rock.s within tide-marks.

Varieties.

a. llygroxyla. The green condition described above.

0. Xeroxyla. Column dingy brown, with slightly darker warts ; disk
of the same tint ; marked as in a.

y. Caustoxyla. Column reddish chocolate, with darker warts ; disk dark
olive ; marked as in a ; the central half sometimes white.

I first discovered this species at Lidstep, on tlie coast of
Pembroke, in 1854, and described and figured it in “ Tenby ;
a Seaside Holiday.” Very little has been added to its
recorded history since that time ; not more than four speci-
mens having occurred, so far as I am aware, to subsequent
researches, all of which were obtained near Ilfracombe.

Tliough manifestly a rare species, I was so fortunate as
to light upon a numerous colony at its discovery. About
a dozen individuals of different sizes were associated in the
dark angles and pools of a little insular rock exposed at
spring-tide, that lies just off the cove called the Drocli,
near Lidstep. They were not troglodyte in habit, but
adherent to the open rock, and therefore easily detached.
The species seems social ; clustering together in group.^,
mutually pressing each other’s sides.

The habits of the Glaucous Pimplet in captivity are

THE GLAUCOUS TIMPLET.

197

closely like those of the Gem. Like the latter, it expands
under the stimulus of the light, rather than in darkness,
indicating a habitually exposed mode of life. Like gem-
viacea, it frequently erects itself when closed, in the form
of a pillar ; and throws off successive rings of mucus from
its body, which accumulate around its base, if not removed.
The action of the waves would wash these away in a state
of freedom ; in a tank tliey should be detached by means
of a stick or hair-pencil.

I have never seen the warts of gemmacea used as suckers ;
but in specimens of the present species, I observed this
function exercised by them very signally ; not in the way
of attaching extraneous fragments to the body, like S. hellis
and T. crassicornis, but in taking hold of a firm support,
like S. troglodytes. Tlie suckers of the column adhered
with force to the side of the glass vessel, and by contrac-
tion were stretched as above described.

The specific name “ ” (not TJialia, as M. Milne

Edwards misquotes it) I adopted in allusion to the elon-
gated form and glaucous colour, from daWla, an olive-
shoot. The same idea recurs in the epithets which distin-
guish the varieties, — as if the glaucous, the dull brown, and
the chocolate, were the twig as green, dry, and scorched.

It is possible that the immature snecimens, found by
Templeton in Belfast Lough, and named by him Act.
monile,^ were the young'of this species ; though they have
been generally attributed to gemmacea.

gemmacea.

TIIALLIA.

[xanthogrammica].

[Artemisia].

T. crassicornis'.

* Loudon’s Mag. N. H. ix. 303 ; fig. 49.

ASTR^ACEA.

BUNODIDJi.

THE RED-SPECKED PBIPLET.

Bunocles JBallii.

Plate IV. Fir/. 4.

Specific Character. Warts sub-equal, vertically contiguous, red-spotted.

Actinia Ballii.

clavata.

B anodes clavata.
Cereus clavata.

Cocks, Rep. Com. Soc. 1849, 94 ; Ibid. 1851, 9 ; pi. ii.
figs. 9, 17, 18.

Thompson (w.), Zoologist, 1851, App. cxxvii. Gosse,
Ann. N. H. Ser. 2, vol. xii. 127. Aquarium, 35.
Tugwell, Man. Sea Anem. 100, pi. iv. Jordan, Ann.
N. H. Ser. 2, xv. 88.

Gosse, Linn. Trans, xxi. 274. Ann. N. H. Ser. 3, i.
417.

Milne Edwards, Hist. Corail. i. 267.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks; considerably exceeding the column ; generally
length*ned-ovate in outline.

Column. Low and broad, scarcely rising to a pillar-form. Surface
covered with warts about equal in size, arranged in forty-eight longitu-
dinal rows, of which the alternate rows are traceable from the margin only
about half-way down the column ; the warts are contiguous vertically, but
the rows are separated laterally, by interspaces of equal width, of corru-
gated skin. The iirimary rows consist of about twenty- four warts,
becoming indistinct towards the base; the uppermost individuals of all
the I’ows crowning the margin as blunt teeth.

Dislc. Flat ; the outline nearly circular, often much overlapping the
column. Radii distinct; gonidial radii broad and strongly marked.

Tentacles. Nearly marginal, set in five rows ; 6, 6, 12, 24, 24 = 72 : the
first three rows nearly equidistant from the centre. They are longer and
more slender than in gemmacea, conical, obtuse ; decreasing in size from
the first row outwards ; and are usually carried horizontally spread, with
a very constant tendency to curl upward at the tips.

Mouth. Raised on a cone ; often gaping ; throat membranous, protru-
sile : gonidial tubercles usually prominent, often inflated.

Colour.

Base. Red, sometimes rich crimson.

THE RED-SrECKED PIMPLET.

199

Column. Pale yellow : each wart crowned with a well-defined crimson
speck, the interspaces irregularly freckled with crimson. In some instances,
the pale yellow predominates on the upper half of the column, the crimson
on the lower.

I>isk. Pellucid-grey, covered or dusted with opaque white specks,
varying in size and shape, as if sprinkled with flour.

Tentacles. Yeiy pellucid, pale yellow, but
some or all frequently tinged with a lovely
rose-colour: always sprinkled, on all sides, with
minute irregularly shaped specks of opaque
white.

Mouth. Lip and gonidial tubercles some-
times erimson or rose-pink ; but sometimes
whitish or pale yellow.

TENTACLE
{lateral rieic).

Size.

Ordinary specimens are an inch in diameter and half an inch in
height, with an expanse of two inches. Mr. Tugwell figures one two
inches in diameter, and three in expanse ; and Mr. Brodrick writes me
that one, which has been in his possession nearly three years, measures,
after feeding, /oar inches in expanse.

Locality.

The southern and south-western shores of England ; on the under sur-
faces of stones, and in crevices between tide-marks, and in deep water.

Varieties.

a. liosea. The most lovely condition above described.

fi. Dealbata. The roseate hue wanting; the tentacles cream white; in
other respects as a.

y. Funesta. Tentacles dark umber or wood-bro^vn, with little trans-
lucency. Disk smoke-black. Both dusted with yellowish-white specks as
usual. Column as o; but tinged with brown. Usually of large size.

S. Livida. Tentacles and disk tinged in various degrees with bluish-grey
or livid green, often in a sort of changeable lustre, like that of putrescent
flesh ; with the chai-acteristic specks. Chiefly from deep water.

Mr. William Thompson, of Weymouth, described this
species by the name of Actinia clavata, in the Appendix to
the Zoologist for 1851. But Mr. W. P. Cocks had akeady
described and figured, under the title of A. the same

200

BUNODID.E.

species, in his admirable memoir “ On the Actiniae of
Falmoutli,” which was read before the Cornwall Polytechnic
Society, in the autumn of the same year. He had been
acquainted with the species ever since 1847 ; and had pub-
lished the name in the Society’s Report for 1849. To Mr.
Cocks’s appellation, therefore, belongs the claim of priority;
but even were it otherwise, ]\Ir. Thompson’s name must be
rejected, not only because it had been previously^ applied
to another species, but, according to a canon which I have
already had occasion to apply to one of my own names,t
because it conveys a false idea. The name clavata origi-
nated in a misconception. In the single specimen known
to Mr. Thompson at that time, he mistook the curling of
the tips of the tentacles for a clubbing, whence the name
“ clavata ” — clubbed. These organs have not the slightest
tendency to such a form as the term implies. The name
which I adopt was given, I believe, in honour of the late
Robert Ball, LL.D., an eminent marine zoologist.

I found the species not uncommon at AVeymouth in
1853, especially on the ledges that are exposed at the
recess of the tide, under Byng Cliff. Its habit is to limk
in narrow fissures in the cavities of the under side of large
flat stones, and not unfrequently in the deserted holes of
Pholas or Saxicava. The disk is very wide and flat ; and,
as it is also very expansile, it spreads itself to a consider-
able distance around the margin of its hole. So essential is
it to its comfort, however, that it should have a retirement,
that if it be put into an aquarium, though it may at first
affix itself to a flat stone or to the sui-face of a shell, it will
creep away, by means of its base, till it find some loose
stone, under which it will insinuate itself till it is quite

M. Rathke had named clavata an Actinia, which he found on the coast
of Norway, in 1843.

t See ante, p. 75,

THE KED-yPECKED PIMPLET.

201

concealed ; or a narrow crevice, as between two contiguous
stones, into which it may thrust its body. The variety
Iivida, which is not rare in Weymouth Bay, in deep
water, manifests the same habit, for it is usually found to
have ensconced itself in one of the angular cells or cham-
bers formed by the coral-like plates of Eschara foliacea,
which afford retreat to so many and so various creatures.

A remarkable peculiarity of this species is the degree to
which it becomes transparent by distension with water.
The effect of this is not the general swelling of the body,
as in T. crassicornis, which is remarkable for the same habit
effected in another way, but a gi-eat dilatation of the disk
and tentacles, which then expand to an extraordinary
degree, becoming so diaphanous as to be almost destitute of
colour, and showing with absolute clearness the craspeda
in the intersepts of the visceral cavity.

The species is hardy in captivity, and the varieties a and
/8 are veiy beautiful, especially the former. The variety 7
has not unfrequently beguiled me, on a hasty examination,
into the notion that S. hellis was before me ; and I think
that these two species form links by which the families
Bunodidce and SagartiadcB are connected. There is also a
remote affinity between this species and Aipt. Couchii.

My friend, Mr. F. II. West, has received B. Ballii from
the French coast of the Channel. On our own side it
ranges in tolerable abundance from the Hampshire coast to
the Lizard, as the following list will indicate : —

Selsey; Ventnor, G. G. : Freshwater Bay, F. N. B. :
Weymouth; Torquay, P. 11. G. : Falmouth, TF. P. C.

thallia.

Sag. bellis. Ballii. Aip. Couchii.
[cruentata].

[Macloviana].

ASTR.^ACEA.

BUNODIDJi.

I

THE DIADEM PIMPLET.

Bunodes coronata.

Plate VII. Fig. 4.

Specific Character. Warts almost confined to ujiper half of column, in
lines and irregularly scattered ; sub-equal, small.

Bunodes coronata. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 3, ii. 194.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to shells, scarcely exceeding column.

Column. Cylindrical in expansion, much higher than wide ; covered on
the upper two-thirds with moderately numerous small warts, neither per-
forate nor excavate ; they are arranged in twelve longitudinal rows, with
irregularly scattered ones between ; and are generally wanting towards the
base. Skin between the warts smooth, and when distended having a satiny
lustre. AVhole column invested with a thin drab epidermis, deciduous in
ragged shreds, but adhering pretty firmly. A distinct parapet, with a
smooth sharp edge, but no appreciable fosse.

Dish. Circular, flat, but often protruded so as to be convex, or to form
a low cone ; radii distinct.

Tentacles. In five rows; 6, 6, 12, 24, 48=96. They are sub-marginal,
the first row springing at about three-quarter radius ; they are shorter
than radius, diminishing outwardly, conical, sub-acute.

Mouth, Large, protrusile : lip sharp : throat evertile, coarsely furrowed.

Colour.

Column. A rich orange, or orange-scarlet, with the warts either paler or
darker than the ground-colour. Edge of parapet cream-white, immediately
below which the margin is marked alternately with square patches of
dark purplish chocolate, and narrower spaces of whitish (twelve marks of
each colour in adults, six of each in young) ; these, from the fine contrasts
of colour, when the button is not quite closed, have a very striking and
characteristic effect, as if the animal were surmounted by an elegant
coronet.

Bisk. Red, varying from pellucid scarlet to a reddish ehocolate ; each
mdius bearing a longitudinal central streak of white, which does not reach

THE DIADEM TIMPLET.

either tentacle or lip, and bounded by a very fine
white line on each side ; thus is produced a pat-
tern of fine radiating lines of white on red. Some-
times the lines are irregularly blotched and dilated,
with ragged edges.

Tentacles. Pellucid, nearly colourless, crossed by
three dim sub-opaque white bars, of which the middle
one is most distinct ; near the base ai-e two chocolate
bars, generally divided by a central longitudinal line
of pellucid white, giving the appearance of four dark
spots set in square. Sometimes one bar is nearly or
quite obliterated.

Month. Lip whitish. Throat rich orange-scarlet ;
the furrows darker than the ridges.

SiZK.

Diameter of column in button, one and a quarter inch ; height tsvo inches
expanse of flower one inch.

Locality.

The south coast of Devon ; moderately deep water.

Varieties.

o. Patricia. The rich orange-scarlet condition ju.st described.

fi. Plcheia. The column of a dirty light brown ; the markings of the
marginal coronet distinct, but duller. The usually red ground of the disk
replaced by deep brown, and the white lines by i^ellucid drab ; the whole
intemipted by four or five bi’oad irregular radial bands of pure white.
The bars of the tentacles obsolete.

This fine species first occurred to myself when dredging
oft’ Berry Head, in about twenty fathoms, in August,
1858. Three or four specimens came up in about the same
number of liauls. In every case the animal was adherent
to the shell of the living Turritella terehra, a mollusk
which is so abundant there that the dredge comes up half-
filled with it. The base of the Bunodes clasps the long
turreted shell, nearly enveloping it when adult, only the
apex and the mouth of the shell being exposed.

.Other specimens have occurred since in similar circum-
stances; and Mr. Densham, a collector of Torquay, informs
me that in October he obtained a group of eight or ten
adhering to a mass of oysters.

203

TENTACLE
{front riete).

204

BUNOD1D.E.

It is manifest that this species departs considerably from
the type of Bunodes. The irregularity of the warting, the
conical form of the tentacles, and their style of colouring,
in alternate undefined rings, and the occasional eversion
of the walls of the throat, indicate a sensible approach
to the following genus. It is always to abeiTant species
that we look for cross affinities ; and therefore I was more
gratified than surprised to see in this animal evident
marks of connexion, both in appearance and habit, with the
Sagartiadce. Before I had seen it expand, I suspected it
to be S. parasitica, especially when in the act of unfolding.
It has much resemblance to that species, as well as to 8.
coccinea, with which it was associated ; for a number of this
little species occurred in the same dredge-hauls ; these also
adherent to the shells of the Turritellce. The whole aspect
of the Diadem Pimplet, including the colouring, is that of
a Sagartia, though the preponderance of its characters deter-
mines it to Bunodes. It is interesting, in this relation, to
notice, that one specimen in my possession protruded from
the mouth a bundle of what appeared to be true acontia.

The species lives well in a tank ; where it readily deserts
its shell, and attaches itself to stones, or the vessel. It is
lively, opening freely, frequently constricting its column, and
changing its form with considerable rapidity; its vivacity and
brilliant colour render it an acquisition to the aquarium.

Both the scientific and the English appellations by which
I distinguish the species, allude to the coronet of purple
spots which surround the margin.

Berry Head, P. H. G. : Torbay, E. W. H. H. : off
Teignmouth, G. II. King.

Ballii.

Sag. parasitica. CORONATA. Sag. coccinea.
T. crassicornis.

205

GENUS III. TEALIA (Gosse).

Actinia (Linn.).

Cribrina (Eiikenb.).

Cereiis^ (Milne Edwards).

Banodes (Qosse).

Base exceeding the column.

Coliumi not pillar-like ; the diameter usually much
exceeding the height. Surface studded with per-
manent rounded warts, which are hollow, and have a
strong adhesive power, irregularly scattered, or not
set in vertical lines. Margin denticulate. Substance
cartilaginous.

Bisk flat, circular in outline, considerably over-
lapping the column. Radii inconspicuous.

Tentacles not very numerous, arranged in several
rows, sub-marginal ; short, thick, and conical ; uni-
colorous, or marked with undefined rings or bands
of alternate colours ; perfectly retractile.

Mouth raised on a cone ; stomach habitually pro-
truded to a great extent.

Muscular system highly developed ; very dense, and
of a cartilaginous firmness.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Warts unequal : stomach and warts red ; tentacles un-
handed digitaia.

Warts equal : stomach and warts grey ; tentacles banded . cramc<yrnU.

ABTRJEACEA.

BVNOBIDjE.

THE MAEIGOLD AV^VKTLET.

Tealia digitata.

Plate VI. Fig. 10.

Specific Character. Warts unequal; stomach and warts red; tentacles
not handed.

Actinia digitata. Muller, Zool. Dan, iv. 16; pi. cxxxiii. Alder, Zooph.

of Northumberland and Durham, 44.

Cereus digitatus. Milne Edwards, Corall. i. 272,

Tealia digitata. Gosse, Ann. Nat. Hist. Ser. 3, i. 417.

/

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adhering to shells, often exceeding the column; outline undulate.

Column. Cylindrical, about as high as wide, sometimes dilated and
« overarching above. Margin smooth, parapeted. Surface studded with
large warts, having a tendency to form transverse rows, but with no
perpendicular arrangement. “ A row of larger warts is usually found on
the upper part, which, when the tentacles are withdrawn, form a tuber-
culated margin to the aperture.” ( J. A.)

DisTc. Flat, often partly everted and overarching. Radii strongly
marked.

Tentacles. Numerous, in three or four rows, stoutly conical, bluntly
pointed, the first row largest, diminishing to the outmost, which are papil-
lary : carried arching outwards.

Mouth. Throat evertile, strongly ribbed.

Colour.

Column. Scarlet-orange, with paler warts.

Dish. Dull red.

Tentacles. Dull red, unbanded, a little deeper towards the tip.

Mouth." Ribs of throat brownish-orange.

2

li.Ai'i; \’i

I_6

ACTINIA MESEMBRYANTHEMUM

9

ANTHEA

CE RE US

7

A CHIOCOCCA

10

TEALI A

DICITAT A

8.

SACARTIA CHRYSOSPLEN lUM

1 1

SACARTIA VIDUATA

THE MARIGOLD \YARTLET.

207

Size.

Columu one and a half inch high, and the same wide. Expanse about
two inches.

Locality.

Coast of Northumberland and Cornwall. Deep water.

The name by which I have disting-uished this genus is
given as a tribute to the skill and acumen of Mr. Thomas
Pridgin Teale, of Leeds, who published, an elaborate and
excellent Memoir on the anatomy of the following species.
The English appellation is sufficiently obvious. The specific
term di'gitata, “ fingered,” doubtless alludes to the thick
conical form and dull reddish hue of the tentacles, in which
the Danish zoologist saw a resemblance to fingers, — those
of a ploughman or a scullery-maid, surely !

I distinguish this species from crassicornis on the autho-
rity of Mr. Joshua Alder, of Newcastle, who first mentioned
it as British, in his Catalogue of the Zoophytes of that
coast. The same gentleman has kindly favoured me -with
several drawings of the species, executed with his well-
known beauty and precision (one of which is reproduced
in my Plate), as well as with his MS. notes, from all of
which combined I have compiled the foregoing diagnosis.
3Ir. Alder entertains no doubt of its specific distinctness ;
’ and his numerous opportunities of seeing it alive and
comparing it with the more common kind, render his
opinion valuable. lie says, “ It is the most coriaceous and
warty species that I am acquainted with.” x\nd again,
“ It is always much smaller than crassicornis, more tough
and coriaceous, with larger warts, and constantly of a pale
red colour.”

“ It is not uncommon,” adds the same excellent natu-
ralist, “ in deep water on our coast ; and as the cod-fishing
boats arc coming into port frequently at this season [April],

208

BUNOD1D.E.

I may be able to get you a specimen, though not in a
lively condition.”

Among the numerous drawings of Actinoids for which I
am indebted to Mr. W. P. Cocks, there are two which he
has not named, but which are evidently identical with the
Northumbrian species. Thus I am able to assign it to the
Cornish coast. These are the only British localities I yet
know for it.

DIGITATA.

crassicorms.

ASTRJiACEA.

BUNODIDjE.

THE DAHLIA WARTLET.

Tealia crassicornis.

Platk IV. Fig. 1.

Specific Character, Warts equal; stomach and warts grey; tentacles
generally banded.

Actinia felina et A. senilis,
crassicornis.

Holsatica.

? fiscella.

? bimaculata.
coriacea.

getnmacea.

Crihrina coriacea.
Isacmcea papillosa.
Btmodes crassicornis.

Tealia crassicornis.

Linn. Syst. Nat. 1088.

Muller, Prod. Zool. Dan. 231. Fabk. Faun.
Grcenl. 348. Johnston, Br. Zooph. i. 226 ;
pi. xl. Gosse, Devonsh. Coast, 34. Cocks,
Rep. Corn. Soc. 1851, 7 ; pi. ii. fig- 1.
Muller, Zool. Dan. iv. 23, pi. cxxxix. '

Ibid. Ibid. iii. 3, pi. Ixxxii. figs. 5, 6 (Juv. f).
Grube, Actinien, 4, fig. 4.

Cuvier, Tabl. dldm. 653 ; RSgne Anim. ed. 1,
iv. 51. Rapp, Poly pen, 51, pi. i. fig. 3.
Teale, Trans. Leeds Soc. i. 91, pis. ix. — xi.
Johnston, Br. Zooph. i. 224 ; pi. xxxix.
figs. 1, 2. Cocks, Rep. Corn. Soc. 1851, 7 ;
pi. ii. fig. 2. Tuqwell, Man. Sea Anem. 54,
pi. iii.

Dalyell, Rem. Anim. Scotl. 223 ; pi. xlviii.
figs. 1, 2. JoHNST. Br. Zooph., Ed. i. 213,
Couch, Com. Fauna, iii. 76.

Ehrenb. Corail. Roth. Meeres, 40.

Ibid. Ibid. 33.

Gosse, Trans, Linn, Soc. xxi. 274 ; Man. Mar.

Zool. i. 29, fig. 42.

Ibid. Ann. N. H. Ser. 3, i. 417.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks and stones. In general not much exceeding
the column.

Column. Rarely pillar-like. In expansion, the diameter greatly ex-
ceeding the height. Surface covered with small hollow adhesive warts,

P

210

BUNODIDiE.

sometimes having a tendency to run in longitudinal lines, but more
generally irregularly scattered, leaving intervals of three or four times
their diameter in ordinary states of distension, and these intervals have
often a silky lustre. Substance firm and even cartilaginous. Margin
entire, but roughened with the scattered waits, forming a thick parapet,
separated from the tentacles by a broad fosse. In freedom, the column is
generally more or less disguised by fragments of stone and shell adhering
to the suckers.

Disk. Flat, circular in outline, plane but overarching. Radii con-
spicuous chiefly by colour.

Tentacles. Arranged in five rows, the first set at about half radius, —
5, 5, 10, 20, 40 = 80; the first and second so nearly equidistant from the
centre as to seem but one. Their form is conical, thick at the foot,
regularly tapering to a point, which is sometimes slightly inflated. The
animals appear to have the power of changing the shape of these organs at
will ; for I have had individuals, in which the tentacles, after having for
a while bonie the ordinary conical form, suddenly became nearly cylin-
drical, with truncate extremities, and maintained this form for a long time.
These organs are nearly equal among themselves, and their length is about
equal to one-third of the diameter of the disk. They are capable of little
flexure, and are generally spread in a regular star-like manner, the outer
rows deflected, the inner erect, and the intermediate ones horizontal. They
are powerfully adhesive.

Mouth. Frequently elevated on an eminence of varying form and
dimensions. Throat and stomach often protruded to such an extent as to
conceal the whole disk. Qonidial tubercles two pairs, small.

Colour.

Column. Dull green, streaked and flaked with crimson, with pale grey
warts.

Disk. Glaucous-olive, with conspicuous radial bands proceeding from
each outer tentacle, in pairs, which curve around the foot of each tentacle
of the higher rows, and are lost at varying distances from the centre ;
those paii-s which enclose the inner tentacles extend farthest and are most
conspicuous. The colour of these bands is scarlet, often edged with white,
and they are highly characteristic of the species.

Tentacles. Pellucid light bi'own, with a band of opaque white across the
foot, which frequently stretches a little way up each side: a broad baud
of crimson surrounds the middle, bounded below, and sometimes above, by
a narrower band of sub-opaque white. All these bands are undefined, and
are often rendered sub-pellucid by distension.

Mouth. Generally tinged with crimson. Gonidial tubercles crimson.
Throat and stomach light grey.

TIIK DAHLIA WARTLET.

211

Size.

Diameter of column frequently three inches ; expanse of flower five ;
height two. Specimens from deep water are occasionally much larger
than this.

Locality.

The Atlantic coasts of Europe, universally distributed ; in tide-pools,
and crevices and angles of rocks, near low-water mark ; and in deep water.
I am not certain whether it extends to the Mediterranean.

Varieties.

The colours of this species are very sportive, and scarcely two specimens
can be found exactly alike ; but all these modifications may be traced to
difierent degrees of predominance of the hues above mentioned. This
variety, from its resemblance to a streaked apple, may be named, —

a. Meloides.

$. Purpurea. Column wholly dull crimson ; disk crimson, with the
radial bands and sometimes the central region more brilliant than the rest.
Tentacles pellucid crimson, with purplish bands.

y. Insignis. As $, but the tentacles pellucid white, with broad and con-
spicuous bands of opaque white. (PI. iv. fig. 1.)

5. A urea. Column yellow, from alight straw or brimstone colour to the
hue of a ripe apricot.

*. Tilis. All colour lost in a semi-pellucid dusky grey. (Deep-water
specimens generally very large.)

In my “ Devonshire Coast” (p. 36), I stated, with the
reasons which led me to it, my firm conviction that what had
hitherto been considered as two species, under the names
of A. crassicornis and A. coriacea, were one and the same.
Seven years’ additional experience has only added to the
strength of that conviction, and I have not been able to
find a single stable character on which their separation
could be grounded. It is equally clear which of the two
specific names must stand. Rejecting Linnaeus’s as out of
the question, we find that crassicornis was applied to the
species by Muller, twenty-one years before Cuvier called it
coriacea. With regard to significance, both appellations
are good, perhaps equally good ; tlie former indicating the

p 2

212

BUNODIDiE.

thick horn-like form of the tentacles, the latter tlie tough
and leathery consistence of the flesh. The law of priority,
however, must be obeyed.

Scarcely less abundant than Act. mesemhryanthemum,
this magnificent species is sown broadcast upon all om'
shores, and seems everywhere to be equally common. In
its habits, however, it is widely difierent from that favom-
courting species. Somebody has illustrated the character
of two peoples by saying, that if an Englishman retires
from business and builds a box, he raises a high wall, and
plants a shrubbery before it, to keep off the eye of the
profanum vulgm ; but a Frenchman under similar cir-
cumstances builds his house on the very edge of the high-
way, and takes his meals in the verandah. If this be true,
the Actinia is a Frenchman, the Tealia an Englishman.
You may hunt among the rocks till the rising tide covers
them, and, finding hundreds of Beadlets, but not a single
Dahlia, go away with the conviction, that the latter is a
scarce species ; but to-morrow, an initiated friend accom-
panies you to the same spot, and, pointing with his toe to
an angle, says, “ Here they are! and here! and here! —
three, four, half-a-dozen in a group !” and you are tired of
collecting before the profusion fails.

It is in the angles formed by some great boulder with
the beach, that the crassicornis delights to dwell ; and here,
according to his recluse habits, he chooses to conceal
his showy person from intruding eyes, by covering himself
with a coat of gravel and fragments of shell, which he has
attached to his adhesive suckers, till only the experienced
eye can detect the difierence between the animal and the
surrounding rubbish.

Not seldom, however, do we meet with a colony in
some persistent rock-pool, in whose never-ebbing fulness
the gorgeous creatures remain almost permanently ex-

THE DAHLIA W’ARTLET.

213

panded, despising, or not needing, the precaution of con-
cealment practised bj their tide-deserted brethren of the
beach. It is a remarkable example of the economy of
creation, that these tide-pool specimens, as well as those
which are brought up from deep water, rarely, if ever,
indue their bodies with an extraneous covering.

In such pools crassicornis makes a noble appearance.
His great size, the wide expanse of the flower, the thick
tentacles so symmetrically disposed, and the rich hues
often finely contrasted, — make it by far the most showy of
our native species. By some of our fair collectors it has
been named the Dahlia; a comparison which the size,
symmetry, and varying hues of that favourite flower render
not inapt. I have accordingly adopted it ; designating the
preceding orange-hued species by the appellation of the
Marigold.

The resemblance has been acknowledged by one more
conversant with flowers than even the ladies. “ On one
occasion,” observes Hr. Jonathan Couch,* “ while watching
a specimen that was covered merely by a rim of water,,
a Bee, wandering near, darted through the water to the
mouth of the animal, evidently mistaking the creature for
a flower ; and though it struggled a great deal to get free,
was retained till it was drowned, and was then swallowed.”

Mr. E. L. Williams, who has enjoyed unusual opportu-
nities of acquaintance with the deep sea, writes me con-
cerning this species as follows : — “ When diving in bells at
Dover, at the Admiralty Pier, in eight to ten fathoms’
water, I have often seen it, generally on the tops or sides
of lumps of rock. The yEsop Prawn \Dandalm annuli-
cornis Avas very common there, and seemed its food. I
never saw a closed crassicornis in deep water, except while
catching its prey.”

* In Johnston’s Brit. Zooph. i. 225 ; et in litt. priv.

214

BUNODID^.

My esteemed friend, Professor E. P. ^^'^right, of Dublin,
has favoured me with one of his vivid pictures, in which
this species forms a prominent feature. It will be read
with interest : —

“ There is a very fine cave here, [Crookhaven, county
Cork,] entered at either high or low water by a boat, whose
entrance is guarded on both sides by a long low reef of
rocks, and of a depth at low water of about ten or twelve
feet. The sea-floor is shaped somewhat like a Spanish hulk,
i.e. rather flat at the bottom, and then rising up gradually
and ‘ wideningly ’ to a distance far above our heads, and
then ending in an arch formed of sharp-pointed icicles of
the by-me-never-to-be-forgotten Devonian slates. To this
cave all the fat and fair anemones of the county seem to be
sent, when once they have reached a good bodily condition.
The cavern is of ample dimensions, so they don’t crush
each other for room ; and the regular manner in which they
dispose of themselves is worthy of note. Actinia mesem-
hryanthemum — the green, scarlet, and strawberry varieties
— occupied the highest row, some of them partly out of the
water; they had eyes, and kept a ‘look-out’ for the rest.
Then came Sag. venusta and Sag. nivea, lovingly inter-
mixed, and in a large broad band some four feet deep.
Then there came an empty row of benches, necessary to
keep the tenants of the galleries from the aldermen in the
pit, for it was filled with T. crassicornis. 1 verily believe
the biggest of the big were here ; and the commonest
variety was the one with the white tentacles and red disk —
a splendid show for size of specimens and magnificence of
colour. This cave of Anemones never can be surpassed,
and seldom will the wild grandeur of the cliffs, a hundred
feet and more high, with the Atlantic waves rolling in to
fill up the picture, — be equalled.”

The voracity of this fine creature is remarkable. The

THE DAHLIA WARTLET.

215

Shore-crab ( Carcinus) is its ordinary prey, but it feeds on
limpets, and other MoUusca. Dr. Johnston tells of one
that had swallowed a valve of the Great Scallop, and of
the strange result;* Dr. E. P. Wright had one which
discharged as the remains of his evening’s meal, “ a mode-
rate sized Fusus, and a mass of Nereids and Shrimps, that
exhaled such a fearful smell as killed all my tank-full ; ”
and one in Mr. F. II. West’s possession actually made
a bonne houclie of an Echinus miliarts, as large as a shilling,
making no bones of the spines. Two days afterwards
the shell of the Urchin was disgorged, perfectly empty,
denuded of its spines, the oral plates crnshed in, and partly
wanting. The common Blenny and other fishes frequently
fall victims to the rapacity of this gourmand, which spares
not its own kindred.

The tentacles are very adhesive, as is sufficiently mani-
fest to our fingers, when we touch them ; and contact with
these organs is amply sufficient to resist the most vigorous
attempts to escape of the animals above-mentioned.

Beautiful as is the Dahlia, it is not a very frequent
tenant of our aquariums ; as it is one of the most difficult
to keep. I have, however, kept specimens for four and
five months; and Mr. West still longer; for the epicure
whose urchin-diet is recorded above, had been then nine
months in captivity. It appears to be little able to sustain
extremes of temperature. The heat of summer is generally
fatal to our captive specimens ; and a severe winter makes
havoc among those which are in the enjoyment of freedom.
After the intense and protracted frost of February, 1855,
the shores of South Devon were strewn with dead and
dying Anemones, principally of this species, which were
rolled helplessly on the beach, their bodies almost concealed
by the protruding craspeda. This symptom is almost the

* Brit. Zoopb. i. 235.

216

BUNODID^.

invariable accompaniment of disease and death in crassi-
cornis ; these organs are present in unusual profusion, and
are forced out at ruptures of the integument, by the con-
tractions of the animal. The mesenteric membrane by
which they are united to the septa is capable of great
expansion : Sir John Daly ell has seen it protruded and
spread up the side of a glass vessel, to the breadth of an
inch. I have seen a similar phenomenon, but not quite to
the same extent, in Peachia hastata.

As in the case of A. mesemhryanthemum, the ubiquity of
this species renders a catalogue of its localities unnecessary:
it is distributed everywhere on the British coasts.

Of foreign species, so far as may be conjectured from
published figures and descriptions (often imperfect), the
following may belong to this genus : Artemisia (Dana)
from N. W. America ; pluvia (Dana) from Peru ; gemma
(Dana) from Cape Verd Isles; papillosa and ocellata
(Lesson) both from Peru; fusco-ruhra (Quoy et Gaim.)
from the Tonga Isles. Of these the first-named seems
intermediate between the present species and B. thallia.

B. thallia.

Anthea. [Artemisia].

Bolocera. crassicornis.

[Phymactis]. H. Margaritse. [Echinactis].

Actinia. St. Churchise. [Cystiactis].

Sagartia.

Tealia Greenei (Wright).

Dr. E. P. Wright finds on the Irish coast a Tealia,
which he thinks new, and for which he proposes the name
of T. Oreenei. The parapet is much smoother than in

THE DAHLIA WARTLET.

217

erassicornis, the tentacles much longer and more slender,
the warts fewer and of a purplish hue. He has favoured
me with a spirited drawing of it, but I cannot satisfy
myself that it is anything more than T. erassicornis.

Tealia tuberculata (Cocks).

In the Keport of the Cornwall Polytechnic Society for
1851, Mr. W. P. Cocks has described and figured a species,
which he names Actinia tuberculata. “ Body globular, light-
brown, densely covered with large greyish-white tubercles,
the apex of each tubercle depressed; disk white; mouth
large; lips thick, con-ugated, and everted; tentacula nume-
rous, large, obtuse, some bifurcated, others trifurcated.
Diameter three and a half inches when contracted.” By
private communication I learn farther particulars. It was
obtained thirteen miles south-west from Falmouth, attached
to a valve of Pecten maximus ; it lived with ^Ir. Cocks for
some months. “ Bulky, rather loose in texture, when fully
expanded covering the bottom of a large pan, — it had the
appearance of a mammoth hellis. It appeared to be ex-
tremely irritable, and upon the slightest provocation would
throw off from its body a large quantity of thick glaire,
which, if allowed to remain, produced a disagi'eeable smell.
When contracted it had the appearance of a half-boiled
sago pudding.”

I ventured to suggest that it might have been a great
colourless deep-water specimen of erassicornis; but ]\Ir.
Cocks repudiates the identification, while he admits the
relationship. The tendency of the tentacles to a monstrous
fission seems to me its most marked peculiarity. It may
be distinct.

218

GENUS IV. HORMATHIA (Gosse).

Base adherent; greatly expanded.

Column pillar-like, much corrugated, surrounded
by a single horizontal row of warts.

Disk slightly concave ; scarcely exceeding the
column.

Tentacles moderately long and slender; perfectly
retractile.

There is but a single known species, H. Mar^arilcs.

ASTRJiACEA.

BUNODIBjE.

THE NECKLET.

Hormathia Margaritce.

Plate YIII. Fig. 1.

Specific Character. White, with purple tentacles.

Hoi'malhia Margaritce. Gosse, Annals Nat. Hist. Ser, 3, iiL 47.

? Actinia nodosa. Fabkicius, Faun. Groenl. p. 350; No. 341.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Very closely adherent to a living Fnsus antiquus; far exceeding
the column, and clasping the shell.

Col umn. Skin delicate, much coiTugated transversely ; below the margin
a horizontal row of large well-defined warts, about ten in number ; summit
extremely corrugated, and falling into radiating folds in incipient reti-acta-
tion. A slight but distinct margin.

Disk. Slightly concave ; outline almost circular.

Tentacles. Arranged in two or three rows, rather long, sub-equal, but
the inner row somewhat longer than the outer; when fully expanded,
curving over the margin.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone, slightly corrugated.

Colour.

Column. White.

Disk. White, streaked with very light brown.

Tentacles. Dark reddish purple, without any markings.

Mouth. Lip slightly yellow.

Size.

Diameter two inches ; height two inches.

LocALirr.

Moray Firth, near Banff ; deep water.

THE NECKLET.

220 .

For this magnificent species I am indebted to the
kindness of the Rev. Walter Gregor, who obtained it in
October last, from the lines of a deep-sea fishing-boat, and
forwarded it to me. It was dead, however, when it reached
me ; but his own careful notes and sketches, made while it
was alive, have enabled me, in combination with my own
imperfect observations, to characterize it as above. As he
had never seen another specimen, I can add no more parti-
culars of its history.

The name of the genus I have formed from op/ia^o?, a
necklace of pearls, and the English appellation perpetuates
the same allusion. The specific name is given at the
discoverer’s request, in honour of a lady, one of his most
esteemed friends. Tlie unsullied pearly whiteness of the
animal, as well as its necklace, gives a peculiar propriety
to this name, — margarita signifying a pearl.

The genus is aberrant in this family ; the paucity of
warts, and the soft and thin texture of the skin, departing
manifestly from the typical forms. It approaches the
SagartiadcB through Adamsia palUata and Sagartia para-
sitica, with both of which it has obvious relations.

T. crassicornis.

Margarita.

Sag. parasitica. St. Churchiae.

Ad. palliata. Sag. miniata.

221

GENUS V. STOMPIIIA (Gosse).

Base adherent, expanded.

Column pillar-like; without warts or suckers, im-
perforate (?) ; skin much corrugated ; substance not
at all cartilaginous, but soft and lax.

Bisk very protrusile.

Tentacles perfectly retractile.

Acontia not present.

Only one species has been yet recognised, S.
Churchicp..

ASTR^ACEA.

BUNODIBM.

THE GAPELET.

StompMa Churchim.

Plate VIII, Fig. 5.

Specific Character. Body dashed with scarlet on white or yellow ; ten-
tacles white, with scarlet bands.

Stomphia Churchiee. OossE, Ann. Nat. Hist. Ser. 3, iii. 48.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks in deep water, expansile considerably beyond
the column.

Column. Very protean in shape, generally a short thick pillar, sometimes
constricted hourglass fashion or like a dice-box ; the base sometimes
detaches itself, and becomes very concave with sharp edges, or, on the
other hand, protrudes as a low cone. Skin much and irregularly cor-
rugated transversely, and also longitudinally from the margin a little way
downwards, thus giving a decussate appearance to the upper liortion.
Margin distinct, but without parapet or fosse, the outer tentacles springing
from the very edge. Substance pulpy, or softly fleshy, very lax.

Dish. Flat, but often protruded as a low cone ; radii well marked.

Tentacles. About 60, arranged in four rows, viz. 6, 6, 12, 36; sub-equal,
the inner slightly longer than the outer, conical, much corrugated in con-
traction ; when expanded, about equal in length to half the diameter of
the disk ; generally carried horizontally spreading, or descending with the
tips slightly up-curving.

Mouth. Often widely opened. Lip sharp, protrusile, forming a narrow,
low, circular wall.

Colour.

Column. Cream-white deepening to positive yellow, most irregularly
sprinkled with dashes and streaks of rich scarlet, very much like a flaked
carnation.

THE GAPELET.

223

Dlsl:. White or yellowish white, pellucid.

Tentacles. White or yellowish white, pellucid, marked with three
remote rings of scarlet, and, on the lower half of their front face, with
two parallel stripes of the same hue, running longitudinally to the foot,
sometimes confluent throughout or in part. These lateral stripes vary
much in distinctness and size even in the tentacles of the same indi-
vidual ; occasionally they run in upon the radii, and at times they are
qviite obsolete.

Mouth. Edge of lip rich scarlet, “ like the nectary of the Hoop-petti-
coat Narcissus;” the colour sharply defined without, but within blending
off quickly into the throat, which is white and strongly furrowed. Interior
of gonidial tubercles scarlet.

Size.

Column. Two inches and a half in height, and the same in diameter ;
flower about three inches in expanse.

Locality.

All round the Scottish coasts, in deep water.

Varieties.

a. Lychnucha. The condition just described.

/3. Incensa. The red of the column predominant and almost wholly
confluent, interrupted merely by a few yellow flakes.

y. Extincta. Column and disk pure white ; lip faintly tinged with red ;
tentacles having the usual scarlet bars and the scarlet foot-lines : the latter
faint but distinct, and running in far upon the radii.

S. Pyriylotta. Colours nearly as a ; but remarkable for its large size,
and the short thick-set form of the tentacles, which give it a considerable
resemblance to Tealia crassicomis.

In the month of January, 1857, I was favoured with a
eommunication from Miss Church of Glasgow, containing
descriptions and figures of this showy and undescribcd
species, a specimen of which she had procured in Loch
.Long, in the previous summer. It liad been brought up
in the meshes of a turbot net. Its brilliant hues, and their
flaked arrangement, the protean variability of its shape,
and its vivacity, attracted her notice, as did also the fact
that it discharged a multitude of globular ova, of the size
of mustard-seed, and of a rich scarlet hue.

224

BUNODIDiE.

Last May, Mr. C. W. Peach, of Wick, sent me numerous
sketches, some of which were coloured, of an Anemone
which lie had obtained at Peterhead, in April, 1850, and
again in December, 1851 ; on each occasion from the hook
of a fisherman’s deep-sea line. These were manifestly
identical with Miss Church’s specimen.

It was not, however, until October, 1858, that I became,
through the kind zeal of the llev. W. Gregor, of Macduff,
personally acquainted with this fine species. Within three
months he has sent me, on different occasions, half-a-dozen
individuals, including all the varieties distinguished above,
wliich argues its variability of character. This gentleman
has been familiar with it for several years, as a not un-
common inhabitant of the deep water of the Moray Frith.
It is observable that all the specimens on record have been
obtained by means of the deep-sea fishing boats.

The generic name I have formed from wide-

mouthed ; and the English appellation alludes to the same
peculiarity, which is highly characteristic. The specific
name is in honour of the kind correspondent to whom I am
indebted for my first knowledge of the animal.

]\Iore aberrant even than llormathia from the typical
Bimodidcc, and about equally intermediate between this
family and the Sagartiadie, the genus might with equal
propriety be placed in cither. In its general aspect it
rather inclines to the present family, especially by the
intervention of llormathia, Avlth which it has much in
common. I have not been able to find any acontia, but
fragments of craspeda issue from ruptures in the skin, and
have much the appearance of acontiai^

* On two occasions I have seen protrudeii what looked like acontia.
On one, it was very slender, streaming from the mouth to nearly an inch
in length, so that I felt sure it was an acontium, till 1 put it under tlie
nucroscoi)e, when I found throughout the entire length, the ragged evlgo
of the mesentery from which it had been torn. It was but a crasjtedum.

THE GAPELET.

225

The Gapelet is rather difficult of domestication. In
general, it attaches itself (usually to the perpendicular
side of the vessel) for a short time, but soon relinquishes
its hold, and, after rolling about a few days on the bottom,
dies. The approach of death seems to be always symptomed
by spontaneous rupture and sloughing of the skin, and
protrusion of the viscera. One, however, of the variety
jyyriglotUi, the gift of my kind friend, Mr. Gregor, esta-
'blished itself in my largest tank, and survived three
months. My friend Mr. West has had a specimen from
the Yorkshire coast a still longer time.

In health, Stom2)lna is remarkable for its extreme ver-
satility of form. The column is sometimes cylindrical,
sometimes shaped like a dice-box, sometimes like an hour-
glass, while frequently successive constrictions chase one
another along the extent. The base, when the animal is
free, is sometimes concave, at others convex, and occa-
sionally conical, while not unfrequently these forms arc
combined, tlie centre being conical while the rest is concave,
— a cone in a crater. The disk is sometimes a deep bell,
like a Convolvulus ; then a low cone, with the widely-
gaping mouth crowning the summit.

My first consignment from Macduff consisted of two
individuals, which on dissection proved to be of opposite
sexes. They showed no external diversity^f form or
colour, but of one the pale salmon-coloured reproductive
organs, which were very plump and full, w'ere found under
the compressorium to be filled with an infinite multitude of
spermatozoa ; each of which consisted of a long-oval body
*00015 inch in length, and a vibratile tail about thrice as
long. In the other example the mesenteries w*cre loaded
with grape-like ova of a brilliant scarlet hue, varying in
dimensions; — one of the largest measured *03 inch in
diameter. These consisted of an opaque scarlet yelk in a

0

226

BUNODIDiE.

colourless chorion, which was perfectly globular, *0027 inch
in thickness. By flattening some, 1 could discern the
segmentation at the edges, which appeared to be well-
advanced. When ruptured, the yelk escaped from the
larger ones, — a mass of oil-globules of various sizes.

The recognised localities of this species may be tabulated
thus : —

Loch Long, A. B. C.: Peterhead, C. W. P.: Moray
Frith, W. G. : Kedcar, Scarborough, I). F.

T. crassicornis
II. Margaritje
CnuRCHliE.

Bolocera Sagartia.

Stompiiia? spectabii.is (Fabr.).

Mr. Gregor has a strong conviction that there exists, in
the same locality, an Anemone closely allied to the above,
in w'hich the colours are blue and green, arranged in a
flaked or splashed manner, like the scarlet and yellow of
S. ChurcMce. This statement reminds me of the Actinia
spectabilis of Greenland, which “ has the body smooth, blue
or green, st»ipcd longitudinally with rows of white points,
and thick tentacles paler than the body, and spotted with
white.”* From the locality of this species, it would be
not unlikely to occur on the northern coasts of Scotland.

*

Fjibriciua, Fauna Qrceul. p. 351, No. 342, b.

227

FAMILY VL— ILYANTHID^.

When Johnston published his second edition of the
“ British Zoophytes,” a single Free Anemone alone was
recognised : I shall have to include in the family at least
a dozen, known to inhabit our seas, with two or three
others as yet obscurely indicated ; a number considerably
greater than M. Milne Edwards assigns to the whole world,
in his “ Histoire Naturelle des Coralliaires,” published
little more than a year ago.

The IlyanthidcE form a very natural group, readily dis-
tinguished by the important character, that they possess
no adherent base ; the column, which is generally length-
ened, terminating below in a rounded, often more or less
retractile, extremity. Hence they are characteristically
unattached ; but many of the species, perhaps all, possess
an adherent power in the entire surface of the column, by
means of which they can readily crawl over a solid body.
Most of them inhabit tubes, which may be membranous
and free, as in Cerianthus ; membranous and investing
epidermically, as in Edv:ardsia ; or mere burrows in the
sand or mud, as in Ilalcampa, Feachia, and Ilyanthus.
Most of them have the habit of distending the hinder part
of the column with water, assuming the form of a blown
bladder.

A remarkably vigorous and spasmodic contractility in
this family indicates a more intense muscular force, and
points to a higher physiological rank, than the preceding
families possess.

Q 2

ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA.

TonhvcU's of ono khul, innrgiunl.

Colmnu thick, pcar-shnpoil.

Mouth with a papillate gonidial tube Pftu'hia.

ilouth simple Ilt/anthns.

Column slender, long, worm-shaped.

Invested with an epidermis Pdwardsia.

Without an epidermis JlalcuiHjia.

'I'entacles of two kinds, marginal and gular.

Naked; freely swimming Arachnactis.

Dwelling in a membranous tube ; sedentary.

Column inferiorly perforate Cenanthus.

Column inferiorly imperforate {Not Jh'ittsh) . . Sixccanthug.

r-LLV'I.J

PHELLIA CAUSAPATA 4 . BU N ODE S CORON AT A . 8 . Ct RIANTHUS LLOYD ! '

P MUROCIRCTA. 5 6. EDWARDSIA CARNEA 9. 10. HALCAM PA CHRYSANTH''

CR ‘COR A fENESTRATA. 7 E CALIIMORPHA II. H. MICROPo

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229

♦

GENUS I. ILYANTHUS (Forbes).

Column pear-shaped, tapering to a blunt point at
the inferior extremity, which is probably perforated.*
Surface smooth, without suckers, Avarts, or loopholes.

Tentacles of one kind only, marginal, numerous
(f. e. exceeding thirty).

Mouth of the ordinary form, with no prominent
gonidial development.

* There is no evidence on this point with respect to our two British
species. Dr. Kelaart, in his “ Description of Ceylon Zoophytes,” speaking
of a species, which he has done me the honour to name Peachia Gossei, but
which is evidently an Ilyanthus, says that it has “ an inferior orifice, large
enough to admit a moderate sized probe, which gives passage to ova and
excremeutitious matter.” {Trans, hoy. Asiatic Soc. ; Ceylon Branch.)

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Tentacles slender, filiform, long ; lined Pcoticns,

Tentacles thick, conical, short ; banded Mitchdlii.

ASTR.EACEA.

ILYAXTHTJDJS.

THE SCOTTISH PEARLET.
U^anthus Scoticus.

Specljic Charactei’. Tentacles slender, filiform, long; marked with a
dark line.

Iluanthos Scoticus. Forbes, Ann. X. H. Ser. 1. v. 183. pi. iii. figs. 2, 3.

W. Thompsox, Ann. X. H. Ser. 1. xv. 322. John-
ston, Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2. i. 243. pi. xlv. figs. 1, 2.
M. Edwards, Hist. Xat. des Coralliaires, i. 284.
Ilyanthus Scoticus. Gosse, Man. Mar. Zool. L 30; Ann. X. H. Ser. 3v i. 417.

GEXERAL DESCRIPTIOX.

Form.

Cofumn. Pear-shapetl, large above, tapering to a point at its lower
extremity.

Disk. (“ Mouth,” Forbes ; but probably the Disk is meant.) Round,
and rather small.

Tentacles. Numerous (44, according to Forbes’s figure), long(more than
half as long as the body), slender, filiform, of nejirly equal thickness
throughout (apparently set in two or three rows).

Colour.

Column. Pink, with regular distant longitudinal white stripes.

Tentacles. Greenish, with a dark line down the middle of each ; very
nearly resembling those of Rapp’s Act. ,filiformis.

Size.

Length about an inch and a h.alf.

Locality.

The west coast of Scotland, and the east of Ireland : deep water.

This genus was instituted by the late E. Forbes, to
receive a “ remarkable zoophyte,” which he had dredged

THE SCOTTISH PEARLET.

231

among Corhulm and other inhabitants of mud, in four
fathoms, in Loch Ryan, on the west coast of Scotland,
in 1839. The name of the genus is formed from t\u9,
mud, and av^o9, a flower, and was originally written
Iluanthos ; but, as the Greek used in science is in a Latinized
form, the correct orthography is certainly Ihjanthus. The
English appellation refers to the pear- like form.

ILYANTHUS BCOTICU3

{from Forhes).

When we add that a specimen, presumed to be of this
species, was found on the beach at Balbriggan, in Ireland,
after a storm, in March, 1843, its whole known history is
recorded.

? SCOTICUS. S. viduata.

Mitchellii.

ASTRJiACEA.

JLYANTHIDJE.

THE SCAKLET PEARLET.

riyanthiis MitchelUi.

Plate VIII. Fig. 6.

Specific Character. Tentacles thick, conical, short, marked with trans-
Terse bands.

Iluanthos MitchelUi. Gosse, Ann. N. H. Ser. 2. xii. 128. M. Edwards,

Hist. Nat. des Corall. i. 284.

Jlyanthus MitchelUi. Gosse, Man. Mar. Zool. i. 30, fig. 44 ; Ann. N. H

Ser. 3. i. 418.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Column. Stout, somewhat pear-shaped, thickening from the summit
for about three-fourths of an inch, whence it gradually tapers to a blunt
point, “ in the centre of which is a minute wrinkled disk, which the animal
does not appear to use as an adhesive sucker.” *

Dish. Very protrusile; not so wide as the body ; radii distinct.

Tentacles. About 36, set in two complete rows ; thick, short, conical,
and usually curled. The bases of the two rows are in contact, but the
outer is fully one-sixth of an inch from the margin, and the inner about a.s
far from the base of the oral cone.

Mouth. Prominent, seated on a cone. Lip thick, coarsely furrowed.

Colour.

Column. Upper pai-ts pale scarlet; lower two-thirds flesh-white,
blotched with scarlet ; lower extremity scarlet.

Dish. A ring of purplish-black surrounds the mouth, which is suc-
ceeded by a wider circle of white ; and the remainder of the disk is
pale red.

Tentacles. Pellucid white, marked on theii- front faces with numerous
alternate bands of opaque white and purple, sometimes taking a diagonal

* I quote the words of my original description ; but I suspect that this
appearance was only the retractation of the terminal point.

THE SCARLET PEARLET.

233

direction. The tentacle that is opposite the mouth-angle on each side is
wholly dull purple, with pale bands almost obsolescent.

Mouth. Lip rich scarlet.

Size.

Length about two inches ; greatest diameter one inch.

Locality.

The coast of Dorset ; deep water.

This very fine species came into my possession in the
spring of 1853, when I was engaged in collecting marine
animals for the tanks of the Zoological Society of London.
It was obtained by one of the Weymouth trawlers, who
fish chiefly off the west side of Portland. As it remained
with me but a few hours, and was then forwarded to its
destination, the above description and the figure were all
I could contribute to its history. The species has not been
met with since.

I associated it with Forbes’s Hyanthus (naming it in
honour of D. W. Mitchell, Esq. the Secretary of the
Zoological Society) ; but it appears to approach nearer to
Peachia than that species. Fuller observations are much
needed on botli.

Scoticu.?.

MiTCHELLll.

P. hastata.

234

GENUS II. PEACHIA (Gosse).

Siphonactinia (Dan. et Kok.).

Column cylindrical, pear-shaped, or swelling in the
middle, rounded at the posterior extremity, where
there is an orifice ; margin entire, forming an indis-
tinct parapet. Surface smooth, without loopholes,
but studded in every part with very minute and very
numerous suckers.

Disk flat, or very slightly conical, smooth.

Tentacles of one kind, twelve, thick, short, obtusely
pointed ; marginal ; imperfectly retractile.

Mouth not elevated on a cone ; lip thin, abrupt, pro-
trusile, sometimes lobed. A single gonidial groove,
the edges of which are soldered together so as to
form a tube, which terminates above in a thickened,
expanded rim {conchula), the margin of which is more
or less divided.

Acontia wanting.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Column lengthened.

Conchula with from 12 to 20 lobes hastata,

Conchula with 3 ovate lobes triphylla.

Column short.

Conchula with 5 shallow lobes undata.

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ASTRJRACEA.

ILYANTHIDAi.

THE ARROW MUZZLKT.

Peachia hastata.

Plate VIII. Fig. 3.

Specific character. Column lengthened ; conchula bearing from 12 to 20
lobes, which are mostly bifid ; tentacles marked with arrow-heads.

Peachia hattata. Go.sse, Linn. Trans, xxi. 207, pi. xxviii. ; Man. Mar.

Zool. i. 31, fig. 46 ; Ann. N. H. Ser. 3. i. 418.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
Form.

Column. Club-, pear-, or spindle-shaped, or cylindrical, the same indi-
vidual assuming all these forms ; lower extremity rounded, with a minute
central orifice, distinct, but generally closed, and apparently furnished with
a sphincter. Surface smooth, but covered with microscopically minute
suckers, which have the power of strong adhesion to foreign bodies.
Substance fleshy, becoming more membranous below, where, when in-
flated, it resembles a blown bladder.

Disk. Flat, but protrusile, as a low cone ; radii distinct.

Tentacles. Twelve, in one circle,
marginal; short, thick, and some-
what flattened at the foot, tapering
to a point ; generally carried hori-
zontally expanded ; sometimes they
are considerably lengthened and
attenuated.

Mouth. Prominent, with a pro-
trusile cushion-like lip, deeply fur-
rowed.

Conchula. There is but one go-
nidial groove, the edges of which
are united, the suture marked by
a depressed line, on each side of
which the wall is plump. The apical
edge of the tube rises into a con-
spicuous organ (conchula), and is cut into papillary lobes, placed in single
series, but generally so crowded as to overlap each other. Tliey are from 12
to 20 in number, but are not j>erfectly regular either in form or order. Most

CONCHULA AND MODTH OF P. HASTATA
(magnified).

236

ILYA NTH ID Ja.

of them are bifid ; the back lobes have a temlency to be simple, except the
central back one, which is large, and composed of two bifid ones united
on a single stem ; this compound one is generally bent over as a protection
to the orifice of the gonidial tube. The papillae resemble tentacles in that
they are hollow, with thick walls, the internal surface of which is lined
with brown pigment, deepening at the tips ; they are very moveable.

Colour.

Column. Pale red or flesh-colour, through which the edges of the
septa appear as twelve white lines : the fore half of the column is fre-
quently marked with irregular splashes of chocolate-brown, which are
sometimes confluent.

Disk. Pale red or bufif, each radius marked with two Vs of deep
brown, one within the other, the points of which are outwards ; the point
of the outer one meets the tentacle, and sends off a branch on each side,
encompassing its foot.

Tentacles. Pellucid, each marked on its front face with arrow-heads of
deep brown, arranged in two longitudinal rows, the points downwards ;
there are about six in each row, but near the tip they become indistinct.
Each arrow-head is separated from its successor by one of opaque cream
colour or pale sulphur-yellow.

Mouth. White, with the farrows deep brown.

Conchida. Pale salmon-colour; the lobes pellucid, with an opaque
white core, which is crossed by a brown bar neai' the tip.

SiZK,

About four inches in length, and one in greatest diameter. I have seen
the body lengthened to eight inches, without any signal attenuation.

Locality.

Torbay, at extreme low water, and thence downward, buried in sand.

In a paper read before the Linnean Soeiety on the 20tli
of ]\[arch, 1855, I charaeterised this genus and species
from specimens presented to me by the Eev. Charles
Kingsley. I named it after Mr. Charles W. Peach, who
Avas the discoverer of the first British Ilyanthidan known,
Avhich I at that time referred to the same genus. In June,
1856, ]MM. Danielssen and Koren founded, on a speeies
oceurring on the coast of NorAvay, their genus Siphon-
actinia, Avhich is evidently identical Avlth this, though
they appear to have mistaken the conchula for the mouth.

THE ARROW MUZZLET.

237

The heavy easterly gales of last autumn, coinciding with
the October spring tides, must have disturbed the Peachice
iu their burrows ; for the species suddenly became common,
as many as fifty having found their way into the possession
of the Torquay dealers about that time. A few of these
fell to my lot, and enabled me to correct and amplify the
history of the species.

These specimens were very lively, ever bending their
columns, and rapidly changing their forms. While under
examination, they frequently adhered by various points of
the column, and when lying on the side would, gradually
but quickly, bring the hinder extremity round, under the
body, nearly to the front, and then applying it to the bottom
of the vessel, adhere, not by the orifice, but by the swollen
sm-face around it. Constrictions were constantly passing
along, commencing about the middle of the column, and
passing off down'svards, the effect of which was to throw
out the translucent posterior extremity, like a clear dis-
tended bladder, within which the septa could be very
distinctly defined.

One only of the specimens survived, the others I dis-
sected. Tlie former I put into a vase of sea-water with
a bottom of sand. This was at night ; in the morning it
was just beginning to insert the hinder extremity into the
sand, and thence the process of burrowing w'ent on regu-
larly. In two hours it elevated the fore parts, and assumed
a perpendicular position, continuing to descend.* By

* Mr. Holdsworth, who obtained another of the Torquay specimens, has
made an interesting observation on this process. " After it had selected a
suitable place for burrowing, in the darkest part of the vase, the posterior
extremity of the body became tapered to a fine point by a partial expulsion
of the contained water, and at the same time turned downwards and
pressed slightly into the ground ; the fluid contents of the animal were
then forced back until the base was completely distended, and by thi.s
means a shallow depression in the sand produced ; the tail then resumed
its conical shape, was again thrust into the ground, and swelled out ; and
these proceedings were continued until a hole was made sufficiently large
to admit the animal. Its first efibrts in burrowing had but little effect.

238

ILYANTHIDiE.

eleven A.M. only about an inch in length of the fore parts
remained above the level of the sand, when it expanded,
and seemed satisfied. At night, however, it came out of
its burrow, and remained wallowing on the surface ; and
for a week after this it continued to go in and out once or
twice a day, grovelling and stretching awhile, and then
burrowing comfortably almost to the tentacles.

This individual still survives in the same vase, after
six months’ captivity ; it frequently remains for days
completely hidden, sometimes shows only the tips of the
expanded tentacles, and rarely more than the disk, above
the sand. It is perfectly domiciliated.

Another of the individuals referred to gave birth, while
under my observation, to some half-dozen or more embryos,
of oblong or ovate form, which appeared like little Peachias,
but I could not see any trace of disk or tentacles in any.
They were discharged one by one through the gonidial
tube, as the animal lay on its side.

This one was ruptured in two places ; and as it lay in a
small tank, the craspedal mesenteries were protruded, and
spread in large irregular areas on the glass bottom, per-
fectly flat and adherent, the membrane being pellucid and
very delicate, and the craspedum bounding the outline like
a white thread.

The conchula is generally protruded, even wdien tlie
tentacles and disk are wholly retracted. Perhaps it is the
seat of some sensation.

I. Mitchellii.

Ilalcampa. hastata. Ceriantlius.

tripliylla.

uudata.

and it was only after an hour’s labour, when the cavity liad become large
enough to allow the polype to work in an upright position, and with the
assistance of its whole weight, that rapid progress was made.” (Annals
N. H. for Jan. 18.59, p. 78.)

AST ACE A.

ILYANTUlDJi.

THE WAVED MUZZLET.

Peachia undata.

Plate VIII. Fig. 4.

Specific Character. Column cylindrical, short ; conchula cut into five
shallow lobes ; tentacles crossed by dark wavy bands.

Peachia undata. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 3. i. 418.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Fokm.

Column. Cylindrical, rounded below, slightly fluted, about twice as
long as the diameter of the disk ; terminating below in a central perforate
depression, around which the skin is much puckered, and minutely cor-
rugated. Surface wrinkled, both transversely and longitudinally, espe-
cially when contracted. Margin distinctly angular, sometimes forming a
very low parapet.

IRsk. Smooth, flat, or rising with an even and very gentle elevation
from the foot of the tentacles to the edge of the mouth ; marked with
twelve radii forming so many fine lines.

Tentacles. Twelve, in one circle, marginal ; thick and rounded at foot,
tapering regularly to the tip, which is obtusely pointed ; transverse
section sub-ovate, the diameter from side to side exceeding that from back
to front. By irregular contraction, they sometimes become slender and
cylindrical, often with the tip clubbed or knobbed. They are generally
carried widely expanded horizontally, with the tips arching downwards,
like a twelve-rayed star.

Mouth. Descends abruptly from the disk
with a sharp angle, but which can scarcely
be called a lip, as it is not thickened. It
is protrusile at the will of the animal, when
ordinarily it embraces the exserted gonidial
groove, and displays a number of plicae at
its edge.

Conchula. The groove is greatly de-
veloped ; its edges are in contact until
about one-sixth of an inch from the tip,
where they separate, and turn over with a scroll-like expansion, the margin
of which is cut into five shallow teeth, as follows : — one terminal and two

CONCHULA OF P. UNDATA
{magnified).

240

ILYANTHID.E.

lateral, all of which are bluntly triangulai’, or sub-square, two others
still further removed from the terminal one, which are rounded and merge
into the smooth descending edges. The mouth is sometimes widely re-
tracted, and the groove exposed for the gi-eater part of its length ; but
usually the conchula only is protruded from the almost closed mouth.

Colour.

Column. Very pale yellow, marked with irregular longitudinal splashes
and stripef5, of dull red, more or less confluent at the lower extremity.
Margin pellucid, with alternating spots of 02>aque white.

Dish. Creamy white : each radius marked with a minute brown speck
at the foot of each tentacle ; except that radius which is opposite (not
correspondent) to the gonidial groove, in which the speck is wanting.

Tentacles. White, crossed by seven waved bands of deep brown, each
band strong and well defined at its upper edge, but ill defined and fainter
at its lower edge : the fourth band (the central one) is broader and fainter
than the rest. The lowest two bands are rather of a deep bluish-black.
On the tentacle which corresponds to the groove, the lowest two bands
are wanting, as are the lowest three on the tentacle opposite, leaving the
face of this part of the tentacle pure white. The bands in all cases
extend only across the front face and sides, disappearing on the back.

Mouth. Whole interior of throat and stomach, and exterior of the lower
parts of the groove, a rich red bufif or salmon-colour.

Conch ula. Both without and within pure cream white.

Size.

Length about an inch and a quarter ; diameter of disk about seven-
eighths of an inch ; expanded flower an inch and three-quarters ; thickness
of column one inch.

Locality.

The Channel Islands.

The only individual of this species that I have seen was
one which I owed to the kindness of my friend Dr. Hilton,
of Guernsey, who obtained it on the island of Herm, lying-
on the sand at very low water, in April, 1858. When it
arrived, after just thirty-six hours’ confinement, it looked
much exhausted, and lay flaccid, with the mouth very
widely gaping, displaying the thickly folded stomach, of a
salmon-huff’ hue, and the gonidial tube greatly exposed
and protruded. The tentacles were collapsed. When put

THE WAVED MUZZLET.

241

into sea- water, no immediate change appeared, but after an
hour or two the tentacles began slowly to move one by
one backward and forward, and slightly to swell and to
lengthen, while the mouth partly contracted. Next morning
it had quite reeovered health and beauty.

The tentacles were very versatile, constantly changing
their form. The mouth also was perpetually opening or
closing, but slowly.

The animal appears unable to enclose the disk, but the
tentacles contract individually, when touched, or spon-
taneously, shortening to mere warts. I have seen the
animal when several of its tentacles could scarcely be
distinguished from the general level of the disk-edge,
except by the coloured rings.

It would lie rolling about on the sand in a vase, with
constrictions successively passing up its body, and throwing
off clear mucus. When put into a hole in the sand it
would not remain ; being very buoyant, it was soon on the
surface, the hole gradually filling beneath it.

It remained in health for a few days, at which period
the mouth gaped widely, and the lax corrugated stomach
was exposed ; the tentacles contracted to warts, and, the
animal being manifestly feeble and dying, I dissected it.

!Mr. Whitchurch, of Guernsey, reports having found a
Peachia, which he supposes to be this species, on re-
peated occasions; it may, however, have been the following,
lie mentions the interesting fact that the tentacles are
luminous.

The Siphonacttnia (= PeaeJna) Boeclcit has so close a
resemblance to this species, that I am not certain whether
my specific appellation will not have to be merged in that
of the Norwegian zoologists. I rely, however, on the
figure in Faun. Litt. Norv., ii., in which the lobes of the
conchula are distinctly three in number, and arc square in

R

242

TLYANTHID^.

form. The manner in which the mouth is represented as
pm'sed out, and closely investing the gonidial tube, with
the gular furrows looking like rudimentary tentacles, I
have observed both in this and the foregoing species.
P. Boeckii is assigned to a depth of 80 to 200 fathoms in
the fjords of Norway.

The posterior orifice in this genus cannot always be
observed; I have, however, satisfactorily demonstrated it
by dissection in both hastata and undata. When the inte-
gument is cut away from the whole vicinity, it appears as
a circular foramen, about half a line in diameter. It does
not appear to be an anus, but probably admits water for
respiration.

The specific name, undata, indicates the waved pattern
of colouring on the tentacles. The term Muzzlet, which
I have assigned to the genus, alludes to its most prominent
characteristic, — the protrusion of the gonidial tube, like a
proboscis or muzzle.

hastata.

triphylla.

UNDATA.

ASTRJiACEA.

JLYANTHID.K.

THE TREFOIL MUZZLET.

Peachia t7't2)hylla.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate X. Fig. 2.

Specific Character. Column pear-shaped, moderately long; conchula
bearing three ovate or leaf-like lobes ; tentacles marked with arrow-heads,
and based with brown.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Column. Pear-shaped ; lower extremity rounded, with a distinct central
orifice, around which the skin is puckered. Surface covered with fine and
close-set transverse wrinkles, and with minute suckers, which have a
strong adhesive power.

Dish. Flat, but very protrusile ; radii distinct.

Tentacles. Twelve, in one circle, marginal ; thick at foot, and tapering
to a point.

Moxith. About one-fourth of an inch wide at the margin, shelving
downward funnel-like ; lip rugose and erectile.

Conchula. Cut into three ovate, leaf-like lobes.

CONCHULA AND MOUTH OP P. TRIPHYLLA

{magnified).

Colour.

Column. Opaque pale reddish-brown, or bay, with numerous irregular
longitudinal splashes of rich red-brown. No pale lines indicate the septa.

R 2

244

ILYANTHID.E.

DisTc. Reddish buff; each radius marked with a minute brown speck
in its centre : the gonidiat radius, however, and the opposite one, are pure
white, without spots.

Tentacles. Pellucid, each marked with a double row of brown arrow-
heads, exactly as P. hastata, but the foot is crossed by a hand of deep
brown, the discal edge of which is perfectly defined ; the confluence of
these bands forms a broad circle of brown bounding the disk. In the
gonidial tentacle, however, and in the opposite one, the band is wanting,
as well as the lower arrows, the opaque white of the radius running up
the front of each of these tentacles half-way to the tip.

Mouth, Dark brown.

Conchula, Pure opaque white ; the lobes without spot or core.

Size.

Length three inches; greatest diameter one inch and a half. Disk
three-quarters ; tentacles about one inch, j

Locality.

The Channel Islands.

I have had no opportunity of seeing the animal to whieh
the above deseription applies. It "was taken at Guemsey,
in December, 1858, and came into the possession of Dr,
G. C. Wallich, who has kindly drawn out for my use
copious notes, and furnished me with beautiful coloured
drawings. It appears intermediate between hastata and
undata, the species already recognised ; but I cannot'satis-
factorily assign it to either, as it differs from both in the
form and number of the conchular lobes. I have there-
fore given it a name expressive of these peculiarities.

“ The suctorial processes,” remarks Dr. Wallich, “ ap-
pear to consist of simple depressions of the integument,
each of which exhibits an oblong muscular body at its
base, whereby a vacuum may be formed, and adhesion
accordingly secured. On examining these muscular bodies
under a power of 250 diameters, longitudinal as well as
transverse strim are distinguished. Tlie nature of these
.suckers was strikingly manifest on attempting to turn the
animal in the glass, when tliey exhibited the appearance of

THE TREFOIL MUZZLET.

245

a number of pointed papillae, the apices of which clung
forcibly to the glass, whenever a strain was put upon the
creature to disengage it.”

hastata.

TRIPHYLLA.

undata.

Peachia ctlindeica (Reid),

In the Annals of N. H. for January, 1848, Dr. Reid
described and figured, under the name of Actinia cylindrical
an Actinoid, which was washed ashore at St. Andrews.
It must have certainly been a Peachia, and may possibly
have been an immature P. hastata. The points in which
it disagreed with such specimens of the latter as I have
seen were the following: — 1. It was but one and a quarter
inch long. 2. The conchular lobes were twelve, six of
which were very minute ; triangular, orange, with trans-
lucent edges. 3. Twelve bands of faint reddish-brown
radiated across the disk.

246

GENUS III. ElALCAMPA (Gosse).

Actinia (Peach).

Peachia (Gosse).

Column long, slender, c}dindrical, or swollen at
the inferior extremity, which appears to be imper-
forate : no distinct margin. Surface without loop-
holes, but studded with minute suckers.

Dish flat. Radii distinct.

Te?ifacles of one kind, few (less than twenty),
marginal or sub-marginal, cylindrical, obtuse; per-
fectly retractile.

Mouth simple. No obvious gonidial development.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Tentacles 12, banded ; lives in sand chrysanthellum.

Tentacles 16, white ; lives in eroded rocks .... microps.

ASTR^ACEA.

ILYANTIIIDjE.

THE SA^^D PINTLET.

Halcampa chrysanthellum.

Plate VII. Pigs. 9, 10.

Specific Character. Tentacles twelve, in one row, as long as the diameter
of the column, banded.

Actinia chrysanthellum. Peach, in Johnston’s Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2,

i. 220 ; pi. xxxvii. figs. 10 — 15. Cocks,
Rep. Comw. Soc. 1851, 6 ; pi. i. figs. 20, 21.
Peachia (?) chrysanthellum. Gosse, Linn. Trans, xxi. 271 ; Man. Mar.

Zool. L 31.

Halcampa chrysanthellum. Ibid. Annals N. H. Ser. 3. i. 418.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Column. Cylindrical, lengthened, worm-like (extending to ten times its
diameter or more) ; slightly invected ; terminating below in a rounded
extremity, which is generally distended into a bladder-like form and
translucent thinness, and is incapable of being retracted ; merging above
into the tentacles without a parapet. Surface studded with excessively
numerous, minute, sucking warts.

Disk. Plane. Radii twelve, distinct.

halp-disk of u. CHRYSANTiiELi.D.M {magnified).

Tentacles. Twelve, strictly marginal, set in a single row, their feet in
contact. Nearly cylindrical, with rounded extremities, about as long as
the general diameter of the column, usually carried pointing upwards and
outwards, slightly arched ; perfectly retractile by the ordinary process of
inversion.

248

ILYANTHIDiE.

Mouth. A line without distinct lip ; not elevated on a cone. Furrowed
within.

Colour.

Column. Drab or dirty white ; the septa distinct as white longitudinal
lines ; the swollen bladder-like extremity translucent, and almost colorxr-
less, except for the septa.

DisTc. Mai'ked with a pretty star-like pattern, eonsisting of a pale blue
area, inclosed in a pale line, and surrounded by twelve triangular rays of a
dark brown hue; each triangle surmounted by a pale W-hke figure,
which incloses a dark brown area, according to the accompanying pattern.

Tentacles. Pellucid brown, the front crossed by six semi-rings of opaque
white, of which the second, the fourth, and the fifth (counting from the
foot upward) are angular, the second pointing downward, the fourth and
fifth upward. The pellucid interspaces are tinged with brown, deepest
on the first, second, and fourth ; and the first white ring, surrounding the
foot, is sometimes tinged with sulphur-yellow.

Mouth. Y'ello wish-white.

Size.

Specimens reach to an inch and three-quarters in length, and one-eighth
of an inch in average diameter ; the extremity is frequently inflated to
one-fourth.

Localitv.

Coast of Cornwall : buried in sand at low water, and in tide-pools.

This is a very interesting little zoophyte, which was
first made known by Mr. C. W. Peach, who has faithfully
described its person and manners. Its lack of an expanded
base of course removes it from the genus fa/ and
when I formed the genus Peachia, it was under the sup-
position that the present little species was to be therein
included. Subsequent personal acquaintance with it,
however, induced me to constitute a new genus for its
reception, to which I have since added a second species.
The name of this genus, Ilalcampa, formed from aX?, the
sea, and Kafiirr,, a maggot, alludes to the grub-like form of
the animal ; a form which I commemorate also in the
English name, pintUt, from pintle, an iron pin. The

THE SAND riNTLET.

249

specilic appellation must be accepted, I suppose, as ex-
pressing the general resemblance of the painted disk to a
flower.

In May, 1858, by the kind courtesy of J. Scott, Esq. of
Her Majesty’s Customs, I was favoured with two consign-
ments of this pretty little species, ineluding upwards of a
dozen specimens. They were procm-ed at Fowey, in Corn-
wall. AVhen turned out of the package in which they had
travelled, they looked like little earthworms.

Some of them I dropped into holes which I had made
with a stick in damp sand, carefully poming the sea-water
in afterwards. These maintained their place, and soon
protruded and expanded their disks from the surface of the
sand. Others I simply laid on the sand when covered
with water; these presently began to bore -with the in-
ferior extremity, and soon descended as far as the level
of the disks, which then expanded, as if at home.
Several of those specimens I still possess in health, after
about eleven months^ captivity; and I have reason to
think that in the meantime they have produeed living
young.

After they had been domiciled for a time in a wineglass
nearly filled with sand, and coveredjwith a shallow layer
of water, I wished to remove them to a larger vase. On
washing out the sand, I found the animals firmly adhering
to the glass by the lower parts of their bodies. When
removed, they would take instant hold of the smooth glass,
with the suckers on any part of the body, four or five of
these drawing out to a considerable length when force was
applied. On examination of [these suckers, we see that
the skin is covered with very minute and close-set, irre-
gularly shaped, rounded warts, which have a firmly adhering
function. They are best seen on the distended skin of the
hinder extremity, where, under a power of 150 diameters,

250

ILYANTHID^.

they prove to be granular nuclei in the substance of the
skin, dense in the centre, and gradually thinning to an
undefined circumference, elevating the surface with a smooth
rounded outline to a height about equal to their diameter ;
viz. about .002 inch. Many of them certainly have a
shallow pit on the summit, and I am persuaded that their
adhesion is a sucking. In the middle part of the body,
these warts are elongated transversely, and have a ten-
dency to run in close-set annular lines.

I have not been able to satisfy myself of the character
of the inferior extremity. It often appears as if it were
distinctly perforate; but I believe this is an illusion,
produced by the following phenomenon. As the animal
lies on its side, it is continually being constringed, the
constriction gradually moving downward till it passes off
at the extremity. The parts above and below being in-
flated, and being as transparent as glass, one sees, looking
directly at the extremity, the inner edge of the constriction,
through the transparent integument, exactly like a ter-
minal orifice, at the moment before it passes off.

The manners of the species are lively and pleasing: it is
very susceptible of alarm, when it closes and disappears in
its burrow with great quickness ; it is, however, soon full-
blown again. Under irritation, as when fine clay is mixed^
with the water, the tips of the tentacles are jerked from
side to side with a suddenness and force that contrast
with the languor common to the tribe, and which seem to
indicate both a higher nervous sensibility, and also a
greater development of the muscular system.

My experience, as well as that of Mr. Peach, shows that
it is a species well adapted for an aquarium, and that no
special treatment is needful beyond a layer of sand equal
in depth to the length of the cohimn.

Tlie stomach is sometimes protruded, and inflated so as

THE SAND PINTLET.

251

to form an ovate bladder as wide as the diameter of the
column. This occurs as well when comfortably ensconced
and expanding, as when exhausted by lying out of water.

Mr. Peach has favoured me with notes of a singular
example of the reproduction of organs in this species. A
specimen in his possession displayed a transverse cut,
apparently the result of accident, which extending almost
quite across the column just below the disk, caused the fore
part to fall over, hanging only by a fragment of skin.
The tentacles, which now of course drooped from the
bottom of this hanging part, presently disappeared by
absorption, while at the same time from each of the severed
sm-faces a new disk with new tentacles was developed.
Thus tlie old stump became pretty much as before, only
slightly shorter, but the severed piece lost the tentacles at
one end, and acquired new ones at the other.

Halcampa chrysantJiellum has been found as yet only in
Cornwall, but in the following spots : —

Fowey, G. W.P. : Gwyllyn Vase, Pennance, &c., W.P.G.

P. hastata.

CHRYSANTHELLUM.

microps.

Edwardsia.

AiiTR^ACEA.

ILYANTHID^.

THE EOCK PINTLET.

llaJcampa microps,

Plate YII. Fig. 11 : XII. Fig. 6 (magn.).

iipecijic Character. Tentacles sixteen, in two rows, very short, without
markings.

Hulcainpa microps. Gosse, Annals Nat. Hist. Ser. 3. ii. 195.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Fob.m.

Column. Cylindrical; 8-invected, the tegumental insertions of the septa
being the boundaries of the swellings ; hinder extremity inflatable, pro-
trusile, adhesive ; skin minutely granular, enveloped in a thin mucus,
which entangle.s foi-eign mattei's ; ordinarily covered avith minute, close-
set, transverse wrinkles.

Disk. The rounded .anterior extremity of the column, around which
the tentacles are planted in two contiguous circles (though those of each
row are remote inter se). Sometimes this rounded form is not observed,
•and then the disk is flat.

Tentacles. In two rows; the first of eight, about .014 inch long, and
.0045 inchin medium di.ameter ; the second also of eight, marginal, remote,
alternate with the former, pai)illiform, their length not exceeding their
diameter, or .005 inch. When expanded, those of the first row either stand
erect, or arch slightly outward : their movements are rather sudden ; their
form quite cylindrical, with round ends; their walls thick, apparently
imperforate ; a few cnidro scattered in their substance.

Month. Elevated on a small abrupt papilko.

CoLOUlt.

Pellucid yellowish white, positive in the ratio of opacity of the parts
without markings. Ovaries tinged with flesh-colour.

Size.

Column when moderately extended about .025 inch in diameter, to a
point about halfway down its length ; diameter of posterior inflation at the
same time .065 inch. Total length in this condition .3 inch.

Locality.

South Devon ; rocks between tide-marks.

THE ROCK PINTLET.

or:f>

I found this tiny species in much eroded limestone from
a cavern at Oddicombe, Devon, associated with Edwardsia
carnea, in June, 1858. Having chiselled off many frag-
ments of the rock, I put them into glass jars of sea-water ;
and in a day or two found Halcampa microps crawling up
the side of the jar, adhering by its inflated skin. In the
course of a day or two more, another and another appeared,
until five or six had come under my notice, most of them
adhering to the glass. They were active and locomotive,
moving along the surface with ease and comparative
quickness (at least ten times their length in a night),
adhering by any part of the hinder moiety of the column.
Very frequently they threw the anterior portion suddenly
round, like an irritated caterpillar ; and almost continually
constrictions were passing down in succession from head
to tail.

They are very coy and very sensitive, retracting forcibly
and suddenly when alarmed. I attempted to feed them,
but only frightened them.

The specific name is from /x/Acpo?, small, and the
face.

chrysanthellum.

MICROPS.

Edwards- ia.

254

GENUS IV. EDWARDSIA (Quatuefages).

Scola7ith%is (Gosse).

Column long, slender, cylindrical, divided into
three distinct regions, of which the two terminal are
retractile within the central one. Anterior region
forming a short thick pillar {capitulum) of less diameter
than the central, and more delicate. Central region
{scapus) covered by a skin {epidermis) more or less
thick and opaque. Posterior region {physd) thin,
pellucid, inflatable like a bladder; imperforate (?).
Bisk sometimes flat, sometimes conical.

Tentacles of one kind, few (less than thirty), mar-
ginal, arranged in one or two rows ; slender, mode-
rately long, pointed ; perfectly retractile.

Mouth simple. No obvious gonidial development.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Tentacles sixteen, transversely dashed with white ;
capitulum purple brown, with white markings ; lives
in sand callimorpha.

Tentacles twenty-eight, pellucid crimson ; capitulum
pellucid carneous ; lives in eroded rocks .... carnea.

ASTRJEACEA.

ILYANTHIDAi.

THE PAINTED PUFFLET.

Edwardsia calUmorpha.

Plate VII. Fig. 7.

Specific Character. Tentacles sixteen, transversely dashed with white :
capitulum chocolate-brown, painted with white.

Scolanthus callimorphus. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser. 2. xii. 157 ; pi. x.
Edwardsia calUmorpha. Ibid. Linn. Trans, xxi. 271 : Man. Mar. Zool.

i. 31 ; fig. 45 : Ann. N. H. Ser. 3. i. 418.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Column. Nearly cylindrical, slightly enlarging posteriorly, worm-like,
the length in extension being to the diameter as 10 : 1. Capitulum a
short pillar, slightly contracted above and below the middle, and most
expanded at the margin ; marked with eight invections, each of which is
divided towards the summit into two ; the surface smooth and delicate.
Scapus opaque, leathery, rough and minutely corrugated. Physa (not
observed).

Disk. Plane ; radii distinct.

Tentacles. Sixteen, marginal, set apparently in a single row, but yet
slightly alternating, corresponding to the invections and semi-invections ;
long (nearly thrice the diameter of the disk), slender, slightly tapering,
obtusely pointed. They radiate horizontally or diagonally, and are fre-
quently intro- or retro-verted.

Mouth. Set on a prominent cone.

Colour.

Column. Capitulum rich chocolate-brown, irregularly dashed with white
and black, each invection bearing a conspicuous lozenge-shaped spot of
cream-white at its foot, and each semi-invection a triangular spot of white
at the summit. These marks are well defined, and their effect is very
beautiful. Scapus a deep orange-yellow, somewhat tarnished.

Disk. White, marked with a star of pointed arches of deep sienna-
brown, each arch having a radial stria for its centre, and a circle sur-
rounding the mouth for its base. The two gonidial radii dark brown.

256

ILYANTHIDiE.

Tentacles. Transparent and colourless, marked with spots and dashes
of opaque white, ari’auged in in-egular transverse rows and rings, which
increase in number and size until they become confluent towards the tips,
which are thus pure white. The glassy translucency of the tentacles
throws out these opaque markings with beautiful effect, especially as the
foot of each is girded by a broad circle of white.

SiZK.

Column about three-quarters of an inch long when contracted, but
extending to two and a half inches, with a diameter of one-fourth : disk
one-fifth of an inch ; expanse of flower about one inch.

Locality.

The south-western coasts of England ; deep water.

In the summer of 1853 I obtained, from about five
fathoms in Weymouth Bay, a specimen of this species,
which I described and figured in the Annals of Nat. Hist,
under the name of Scolanthus, as I supposed it to be an
unrecognised form. M. de Quatrefages had, liowever, pub-
lished an able and elaborate Memoir* on a form Avhich
he had named Edioardsia, in well-merited honour of the
eminent French zoologist, M. Milne Edwards. On mature
consideration, I was convinced that my Weymouth spe-
cimen ought to be placed in this genus ; for though I had
described a posterior orifice, which is wanting in Edwardsia,
it is probable that I mistook, for such, the depression at
which the phijsa, which I did not see, was retracted. The
animal appears to be quite distinct from all of the three
French species described by ]M. de Quatrefages, and to be
well marked by its beautiful painting, which, resembling
the inlayings of veneer-work, or the fignires of the kalei-
doscope, suggested to me a name derived from /eaXo?, beau-
tiful, and /jLopebr), form. The English term commemorates

* Anualea lies Sci. Nat. 1842, Ser. 2, xviii. 65.

THE PAINTED PUFFLET.

257

the habit of the genus, of puffing out the bladder-like
termination of the column.

The habit of the species, judging from what I have seen
of it in captivity, is to buiTOw in fine gravel or sand at
such a depth as allows it to protrude the coloured capitulum
from the surface. Here it expands its tentacled disk for
passing prey : I fed it with fragments of a shrimp, and
found that it ate with the same avidity, and in exactly
the same manner, as its cousins, the Sea- Anemones ; the
tentacles catching and moving to and fro the morsel, and
disposing its position and direction so as to facilitate the
mouth’s grasping it ; this latter organ expanding its flexible
lips to an apparently indefinite width, and gradually en-
veloping the presented food.

If rudely touched, the disk was suddenly withdrawn ; the
capitulum^ and then the upper two-thirds of the scapus,
disappearing in rapid succession by a process of intro-
version, exactly like that by which the earthworm with-
draws its fore parts, or, to use a homely simile, like the
turaing of a stocking. The extent to which the intro-
version proceeds depends on the degree of annoyance to
which the animal has been subjected, or on its wayward
will. It is capable of crawling along in its subterraneous
abode, while contracted ; pushing aside the gravel with the
front of its body. It proceeded in this way two or three
inches in as many hours, while I was watching it, before it
turned upwards and thrust out its head ; the evolution of
the capitulum not beginning until the surface was reached.

A second specimen of this species was dredged by the
Rev. Charles Kingsley, off Brixham, in January, 1854.
He informed me that the form and colours agreed with my
description, except that the hues of the capitulum were
more brilliant, and tho.se of the disk less so. “ lie broke
off his tail in disgust two days ago, but has now thought

a

258

ILYANTHID^.

better of it, and has begun wisely to grow a new tail,
which is at present transparent, hut with a well-defined
orifice. He lies half-buried in sand, and lias several times
temporarily attached himself by his new tail.”*

Since this page was in type, Dr. Hilton has taken a
specimen at Bordeaux Harbour, Guernsey, which he has
kindly transmitted to me. In its general characters and
markings, it agrees witli the specimen described above ; it
is, however, much larger, being at least five inches long,
and three-eighths in diameter. The scajyus is more spindle-
shaped, and more coarsely invected and corrugated ; the
fihysa I have seen inflated, but slightly. The tentacles
which correspond to the gonidial radii, and the pair at
right angles to these, are much shorter than the rest. The
dark gonidial radii have a flush of rich green.

Many points in the form and anatomy of this genus
indicate, as has been ably shown by Quatrefages, a decided
approach to the Echinodermata, through such forms as
Syrinx and Sipunculus.

Weymouth, P. H. G. : Brixham, C. K. : Guernsey,
T. D. H.

[Beautempsii.]

Echinodeumata. callimorpha.

[Harass!.]

camea.

H. chrysanthellura.

*

Kingsley in litt.

ASTR^ACEA.

ILTANTUIDJi.

thp: crimson pufflet.

Edwardsia carnea.

Plate VII. Figs. 5, 6 : XII. Fig. 3 (magn.).

Specific Character. Tentacles twenty-eight, pellucid crimson ; capitv.hm
pellucid flesh-pink.

Edicardsia camea. GossB, Annals N, H. Ser. 2. xviii. 219 ; pi. ix. figs.
1—4. Ibid. Ser. 3. i. 418.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Column. Generally cylindrical, sub-equal in diameter throughout, worm-
like, length to diameter as 10 : 1. Capitulum cylindrical, or slightly barrel-
shaped, marked with eight invections and eight semi-invections, like the
preceding ; margin tentaculate. Scapus slightly more coriaceous than the
other regions, but clothed with a very rough epidermis, so slightly adherent
that it frequently forms a partially free tube. Physa thin, membranous,
globose, transparent, revealing the septa ; imperforate.

Disk. Plane ; radii distinct.

Tentacles. Twenty-eight, sub-marginal, arranged in three rows, — &, 8,
12 = 28 (perhaps the ultimate number of the third row may be 16);
vertatile in shape, being sometimes very short and fusiform, at others
elongated to thrice the diameter of the disk, tapering and very slender.
They generally radiate diagonally, arching outwards.

Moiith. Set on a low cone; lip furrowed.

Colour.

Column. Capitulum translucent, delicately tinted with pink, each in-
vection bounded by a fine line of opaque white or brilliant pale yellow, and
marked with a longitudinal dash of the same near its foot. The stomach is
plainly visible, as a thick axis of rich scarlet. Scapus and physa of the
same rose-tinged translucency, but the epidermis of the former is of a
brownish-yellow hue.

Dish. A star of cream-white rays on a translucent ground.

Tentacles. Lovely pellucid pink, sometimes with alternate bands of less

s 2

260

ILTANTUID^.

and more positive colour; frequently becoming a pale opaque yellow at
foot, which hue runs up in a point on each aide.

Mouth. Scarlet, leading to a stomach of the same rich hue.

Size.

Column, in extension, reaches to nearly an inch in length, with a general
diameter of one-tenth ; capitulum one-sixth in length, one twenty-fourth in
diameter ; expanse of flower one-fourth.

Locality.

The south-western coasts of England; eroded rocks.

This beautiful and interesting little species was first
made known by myself in the Annals of Nat. Hist, for
September, 1856, from a specimen kindly forwarded to me
by ^Miss Pinchard, who obtained it from the rocky islet
called the Orestone, off Torquay.

In May, 1858, three specimens were forwarded to me by
my friend, Mr. F. H. Dyster, out of some hundred and fifty
that were found by a collector on rocks, between tide-
marks, near Tenby ; and a few weeks after this I was so
fortunate as to discover a populous home of the species, in
the neighbourhood of Torquay.

On the south side of the promontory, called Petit Tor,
on the coast of South Devon, there is a low-roofed cavern,
whose orifice is left bare at the lowest water of spring-tides.
The interior parts of the floor are covered with the common
limestone shingle, and, being more elevated than the mouth,
atford an opportunity of working within, whenever one
can gain admittance. The roof and sides of this cave are
Studded with the pretty little Crimson Pufflet, as well as
with many other Anemones. The tide having receded,
they arc very readily discovered by their crimson columns
projecting an eighth of an inch from the dark floccose rock.
The limestone is much eroded by Saxicavm ; and it is
in the old burrows of these Mollusca that the Edicardsia

THE CRIM80N PUFFLET.

261

dwells, clinging to the sides or bottom of the hole by the
suckers on its skin, the column and disk now protruding,
where formerly the siphons of the Mollusk projected. It
has forcibly reminded me of Ossian’s beautiful image of the
fox looking out of the window in the desolate dwelling of
Moina.

In captivity the animal is able to roam about the glass
by means of its adhesive suckers.

Under high magnification the epidermis is seen to be a
film of condensed mucus, evidently composed of disin-
tegrated cells, in which are entangled a few cnidce, some
threads and many spores of Confervce, and multitudes of
Diatomacece, of many species. I carefully removed piece-
meal the whole epidermis from one, exposing the skin of
the entire scapus, which then was seen to be fleshy, pel-
lucid, pink, and in all respects like that of the terminal
regions, except that it was slightly more dense. In a few
days the scapus was again encased in an epidermic tube,
thin and semi-transparent, but, instead of being yellowish
or brown, it was quite grass-green. This I found to be
owing to the entanglement of conferva-spores in the mucus,
the water having been exposed for some days in a shallow
saucer.

After having been kept some days in stale water, the
animal is found much contracted and retired to the middle
part of the epidermic case. This may be then readily
removed, the adhesion having ceased. The organic con-
nexion between the epidermis and the scapus thus appears
to be less in this species than in others of the genus, and
approximates it to Phellia in the Sagartiadce.

This pretty Pufflet is easily kept in the aquarium, but it
appears to require a considerable volume of water in a state
of purity. It sometimes floats at the surface, extended at
full length. It will feed readily on minute atoms of raw

262

ILYANTHIDiE.

meat, like the common Anemones. All its movements are
rapid, sudden, and spasmodic.

Torquay, P. II. G. : Tenby, F. D. Dyster.

[Harassi.]

Phellia. caknea.

H. chrysanthellum.

? Edwabdsia Beautempsii (Quatref,).

About the same time that Mr. Kingsley dredged E. cal-
limorpha at Brixham, he found at Torquay, washed up
after an easterly gale, an individual of the same genus, but
manifestly distinct in species. While generally agreeing
with E. callimorpha, in size and form, it differed in the
following points : — 1 . The scapus was less opaque, more
smooth and lubricous, and studded with longitudinal rows
of minute warts between the invections. 2. The capituh/m
was clavate, proportionally longer, and of the same colour
as the scapus, a pale pinkish-buff, or light orange. 3. The
tentacles were fourteen in number, slightly uncinate or
incurved, banded with dark buff. 4. The disk was trans-
parent and colourless, with a dark protruded mouth. From
these characters I think it probable that the animal in
question was referrible to the E. Beautempsn of M. do
Quatrefages.

263

GENUS V. ARACHNACTIS (Sars).

Column moderately long, cylindrical, rounded at
the inferior extremity, but not swollen, imperforate.
Surface capable of temporary adhesion, and therefore
probably studded with minute suckers.

Bisk ?

Tentacles of two kinds, the one marginal, very long,
slender ; the other gular, short ; few in each series, not
retractile.

Mouth, a simple slit.

Habit: freely swimming in the sea.

There is but one British species, A. albida.

ASTRuEACEA.

JLYANTUID.E.

THE iSPKAWLET.

Arachnactis alhida.

Specific Character. Marginal tentacles longer than the column, gular
tentacles about one-fourth of the length of the column.

Arachnactis albida. Saks, Fauna Litt. Norveg. i. 28; pi. iv. tig. 1 — 6.

Forbes and Goodsir, Trans. Koy. Soc. Edinb. xk. 310.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Column. Shortly cylindrical [pear-shaped, E. F.j, sub-globular in
contraction, becoming gradually smaller and rounded at . the inferior
extremity, where no orifice has been observed. Surface smooth [but with
the power of adhering, at least by the inferior extremity (E. F.), which
implies the existence of suckers]. Substance softly fleshy.

Disk. [Undescribed.]

Tentacles. Of two kinds. First series marginal, twelve to fourteen in
number, filiform, tapering, very long, slender and pointed : of these
eleven are about equal in length and thickness, while one or two are very

much shorter and smaller, and un-
equal inter sc. Some individuals
show traces of the budding forth
of another tentacle. These smaller
and apparently sprouting tentacles
always occur at that part of the
circle which corresponds to one
angle of the mouth. Second series
springing immediately around the mouth-slit, eight to twelve in number
[sixteen, E. F.], conical, pointed, scarcely one-tenth as long as those of the
first series ; some smaller than the rest, and apparently budding, and these
correspond in position with the budding ones of the first series.

Mouth. A simple slit.

Colour.

Column. Pellucid whitish, displaying the dark brown stomach through
its translucency [dusky white, tinged with tawny, E. F.].

Tentacles. First series whitish with dark brown tips [tawny and white,
E. F.]. Second series dark brown on the front face.

THE SPKAWLET.

265

Size.

Length of column about one-third of an inch [one inch, E.F.] ; diameter
one-eighth ; length of marginal tentacles one and a half inch [three or
four inches, E. F.].

Locality.

The Hebridean and Norwegian Seas.

This very interesting form, the only British example of
a natatory Anemone, has occurred on two occasions. Loth
in the month of August, and both in the Minch, the strait
that divides the Isle of Lewis from Scotland : — first by
Dr. Balfour in 1841, who obtained a number of specimens,
but all in a mutilated condition, and subsequently by
Messrs. E. Forbes andGoodsir in 1850. In the interim, the
Rev. Mr. Sars, of Bergen, had described and figured it in
an elaborate memoir in the “ Fauna Littoralis Norvegioe”
(1846) ; and it is from this that we derive our chief know-
ledge of the species, Forbes’s account being exceedingly
meagre.

It appears in the vicinity of the Isle of I lorde, on the
coast of Norway, in autumn and winter, swimming on the
smooth sea, sometimes in dense shoals, sometimes singly,
borne on the northward current. Comparing the periods
of its occurrence in the Hebridean and Norwegian seas, we
may infer that it comes up from the warmer parts of the
Atlantic ; and it might be hopefully looked for on the
west coasts of Ireland in the earlier summer. As it
swims it carries the marginal tentacles horizontally spread,
when it looks not unlike a long-legged spider : hence
the generic name from apd^vr], a spider, and uktU, a ray,
and hence also the English term I have assigned to it. The
superior or the inferior extremity is indifferently carried
uppermost. It swims by a languid undulation of the long

266

ILYANTHID^.

tentacles ; but it has- a certain power of crawling also ; for
these organs are strongly adhesive throughout, and the
animal, attaching itself by these means to foreign bodies,
slowly draws itself forward.

The gular tentacles are usually projected, and clasped
together, but sometimes they are horizontally spread. In
the latter case, if touched, they are instantly drawn to-
gether, and slightly contracted, but never retracted ; they
have no adhesive power. The appearance and situation of
these organs have suggested to my mind the thought that
possibly they may be the lobes of a conchula, in which case
the animal would be a swimming Peackia: if, however,
tliey are true gular tentacles, then the alliance is obvious
with the 'following genus Cerianthus. May it not possibly
be the immature condition of this latter?*

There are discrepancies in form and colour, and especially
in size, between the specimens seen on om’ own coast, and
those described by Mr. Sars, which make it possible that
these may constitute two species. We trust other speci-
mens may clear up this and other questions of interest.
Forbes found a species of the same genus abundant in the
Grecian Seas, but whether identical with this, we are not
informed.

The internal structure, which, from the transparency of
tlie integuments is clearly seen, presents nothing peculiar.

? Peachia.

Acalepha. albida. Anthea.

? Cerianthus.

* See M. Haime’s observations on the free-swimming young of Cerian-
thus, infra, p. 273.

207

GENUS VI. CERIANTHUS (Della Cuiaje).

Tubularia (Gmelin).
Moschata (Blainville).
Edwardsia (Forbes).

Column lengthened, cylindrical, swollen and bulb-
like at the inferior extremity, which is perforated with
a distinct orifice ; expanding trumpet - like at the
margin, which merges into the tentacles,, without
parapet or fosse. Surface smooth, without loop-holes,
or (apparent) suckers. Usually enveloped in a loose,
non-adherent tube, closed at the lower end, of tough,
membranous texture, and ragged exterior.

Dish wider than column, but not over-arching :
funnel-shaped, with conspicuous radii.

Tentacles of two kinds j the one marginal, the other
gular ; both in perfect circles, those of each equal
inter se, moderately numerous, slender ; absolutely
incapable of retraction.

There is but one British species as yet certainly
assigned to this genus, C. Lloydii.

ASTR^ACEA.

ILYANTHIDJE.

THE VESTLET.

Cerianthus Lloydii.

Plate VI. Fig. 8.

Specific Character. Inferior orifice excentric : septa regularly graduated.

%

Edwardsia vestita. Gosse, Ann. N. H. Ser. 2. xviii. 73.

Cerianthus membranaceue. Ibid. Ibid. Ser. 3. i. 418.

Lloydii. Ibid. Ibid. Ser. 3. iii. 50.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Fok.m.

Column. Greatly lengthened, cylindrical for the most part, but gene-
rally swollen at the inferior end into an elliptical bulb, and gradually
expanding into a trumpet-shaped summit to about twice the median
diameter. No distinct margin, the summit of the column itself dividing
into the tentacles, the ridges of which are apparent for some distance
below the point where they separate. Inferior extremity pierced with a
round orifice, which is placed at one side of the axial line. Mesenteric
prolongations of the visceral septa twenty-four, of which one pair are very
minute, while the opposite pair extend to the immediate vicinity of the
inferior orifice. From the one to the other of these conditions there is a
regular gradation in length, but from the longest to the middle pair the
diminution is slight, while from the middle pair to the shortest it is great
and rapid.

Disk. A deep funnel-shaped cavity, about twice as wide as the column,
entire, circular, not overarching.

Tentacles. Of two kinds. First series strictly marginal, sixty-four, set
in two rows, alternating, but with their bases in mutual contact. They
are equal, slender, conical, sharp-pointed, divided more or less conspicu-
ously into knobs, by some half-dozen constrictions. Their contour is some-
what stiff, and they are generally carried arching upward and outward ;
but some of the inner row are frequently erect, and others inclined to a
point over the disk. Second series remote from the first, crowded, in four
irregular circles, springing immediately around the mouth ; filiform, obtuse,
sub-equal, not half as long or thick as those of the fir.st series.

THE VESTLET.

269

Colour.

Mouth, A transverse slit ; lip minutely furrowed, not projecting.

Investing Tube. Cylindrical, much wider than the animal, which is
loosely invested by it without attachment in any part, papery or felty in
texture, thick and soft,
composed of many layers,
the outer of which pre-
sent ragged foliations.

The tube can easily be
detached, w’hen the ani-
mal immediately begins
to form a new one, by
throwing off the material
from the entire surface
of the column ; this at
first is adhesive, tena-
cious, and very tough,
pellucid, but gradually
becomes milky, and finally
opaque, entangling mud
and sand in its substance.

It is wholly composed of
cnidce, the discharged
ecthorcea of which, in in-
calculable numbers and
of great length, inter-
twine and form a sort of
felt.

Column. Pale buff or
whitish, gradually becom-
ing rich chestnut brown
at the summit.

Disk. Pellucid white.

Tentacles. First series
maronne or chocolate-brown at the foot, above which pellucid whitish, with
chestnut bands. Second series dark maronne.

CERIANTHU8
without its tube.

Size.

Length seven inches, under strong irritation contracting to two; general
diameter of column one-fourth of an inch ; of disk half an inch ; expanse
of flower one inch and a half.

270

ILYANTHID^.

Locality.

The Menai Strait, in North Wales, and the Channel Islands; between
tide-marks.

Varieties.

Specimens differ considerably in the depth and extent of the brown
tints of the upper parts. In some the mai’onne or red-brown hue
extends across the disk; in others it is scarcely discernible on the
tentacles.

The present species has generally been supposed to he
identical with that of the Mediterranean, of which M. Jules
Haime has given an elaborate memoir (Ann. d. Sci. Nat.
Ser. 4, i. 341). But in that species the arrangement of
the mesenteric septa, — which M. Milne Edwards (Hist.
Nat. des Coralliaires, i. 308) gives as generic, differs so
importantly from what obtains in ours, as to demand a
revision of the generic characters. I have therefore con-
stituted it a new species, naming it after Mr. W. Alford
Lloyd, to whose intelligent enterprise the study of Actino-
logy is so greatly indebted, and to whom we owe our
acquaintance with this very animal.

In the summer of 1856, this gentleman first obtained
specimens from the Menai Strait, a fact which I noticed in
the “ Annals N. H.” for July of that year, assigning the
species to the Edwardsia vestita of E. Forbes. Mr. Lloyd
also himself about the same time communicated two notes
on the animal to the Zoologist,” in one of which he stated
that he had then obtained eighteen specimens. Since that
period he has procured many more, but, as I believe, only
from the same locality. Some of these specimens he has
courteously presented to me, and has thus enabled me
to become personally familiar with the habits of the
species.

THE VESTLET.

271

The animal is hardy in the aquarium, bearing even tlie
confinement of travel with more impunity than many
commoner species. It is large and handsome, with a striking
and noble aspect, and as it lives habitually expanded, and
manifests considerable vivacity, it is a very desirable
acquisition. The appearance of its felty tube is, however,
repulsive ; but this I have found by no means essential to
its comfort, and have managed to dispense with it, by the
following device. Having prepared a glass tube of suit-
able size, by cementing it perpendicularly to a stone of
sufficient weight to maintain its stability in an upright
position, I carefully removed the animaFs own case, and
dropped the denuded body into the new lodging. The
Cerianthus, in every instance, became immediately at
home, presently lengthened itself, and expanded at the
margin of its new abode ; and, as if the protection hereby
afforded were sufficient, it threw off a new natural coat,
only to such an extent as did not interfere with the sight
of the body through the glass.

Another advantage is secured by this treatment ; for
whereas naturally the animal burrows in the mud, so that
only the expanded flower is visible, and when put into a
tank sprawls uncouthly along the bottom, the upright
glass tube exposes the entire animal to observation, while
it is protected from injury. I have specimens now which
have been kept for many months in these circumstances,
and are still in the highest condition.

In handling the animal during the process of stripping
off the coat, it contracts by sriong, sudden, and repeated
jerks, at each becoming shorter. In these contractions
the water in the visceral cavity is forcibly ejected from the
terminal pore. This is not placed at the extreme point,
which is marked by a depression, and by the convergence of
lines, but is considerably excentric. I have also seen water

272

ILYANTHID^.

ejected at intervals by the same orifice, when undisturbed,
and that so forcibly as to hurl the floating atoms to the
distance of two inches. I am pretty sure that I have also
seen an inflowing current ; but this is more gradual, and
therefore less conspicuous. The orifice must be considered
as only a provision for respiration, and not as a tennination
to the alimentary canal : the half-digested food is, as usual,
discharged from the mouth.

The Vestlet feeds freely in captivity, greedily accepting
fragments of raw flesh, and also skilfully catering for itself.
One evening I amused myself with observing it capture
its prey. It was one of those mentioned above, set in an
upright test-tube, in an old-established tank, close to the
side. The water contained a large number of minute
Entomostraca, which, when the candle was placed near the
tank, flocked from all parts to the light. I thus was able
to direct the migrant crowd to any point that I pleased ;
and so brought them, when pretty well assembled, to the
quarter which the expanded tentacles of the GeriantTius
occupied. One and another were continually coming into
contact with the tentacles ; and it was highly interesting to
mark the unerring certainty with which each was an-ested
the instant it touched a tentacle. No matter whether the
foot, middle, or tip of the organ were touched, the little
intruder inevitably adhered as if birdlimed, and apparently
without a struggle ; when immediately, with the most
beautiful ease and precision, the fortunate tentacle jerked
inward, — all the rest remaining as they were, — and, deliver-
ing the prey to the grasp of the gular tentacles, in a moment
resumed its expectant position. So numerous was the
giddy throng, that this manoeuvre was every moment in
practice, with some or other of the tentacles ; so that
scores, certainly, of the Water-fleas were captured while
I was observing.

THE VESTLET.

273

Mr. E. Edwards, of Menai Bridge, wlio has politely sent
me a peculiarly fine specimen, has also favoured me with
the following interesting note of tlie haunts and habits
of the species.

“ The only account I can give of the Cerianthus is, that
I have found it in the Menai Straits in two distinct places,
about five miles apart.

“ The ground is a mixtime of stones, gravel, and mud.
The disk (some of a light and some of a dark colour) when
first seen is on a level with tlie surface of the ground, but
on approaching instantly disappears into its sac.

“ The operation of taking it is difficult, as on the least
disturbing of the gTound it slips through the sac and is
lost. The plan I adopt is to surround it with two or three
spades, and each to act at the same moment, so as to
undermine it in an instant, and press the ground, which
causes its escape to be more difficult.”

Mr. Holdsworth informs me that he found a specimen of
this species * at the island of Herm, near Guernsey. “ It
was close to low-water mark, buried among mud and
stones, with a large piece of granite covering it. Not
more than half an inch of the tube was exposed when
the stone was removed ; and I found the rest winding
about the irregularities of the ground in a most tortuous
manner, turning sharp corners in its course downwards.”

M. Ilaime {Op. cit.) furnishes us with some interesting
details of the development of C. memhranaceus, which
doubtless apply equally well to the present species. “ The
young,” he observes, “which I obtained, all died in tlie
course of a few days. I never found any young advanced,
within the parent, as is so common with Actinice ; but the
eggs, which float freely there, had already passed the first

* It ia right, however, to observe that the distinction between this
.species and C. memhranaceus was not then suspected.

T

274

ILYANTHID^.

period, and I had no opportunity of seeing their segmen-
tation. All were strongly ciliated, and therefore were
already larvae. They were oval in form, § millim. in
length. One end becomes concave, the other conical.
In the centre of the former an opening forms, through
Avhich granules escape, and this becomes the mouth ; the
escape of the granules leaving the visceral cavity. Soon
around the mouth four minute tubercles bud, whicli become
tentacles ; then two other tubercles nearer the mouth form
lips ; meanwhile the body becomes smooth, and cylindro-
conical.

“ The young lived in this state ten or twelve days ; and
attained one or one and a half millimetre in length. The
body continued entirely ciliated, and was become very con-
tractile. They swam freely in the manner of a Medusa.
mouth downward, by means of elongations and shortenings
of the trunk, and by openings and closings of the ten-
tacles. Sometimes they would oscillate, or revolve on
themselves.”

Arachnactis.

Lloydii. Cyathopliylliadje.
[membranaceus.]

I^Ckrianthus (?) VERMicuLARis (E. Forbes).

Dr. Johnston, in liis “Brit. Zooph.” Ed. 2, p. 222; pi.
xxxviii. figs. 2 — 5, has described and figured, on the
authority of E. Forbes, under the name of Act. vermicu-
laris, what seems either the young of the preceding-
species, after it has become stationary, or else a near
ally to it. It is described as “ OA long,” and the larger

TUE VESTLET.

275

tentacles but what the integer is to which these

fractions refer we are not informed. There is doubtless
some error, as in the description these organs are called
“ long ; ” and the figures, which are rude enough, are said
to be “of the natural size,” and these represent the animal
as inch in length, with the tentacles, both marginal and
gular, about I of an inch. A slender cylindrical column,
with a trumpet-shaped margin, a funnel-shaped disk, two
kinds of tentacles, and a slit-like mouth, — this animal
possesses in common with the Cerianthus. It is repre-
sented, indeed, as standing erect, with the base attached
in the manner of an Actinia ; but this was probably di'awn
from assumption, and the attachment may have been
similar to that which I have described in other Ilyanthidce,
Professor Forbes says the base was “ not expanded,” which
favours this supposition. No tube or case is alluded to,
but it may be that this is developed only at a later period
of life. The specimens were dredged in fifty fathoms in
the Shetland Seas ; the column was greyish pink ; the disk
and gular tentacles white ; the marginal tentacles fulvous.
It gave out a vivid phosphorescent light when irritated in
the dark.

276

TRIBE IL— CARYOPHYLLIACEA.

•

The large number of tentaeles in the polypes of this
tribe allies them to the Astr^acea, and at the same time
separates them from the Madreporacea and Antipa-
» THACEA. Moreover, while the mode of increase in the
compound species, by gemmation of the sides or base,
removes them from the former, it affiliates them to the
latter tribes. The majority of species deposit a corallum
of lime, the calices of which are many-rayed. In compound
species, the interstices between the corallites are not occupied
by prolongations of the septal plates, but are granulous
or porous, or sometimes faintly channeled. The stony
plates {septa) are nearly or quite entire, rarely denticulate.
Within the corallum the septa are connected laterally only
by very distant dissepiments, if at all, never by series ot
transverse plates. The stars, in a transverse section, are
simple ; the chambers being rarely crossed by dissepi-
ments : the calices are very commonly cylindrical, with
narrow plates, arranged neatly around, and have often
a broad bottom, generally porous and convex (Dana).

The vast majority of Caryophylliacea are coralli-
genous ; but this statement will not apply to those which
belong to the British seas : for of the seventeen species
presently to be described, seven are destitute of a corallum.

So far as I am acquainted with them, the tentacles of
our native species (with the exception of Zoanthus) differ
from those of our Astr.(EACEA, in having the cnidce not
lodged in the substance of the walls, but aggregated into
masses wdiich form warts on the surface. Most of them
have, moreover, these organs terminated with globose
heads, destitute of cnidce, but studded with minute hairs
(^palpocils).

ANALYSIS OF THE BRITISH FAMILIES.

Without a coralluvi.

Simple

Caimeadce.

z/f

Compound

Zoanthidcc.

With a corallum.

Substance of corallum solid.

Interseptal chambers free

Turhinol'iadoc.

30'-!

Interseptal chambers crossed by dissepiments .
Cavity gradually filling up

Oculinadce.

Cavity permanently open

Angiada.

Substance of corallum porous

Eupsammiadcc.

278

FAMILY I.— CAPNEADAE

The members of this Family do not, at any period of
their existence, so far as is known, deposit a corallum, or
any trace of calcareous matter. They are, moreover, per-
manently simple ; for though there is reason to believe that
they increase by budding, the polypes so fonned quickly
sever their connexion with the parent, and become inde-
pendent though associated individuals. Thus they are
essentially Anemones, such as we have already considered ;
yet there is something in their aspect which at once
betokens their affinity with the Corals. In particular, the
tentacles have the singular structure and knobbed form
ab-eady noticed as peculiar to this tribe : and, contrary to
the universal rule in the Astrceacea, they increase in size
outwardly, — the outer row containing the largest.

The body, adherent by a broad base, is fleshy or pulpy,
copiously lubricated with mucus, and sometimes separating
the outer skin into a deciduous epidermis. The surface is
not furnished with suckers, nor pierced with loopholes.
There are no acontia, but the craspeda are numerous and
large, and their contained cnidcB are remarkably developed.

ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA.

Tentacles truncate

Tentacles crowned with bilobed heads
Tentacles crowned with globose heads

Capnea.

A weliania,
Corynactis.

27B

GENUS I. CAPNEA (Forbes).

Base expanded, swollen, adherent.

Column cylindrical, pillar-like ; the margin forming
a thick parapet, with a fosse. Surface smooth, without
loopholes, invested with a woolly epidermis.

Bisk circular, entire.

Tentacles very short, truncate, retractile.

But one species is known, C. sanguinea.

CA R YOPH TLLIA CEA .

CAPNEADjE.

THE CROCK.

Cdpnea sanguinea.

Plate IX. Fig. 13.

Specific Character. Body scarlet ; epidermis brown, 8-lobed.

Kapnea sanguinea. Forbes, Ann. N. H. Ser 1. vii. 82 ; pi. i. fig. 1.

Capnea sanguinea. Johnston, Brit. Zoopb. Ed. 2. i. 203 ; fig. 43. Cocks,
Rep. Cornw. Soc. 1851, 1 ; pi. i. figs. 1, 2.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Greatly expanded, irregularly inflated and lobe-like ; its outline
irregularly undulate ; adherent.

Column, Cylindrical, pillar-like, higher than broad j the margin form-
ing, when fully expanded, a thick and prominent granulate parapet, or
collar, with a deep fosse. Surface smooth, without loopholes, invested on
the lower two-thirds with a woolly epidermis, the upper edge of which is
regularly 8-lobed.

Dish. Circular, entire.

Tentacles. Extremely short, truncate, having the aspect of squared
tubercles ; arranged in three rows of sixteen each, those of the outermost
row the largest. Disk and tentacles perfectly retractile.

Mouth. Round, slightly puckered.

Colour.

Column. Vivid vermilion, or dull brownish scarlet, with darker
longitudinal stripes on the inflated basal portion. Epidermis bi’own.

Disk, Yellowish flesh-colour.

Tentacles. Orange-scarlet, paler than the column.

Size.

Height of column one inch ; diameter of disk one-fourth.

THE CROCK.

281

Locality.

Deep water, ofiF Isle of Man, on nullipore beds ; deep water, four leagues
west of Falmouth, on a valve of Pecten mcucimus.

The late E. Forbes first obtained this interesting form
in August, 1840, and assigned to it its generic and specific
names ; the former from Kdirvrj, a chimney, from its re-
semblance to a chimney-crock, of which suggestion I have
availed myself to make an English appellation. He tells
us little of its history beyond what I have embodied above ;
except that it is an active creature, changing its form often,
but always presenting more or less of a tubular shape ; and
that the upper part of the body can be retracted within the
column as low as the commencement of the epidermis.

Mr. W. P. Cocks has since obtained a second specimen.
This was considerably smaller than Forbes’s, but agreed
with it in essential points. Mr. Cocks has kindly put into
my possession some notes of his specimen, which have
enabled me to add a few details to Forbes’s diagnosis ; and
also a colom’ed drawing made from the living animal,
which I have copied in my Plate IX.

Phellia.

SANGUINEA.

Aureliania.

282

GENUS II. AURELIANIA (Gosse).

(Gen. nov.)

Corynactis (Thompson).

Base expanded, adherent.

Column conico-cylindrical, low, the margin forming
a thick parapet with a fosse. Surface smooth, without
suckers or loopholes : invested with a deciduous epi-
dermis. Substance firm and coriaceous, opaque.

Bisk flat, entire ; radii distinct.

Tentacles in several rows, very short, knobbed ; the
heads more or less bilobate, and differing in form in
the different rows ; perfectly retractile.

Mouth slit-like, furrowed : stomach-wall protrusile.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Base greatly expanded : crimson augusta.

Base not exceeding column : yellow Tieterocera.

I 5 !:f;R YN A- MS V I R I D ' S .

BO rot; t R A F. Qi' . 5
A N T HU Ft ‘ II L ; U ;

I ■ A I DERI

. I- ■ / o A N ' H :i ; , : ■ I ■ H ■ I

I ; AUR t I I A*n A All w: ; A

M . A - HE I F iM): L R A

I" ;AM-U-n

7 .

8 .

C A R YOPH YLLIA CEA .

CAPNEADJE

THE CRIMSON IMPERIAL.

Aureliania augusta.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate IX. Fig. 11.

Specific Character. Column rising from a widely expanded base : crimson.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks ; greatly expanded ; the outline undulate.

Column. A low, thick pillar, springing gradually from the broad base
like the trunk of a tree; the margin forming a thick and prominent
parapet, the inner edge of which is crenate ; and separated from the ten-
tacles by a narrow and shallow fosse. Surface smooth, entirely invested
with a soft, woolly, firm, thin epidermis (which fell off in patches
soon after capture, and was not renewed). Substance firmly fleshy ;
opaque.

Disk. Somewhat elliptical, entire, flat or slightly convex ; radii fine
but distinct.

Tentacles. In four row.s, the outer row containing 42 ; very short,
knobbed ; the knobs agreeing in form with those of the following species.
Disk and tentacles freely and completely retractile.

Mouth. Slit-like, slightly furrowed.

Colour.

Column. Rich crimson, splashed with deeper crimson, and with pale
yellowish. Epidermis dark olive-brown.

Disk. Light crimson.

Tentacles. Rosy white, with opaque white tips.

Mouth. Deep crimson.

Size.

Diameter of base two inches and three-quarters : of disk rather more
than an inch ; height from one to one and three-quarters.

Locality.

North Devon ; low water.

284

CAPNEAD^.

Ill August, 1856, the Rev. J. P. Greenly, being on a
visit to Ilfracombe, found in a crevice of the slaty rock at
Bull Point, at extreme low water, this magnificent species,
which lived in his possession till the following April. To
his courtesy I owe copious descriptions and drawings made
from the animal while in life and health ; by which I am
enabled to draw up the foregoing diagnosis. I forwarded
to him for comparison some drawings which I had by me
of Mr. Thompson’s Corynactis heterocera / and the agree-
ment of the two forms in all essentials, and especially in
the singular shapes of the diverse tentacles, showed that
they were of one and the same genus, which was thus
proved to have characters that called for its separation from
Corynactis. At the period last named my kind corre-
spondent forwarded the specimen to me : but it was already
dead; and while it retained its form and colour, I was
precluded from adding anything to my knowledge from
personal observation.

In captivity the animal was lively and extremely sensi-
tive, retracting its disk with remarkable suddenness and
rapidity on alarm. It early crawled from the piece of slate
on which it was captured, and took up a position on the
side of a finger-glass in which it was kept. The tentacles
were observed to vary the shape of their knobs, within
slight limits : one here and there in the outer row occa-
sionally approaching the hastate form of the next row.

sanguinea.

AUGUSTA.

heterocera.

CA R YOPHYLLIA CEA .

C APNEA DjE.

THE YELLOW IMPERIAL.

Aureliania lieterocera.

Plate IX. Fig. 12.

Specific Character. Base scarcely exceeding column ; yellow.

Corynactis heterocera. W. Thompson (w.), Proc. Zool. Soc. 1853. Go.sse,

Man. Mar. Zool. i. 28. E. P. Wright, Nat.
Hist. Review, April, 1859, p. 122.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks : scarcely exceeding the column in width ;
very slightly undulate.

Column. A stout cylindrical pillar, about as wide as high, but often con-
stricted below the margin, when the lower portion becomes neai’ly hemi-
spherical : margin forming a thick parapet, the inner edge of which is
crenate, and separated from the tentacles by a narrow fosse. Surface smooth,
entirely invested with a thin slimy epidermis, which is easily rubbed off,
and quickly renewed. Substance firm and coriaceous ; perfectly opaque.

Disk. Nearly circular, entire, ample, membranous, flat or slightly
convex : radii fine but distinct.

Tentacles. About 120, set in four rows, of which the outermost con-
tains 32; the others one or two less : they are short, thick, cylindrical,
with knobbed tips, diverse among themselves. The
knobs of the outermost row are little wider than
the stems, they are sub-conical, or kidney-shaped,
seemingly formed of two lobes, with a round
tubercle seated on the inner face just below the
knob. Of the second row the knobs consist of two
swellings divided by a constriction, each swelling
composed of two globose lobes placed side by side,
with a mucro terminating the whole. Of the two
innermost rows the knobs are nearly sessile ; they
are rondo-quadrangular, or shaped somewhat like
a loaf of bread. In the expanded state all these
organs He ne<arly horizontal, pointing outwards, and slightly overlapping
the parapet.

TENTACLES OF A. HETE-
ROCERA.

286

CAPNEAD^.

Mouth. Slit-like, coarsely furrowed. Stomach-wall capable of protru-
sion, so as to conceal the whole disk.

Colour.

Column. A rich apricot-yellow, which here resides in the epidermis, for
when this is rubbed off, the colour is white, but when renewed the colour
returns.

Dish. Pellucid white, with fine opaque white radii.

Tentacles. Pellucid white, faintly tinged with red, and tipped with
opaque white.

Mouth. Lips deep buffi

Size.

Diameter and height of column about an inch ; expanse the same.

Locality.

The south of England and south-west of Ireland : deep water.

This fine species, oulj inferior in beauty to the one just
described, was dredged by Mr. W. Thompson in Wey-
mouth Bay, — eight fathoms, gravel, — in September, 1853.
As I was at Weymouth at the time, he kindly showed it
to me, and I thus had the opportunity of making careful
drawings and notes from the life. We considered it as more
nearly allied to Corynactis than to any other recognised
form ; and, the species augusta being then unknown, I was
induced to suggest the specific name heterocera^ which Mr.
Thompson adopted, from €T€po<;, diverse, and Kepa^, a horn.

In confinement, the species appeared hardy. When
detached it readily adhered again ; soon expanded after
having been provoked to close ; often passing from one
condition to the other many times in quick succession.
It is subject to very little change of shape, in this respect
contrasting with Corynactis, which is most protean. Mr.
Tliompson observed that it opened slowly, exserting the
tentacles of one-fourth of the periphery, while the rest
remained closed. These organs were nearly motionless.

THE, YELLOW IMPERIAL.

287

Wlicu a piece of meat was dropped on the open disk,
it remained awhile apparently unnoticed; at length the
animal slowly bent itself on one side, and the unwelcome
morsel rolled across the tentacles and fell to the bottom.

When Dr. E. P. Wright was on the south-west coast of
Ireland, in July, 1858, he found, at Crookhaven, a small
number of specimens of this species, agreeing with Mr.
Thompson’s description in every particular, except their
smaller size. He kindly sent me three, but they all died
in transitu, from the length of the joiumey. Dr. Wright
says “ it can assume an almost transparent appearance,” —
which was not the case with the Weymouth specimens ;
but which assimilates it to Corynactis. He observed also
that the outer tentacles were reverted, so as actually to
touch the rock, which gave it a strange aspect.

The circles of tentacles resemble a coronet of pearls ;
and searching for a name by which to distinguish the
genus, I was reminded, by this peculiarity, of the diadem
which was the distinctive badge of the Roman Augusti, and
by the splendid colours of the animals, of the no less imperial
gold and purple. I have therefore called it Aureliama,
after him who of the Roman emperors first wore the
diadem and the gold-embroidered purple.* The splendid
appearance of the zoophytes, especially of the preceding
species, must plead my apology for so presumptuous an
appropriation.

Weymouth, IF. T. (w.).- Crookhaven, E. P. W.

augusta.

IIETEROCERA.

Corynactis. .

* “ late primus [scil. Aureliauus], apucl Romauoa, diadeiua capiti
iunexuit, gemmiaque et auratd omni veate, . . . uaua eat." (Aurel.

Viet.)

288

GENUS III. CORYNACTIS (Allman).

Base expanded, adherent.

Column versatile, tall ; the margin forming a
parapet, with no fosse. Surfaee smooth, without
suckers or loopholes ; not invested with any separable
epidermis. Substance fleshy or pulpy, pellucid.

Dish flat, entire, circular.

Tentacles in several rows, all of the same form ;
each consisting of a conical stem and a globular head:
perfectly retractile.

Mouth simple, protrusile ; lip coarsely furrowed :
stomach evertile.

Only one British species exists, C. viridis.

CARYOPHILLIACEA,

CAPNEAJ)^.

THE GLOBEHOEN.

Corynactis vtridis.

Plate IX. Figs. 1—5.

Specific Character. Rarely exceeding half an inch in height ; trans-
parent ; tentacles veiy unequal.

Corynactis vindis. Allmax, Ann. Nat. Hist. Ser. 1, xvii. 417 ; pi. xi.

JOHNSTOX, Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2, i. 205 ; pi. xxxv.
figs. 10, 11. Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Soc. 1851, 3;
pi. i. figs. 3 — 5. M. Edwards, Hist. Corail. i. 258.

Allmanni. Tuompsox, in Johnst. Br. Zooph. Ed. 2, i. 474 ; fig.

85. Cocks, Rep. Cornw. Soc. 1851, 4; pi. i. fig.
6. Gosse, Dev. Coast, 422 ; pi. viii. figs. 8 — 10.
Ibid. Man. Mar. Zool. i. 28 ; fig. 39. E. P. Wright,
Nat. Hist. Rev. vi. 122 ; pi. xiii.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks and shells ; generally broader than column ;
its outline sometimes slightly undulate.

Column. Pillar-like, very variable in height and shape ; the margin
forming a distinct parapet or terrace, crenated within, but not separated
from the tentacles by a fosse. Surface smooth, or slightly furrowed,
lubricous. Substance pulpy, transparent.

Disk. Circular, never waved, often greatly exceeding the column, flat
or slightly concave ; smooth, with the radii marked, but no gonidial
distinction.

Tentacles. Upwards of 100, set in four rows, — 16, 24, 32, 32, = 104 ;
the outer rows largest ; each composed of a more or less pillar-like or
conical stem, and a globular head : in the inner rows, the stem is very
short, and the head nearly sessile. The outer rows usually diverge
upward and outward, projecting over the margin, and not seldom hang
downward.

Mouth. Protrusile at pleasure into a truncate cone or cylinder, sur-

U

290

CAPNEAD^.

rounde;i by a thick lip strongly furrowed, like the mouth of a cowry -shell.
No trace of gonidial tubercles, or grooves.

Colour.

Column. A yellow emerald-green, becoming far richer and moi'e opaque
at the margin.

Disk. Transparent, with the radii bidlliant emei’ald-green.

Tentacles. Stems with dark umber-brown warts on a transparent
colourless ground : heads rich rose-pink.

Mouth. Emerald-green.

Size.

Seldom exceeding half an inch in height, and three-eighths of an inch in
diameter of disk.

Locality.

The south-west coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland : deeji water,
and between tide-marks.

A^arieties.

a. Smaragdina. The condition above detailed, which was the one fii'st
described, and is by far the most abundant. (PI. ix. fig. 5.)

lihodoprasina. Column and disk rosy-lilac ; margin emerald-green ;
tentacles, stem umber, head pearl-white. (Fig. 1.)

y. Tephrina. Column and disk pearl-grey ; margin faint emerald ;
tentacle-stem and head dull wood-brown. (Fig. 3.)

S. Chrijsochlorina. Column pale yellow -green below, blending above into
orange ; margin rich orange ; disk emerald-gi'een ; tentacle-stem maronne
(or white), head pearl-white ; lip scarlet-orange. (Fig. 2.)

€. Prasococcina. Column and disk pellucid pearl -grey, flushed with
scarlet ; margin emerald ; tentacle-stem and head pale scarlet.

Corallina. Column brownish scarlet, margin orange-scarlet; disk
scarlet; tentacle-stem and head pearl-white ; lip scarlet (or white). (Fig. 4.)

7j. Coina. Wholly pure white, translucent ; the margin, lip, and
tentacle-heads opaque.

Thi.s is one of the most exquisitely lovely little gems of
tlie aquarium ; and fortunately it is abundant on our south-
western shores, and very easily preserved in confinement
for an indefinite period. In the Channel Islands ; from
Torquay around the promontory of Cornwall to Ilfracombe

THE GLOBEHOKN.

291

ill the Bristol Channel ; and again on the indented coast of
Cork, it occurs in profusion on the. perpendicular and over-
hanging rocks ; while it has been dredged in deep water
off various points of the same shores, and even in the land-
locked gulfs on the north-east of Ireland. It is almost
invariably found in close-set clusters of a dozen to fifty ;
and though several distinct varieties fre(|uently occur in
the same immediate vicinity, yet the individuals of the
same group are invariably found to agree in their tints.
Hence I incline to believe that these groups are produced
either by the spontaneous fission,* or the gemmation of a
primitive polype. I have seen some which were evidently
connected together by the base, the process of separation
being incomplete.

It is somewhat difficult to detach the animals ; their
bodies are excessively pulpy and tender, and under irrita-
tion they excrete a vast quantity of mucus, so dense as
almost to equal in consistency the substance of their own
bodies, and which might sometimes assume the form of
an epidermis. If carefully detached, however, they will
re-adhere ; and I have known individuals even crawl off
from a fragment of rock to the sides of the tank. In
general, however, they are stationary, and even sluggish ;
allowing their tentacles to be handled without contracting.
They open very freely, and ordinarily remain expanded.

In a well established aquarium, they will live for a long
period ; I have some which have lived in captivity fifteen
months. They seem in other respects tenacious of life;
for I have seen the tentacles and margin of one side appa-
rently healthy and contractile, while the whole opposite side
had become a putrescent mucus, sloughing away.

All the varieties are charming ; perhaps none more .so
than the translucent white one which I have named Coina.

* Several in the possession of Mr. Holdsworth spontaneously divided.

u 2

292

capnead.t:.

The expanded disk, with the opaque white tentacle- heads
scattered over it, looks like what the ladies call “ spotted
mnslin ; ” while, under a lens, the tentacle-stems resemble
lace, or figured blonde.

Around Torquay the species exists in much variety.
On the shadowed sides of the perpendicular wall-like rocks,
near Meadfoot, I have seen, at extreme low water, countless
groups, displaying their lovely little coronets within reach
of my hand, as I was pushed in a small boat through the
narrow passes of the islets. Dr. E. P. Wright finds it in
amazing profusion, “ covering whole rock-pools,” at Crook-
haven. He says that some of these expanded to nearly
an inch in diameter, — dimensions which far exceed those
of such as I have seen. They have been occasionally found
on roots of Laminaria, and Mr. Cocks has taken a number,
half-digested, from the stomach of a Plaice.

They feed readily on minute morsels of raw meat; which,
however, must be laid on the disk with great caution, or
the animal will close. In taking-in the morsel the Cory-
nactis does not protrude the lips to embrace it, nor close
the tentacles over it, like the Actinice, but dilates the
mouth slowly and uniformly, until the lips form a circle of
great width, nearly as wide, indeed, as the disk, within
which the visceral cavity, like a broad saucer, is seen, with
the coiled craspeda lining its sides and bottom. Into this
gaping cavity the morsel is drawn, and then the lips
gi'adually contract and embrace it, finally protruding in a
pouting cone. This is exactly the manner of Caryophyllia
Smithii.

There is much in the appearance of this animal which
agrees with Caryophyllia: the colours and tlieir distribu-
tion, the general translucency of the tissues, the form and
crenation of the mouth, and, in particular, the shape,
arrangement, and minute structure of the tentacles, are

THE GLOBEHOUN

293

SO exactly those of the Coral, that I have often more than
half suspected that the former is the immature condition
of the latter. Both are found in the same localities, in the
same haunts, and often in close proximity, which helps the
conjecture. No trace of calcareous deposit is found in the
tissues of Corynactis when crushed between plates of glass ;
hut the observations of Mrs. Thynne* have shown that
the young of CaryophylUa attain a large size without depo-
siting a corallum. But the results of this lady’s experi-
ments,— so far as they go, — tend to negative the identity
of the two animals; though I must still consider the species
as in near affinity.

Under the microscope the tentacle is seen to consist of
a transparent thick-walled tubular stem, in which longi-
tudinal fibres are conspicuous, and a globose head. The
stem is studded with large oval warts, varying in shape
and size, and without orderly arrangement, but set trans-
versely on the whole, very close together in contraction,
but separated by wide spaces when the tentacle is
elongated. Both the head and the warts are pellucid
in themselves, but are sub-opaque from their contents :
both are thickly covered with palpocils, wdiile the trans-
parent portions of the stem are clothed with cilia.

In conformity with the great predominance of the longi-
tudinal over the annular muscular fibres in the tentacle-
wall, the contraction of these organs is in length rather
than in diameter ; or at least that of the diameter is only
the result of elongation. The globose head seems non-
contractile ; and hence, wffien the stem is much elongated,
we see a spherule at the tip of a narrow foot-stalk, while,
when the form is much contracted, the head remaining
unchanged, we have the “ conmgated cup ” of ^ilr. Peach,
with the sphere seated as it were in it.

* Annals Nat. Hist, for June, 1859.

294

CAPNEAD.E.

The cnidce. in this species attain a higher development
than in any other zoophyte that I am acquainted with, and
hence they afford peculiar facilities for the study of these
interesting organs.

No one familiar with this beautiful little creature can
for a moment doubt that the two supposed species, viridis
and Alhnanni, are in truth but one. The former name
must of course be retained, as having the claim of priority.
It was given by the discoverer. Professor Allman, who
found it, where since it has been so abundantly met with
by Dr. E. P. Wright. The name Corynactis is formed
from KopvvT], a club, and uktU, a ray.

There are several exotic species, whose tentacles are
tipped with globose knobs ; — as Act. gldbidosa (Qnoy et
Gaim.), A. globidifera (Ehrenb.), and A. clavigera (Dana) ;
but I know too little of their structure to pronounce upon
their degree of affinity with the present. The clavigera,
a species of large size from the Pacific Islands, may
perhaps be a link of connexion between Corynactis and
Sagartia.

Guernsey, T. D. H. : Torquay, P. H. G. : Dartmoutli,
E. W. H. II. : Plymouth, G. D.: Fowey, Polruan, Goram
Haven, C. W. P. : Falmouth, W. P. C. : Lundy, C. K. :
Ilfracombe, P. II. G. : Cumbrae, D. R. : Crookhaven, G. J.
Allman : Pantry Bay, Yentry, E. P. W. : Strangford
Lough, W. T.: Belfast Bay, G. G. Ilyndman.

Aureliania.

VIRIDIS. [clavigera.]

Caryophyllia. Sagartia.

295

FAMILY II.— ZOANTHIDM:.

TJie polypes in this family are persistently fixed, and
aggregated : the adherent base extending itself laterally,
and sending up new polypes at intervals, which remain
permanently united to eaeh other, and to the primary
polype. The extension may he in irregular lines, earrying
the polypes in single file; in broad bands, supporting several
abreast ; or in all directions, producing large clustered
masses, incrusting the foreign body to which they happen
to be adherent.

This variation in the manner of base-extension has been
hitherto considered as so important, that genera have been
constituted on this character alone, — Zoantlius, including
those whose base runs in lines ; PahjtJwa, such as form
carpet- like surfaces. But evidence will presently be
adduced to show that these variations may occur in the
same species. Again, the genera Mammilifera and Corti-
cifera, of Lesueur, have been formed for clustered species ;
the former being fleshy, with a raucous sm’face, not en-
veloped in sand ; the latter “ inclosed in cellules of sand,
agglutinated ; the cellules themselves agglutinated for their
whole length, and forming a corticiferous expansion.” It
appears, however, from Lesueur’s own description, that
what he considered “ cellules,” inhabited by the animals,
was simply the integument of each polype, in which sand
was imbedded. The presence or absence of sand, however,
can in no wise be allowed to constitute a generic distinc-
tion. I cannot, therefore, recognise in the family more
than the single genus, Zoanthus.

296

GENUS L ZOANTHUS (Cuvier).

Actinia (Ellis).

Zoantha )

Zoanthus \

Mammilifera > (Lesueur).

Corticijera )

Sidisia (J. E. Gray).

Base permanently attached ; spreading over rocks,
stones, or shells, in either a linear or incrusting
manner.

Coluimi pillar-like, higher than wide; margin cut
into strongly marked teeth, which are united by a
thin membrane. Surface smooth, excreting a mucus,
in which occasionally grains of sand become imbedded,
constituting an adventitious epidermis.

Bisk slightly concave ; radii inconspicuous.

Tentacles conical, pointed, similar in structure to
those of AsTRiEACEA : wholly retractile.

Mouth more or less protrusile, simple.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Invested with sand ; extension various Couchii.

Without sand —

Polypes cylindrical, olive ; several abreast sulcaiut.

Polypes obconic, pellucid white j in single file A Iden.

CA E YOPE YLLIA CEA .

ANTUID^.

THE SANDY CREEPLET.

Zoanthus Gouchii.

Plate IX. Flr/s. 9, 10 ; X. Fig. 5.

Specific Character. Basal band extending variously ; polypes invested
with a sandy coating ; tentacles in two rows.

Zoanthus Couchii. Johnston, Brit. Zooph. Ed. 2, i. 202 ; pi. xxxv. fig. 9.

Couch, Corn. Faun. iii. 73 ; pi. xv. fig. 3. Holds-
WORTH, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858 ; pi. x. figs. 3 — 7.
Dgsidea (fi) papillosa. Johnston, Brit. Sponges, 190, fig. 18; pi. xvi.

figs. 6, 7.

Sidisia Barleei. J. E. Gray, Ann. N. H. Ser. 3, ii. 489 ; Proc. Zool.

Soc. 1858 ; pi. x. fig. 8.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Basal hand. Narrow, irregularly creeping, soft, elastic, fleshy to the
feel, very sensitive ; invested with sand, like the column.

Column. Cylindrical, rising to about three or four times its diameter ;
smooth, transparent. Margin cut into twelve or fourteen (generally the
latter number) large fleshy triangular teeth, which are connected by a thin
web of transparent membrane, the inner layer of which is composed of
transverse fibres, the outer is gianular and cutaneous. In a state of semi-
contraction, these teeth form strongly-marked converging ridges on the
flat summit of the column.

Investment. Fine sand, evidently not a secretion, but extraneous, imbedded
in the epidermis, — the fragments (in Torquay specimens) being of different
colours, some being of white limestone, others of red sandstone. When
the column is much distended, the grains of sand become considerably
separated, and we can distinctly see through the transparent and smooth
integuments into the visceral cavity. Thus the sand forms manifestly
only a single layer. Only very minute grains are used, and there is very
little diSerence in their size.

Dish. Generally flat or slightly concave, but protrusile in a conical
form. Radii apparently distinct, but only because the upper edges of the
septa appear through the perfectly transparent disk.

298

ZOANTHIDJi:.

Tentacles. Twenty-eight (twenty-four in less mature specimens), arranged
in two rows, fourteen in each : those of the inner row correspond to the
marginal teeth, those of the outer are intermediate. They are sub-equal,
taper, bluntly pointed, and, when extended, about equal in length to the
diameter of the column, hollow, not warted, with thick walls, which, in
contraction, fall into transvei’se or annular corrugations. They are pro-
truded in a brush, but, when fully expanded, spread out horizontally.

Mouth. Lip sharp, much crenated, protruded after feeding.

Colour.

Investment of root-hand and column. Pale brown, the hue of the sand.

Column. Beneath the investment, transparent and colourless.

Disk. Pellucid reddish-grey, dusted with excessively minute white
specks.

Tentacles. Ti’anslucent, nearly colourless ; but each has a small mass of
opaque white pigment on the internal surface, just at the tip : the aggre-
gation of white points has a pretty effect.

Mouth. Lip opaque white.

Size.

Xone that I have seen alive exceeded one-eighth of an inch in diameter,
and about thrice that height in extension. In contraction the button is
usually about a line in height, ilr. Holdsworth has obtained specimens
much larger than these.

Locality.

The extreme northern and southern points of the British Islands, North-
umberland, and various other points of our coast ; deep water ; on stones
and shells, and free on the sea-bottom.

VARIETIE.S.

a- Linearis. The condition above described, in which the root-band
creeps in a narrow i-ibbon over stones and shells. Cornwall and Devon.
(Plate X. fig. 5.)

jS. Diffusus. The root-band spread over the surface of a shell as a
continuous carpet, whence the polypes spring, irregularly crowded together.
Northumberland. (Plate ix. fig. 10.)

y. Liber. Unattached. The root-band forming a free cylinder, exactly
resembling the column of the polype, and of the .same diameter. The
polypes in this case branch irregularly from the cylinder, and terminate
both its extremities. Shetland. (.Plate ix. fig. 9.)

Tf wc selected a single specimen of each of these vaviclics,

THE SANDY CREEPLET.

299

and compared them, without any other information, nothing
would he more manifest than that we must assign them not
only to distinct species, hut even to distinet genera. IMr.
Alder has favoured me with many specimens, obtained hy
^Ir. Barlee, at Shetland, some of which, each consisting of
several full-grown polypes, are perfectly independent and
compact, showing not the slightest trace of adhesion to any
foreign body, nor of any part that can he distinguished as
a root-hand. Thus, in the specimen figured in Plate ix.
fig. 9, three polypes diverge from a common centre ; others
are similarly formed, sometimes with a triangular dilatation
of the point of divergence, which thus becomes flat, hut
still with both surfaces eq^ually entire. 1 have not seen
more than three polypes on any free specimen.

But among these, we see specimens at first sight hardly
distinguishable from them, except hy a sliglit globosity at
the point of divergence : when we turn these over, we dis-
cover that the globosity has been moulded on a minute
shell, evidently that of a Natica. Then others occur, in
which the shell, almost always a Natica, is larger, and
there is a distinet basal carpet uniformly spread over it,
of the sand-covered flesh, from which spring four or more
polypes : these are manifestly identical with the free ones.
But on larger shells the colony of polypes is made up of
more individuals ; in one specimen before me, in which the
shell is about the size of Natica Alderi, there are nineteen
polypes. In every case the basal carpet has spread in
uniform thickness over the entire shell, following the form
aecurately, and extending to the edge of the outer lip, and
clothing the rotundity of the inner lip as far as the eye can
follow it. Strange to say, in every example, the shell itselt
has wholly disappeared, and all that is left is the exact
model of it in the sand-clothed membrane, or basal carpet,
of the polype.

300

ZOANTHID^.

In this condition, the zoophyte was mistaken by Dr. G.
Johnston for a Sponge, and he has accordingly figured and
described it in his “ British Sponges,” under the name of
Dysidea papillosa. I do not see in what single particular such
specimens differ from the genus Palythoa of Lamouroux,
as this is characterized by M. Milne Edwards : — Poly-
piero'ides cylindriques, naissant sur une expansion hasilmre
memhraniforme, lihres lateralement, ov. soudes entre eux, et
formant des masses encroutantes / ” * and thus we find the
same species in some cireumstances a Zoanthus, in others a
Palythoa. Nay, more, as if to increase the confusion. Dr.
J. E. Gray has actually made a new genus for the inter-
mediate free condition, which he calls “ Sid{sia.”\

The only way in which I can account for the free condi-
tion is by supposing that the germ was, in those cases,
deposited on a fragment of shell or stone so minute as to
be completely overspread and enveloped by the increasing
base.j The unvarying disappearance of the shell in the
diffuse variety is more remarkable, and seems to imply a
corrosive or absorbent power in the base.

That the Shetland and Northumberland specimens are
identical with ours in Torbay seems pretty certain ; for Mr.
Alder, who has had opportunities of seeing both in the
living state (some from the north having been sent him alive
by Mr. Barlee, and some from the south by myself), can see
no specific diversity between them. But that they are the
same speeies as the Zoanthus Conchii of the Cornish coast,
1 assume rather than prove. It is unlikely that there should

* Hist, dea CoralHaires, i. 301. f Annals Nat. Hist. Dec. 1858.

J Mr. Alder remarks on these varying conditions as follows : — “I have
come to the conclusion that when the zoophyte has free space on a stone
it runs over it as Zoanthus ; but when the base is confined to a shell, it
spreads into an uniform crust, as Palythoa. The loose branched speci-
mens, I conclude, having affixed themselves to some minute object not
affording a proper base of attachment, take a tubular form until they
tei'minate in polypes.” — ( In litt.)

THE SANDY CREEPLET.

301

be two species of the same uncommon genus, having so
many points in common, found in so close proximity as the
Devon and Cornwall coasts, and yet there are glaring dis-
crepancies between Mr. R. Q. Couch’s published descrip-
tions and the characters of our animal. He describes the
surface as “ glandular,” the form as frequently “ contracted
to an hour-glass shape,” and as being very versatile ; the
habit as sluggish, and slow to change ; the tentacles as
“ darker at the extremities than at the base ; ” not one of
which particulars do our specimens contirm.

My first personal acquaintance with the species I owed
to Mr. Holdsworth, who dredged several colonies in twelve
fathoms, ofi" the Ore Stone, near Torquay, in October, 1858,
where fiu’ther researches show it to be quite common. They
were of the variety linearis, affixed to fragments of slate
and old valves of Cardium rusticum, twenty or thirty
polypes on each, nmning in sinuous bands from half a line
to three lines apart in the series. The colonies meandered
over both surfaces of the fragments.

One of these colonies my friend kindly gave to me, and
it has lived now ten montlis with me. The polypes are
by no means sluggish, but are continually opening and
closing with considerable vivacity. When eompletely con-
traeted, each polype is a cylindrical button, with the summit
round and depressed in the centre. As expansion proceeds,
the centre evolves, and the summit becomes nearly flat,
with the twelve or fourteen strongly marked marginal
ridges radiating from the central orifice. The central aper-
ture enlarges, and the white tips of the tentacles are seen
protruding, and presently the tentaeles themselves, blunt
and pellueid white, which soon arch outwardly.

They feed readily on raw flesh or earthworms, but will
take only very minute fragments. These, however light
their contact, cause the tentacles to retract ; but if the

302'

ZOANTIIID.E.

morsel be laid gently on the truncate summit of the closed
column, the converging teeth appearing, it will remain there
until the animal seizes it. The tentacles are protruded one
by one so cautiously that the meat is not disturbed, and
soon we discern that it is environed by a wall of tentacles,
and that the mouth is gaping widely to embrace it.

After feeding, or when food which has been resting on
the disk is suddenly taken away, the whole disk is protruded
as a cone, on the summit of which the open throat forms a
Avide valley, coarsely furroAved.

The creeping-band is very sensitive ; when touched with
a needle-point, all the polypes suddenly contract, yet not
quite simultaneously, but in the order of succession cor-
responding to their proximity to the point of attack.

Mr. IIoldsAYorth tells me that “ the polypes liA’^e A'ery
Avell Avhen detached from their support.”

The generic name is formed from an animal, and
av6o<;, a floAver; the English term is meant to express its
peculiar habit.

Shetland, G. Barlee : Northumberland, J. A. : Guernsey,
J. A. : Torquay, TT. H. II.: CornAA^all (throughout),
7?. Q. C. : Strangford Lough, TJ~. T.

ASTRiEACEA.

ZOANTHUS.

Caryophylliacea.

CA n YOPII YLLFA CEA .

ZOAYTHIDJE

THE FURROWED CREEPLET.

ZoantJius sulcatus.

(Sp. iiov.)

Plate IX. Fly. 7.

Specific Character. Upper half of column free from sand, and indented
with longitudinal furrows,

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Bas il band. Broad, with an irregularly sinuous outline, and offshoots,
often bearing three polypes abreast ; loosely invested with coarse sand.

Column. Generally cylindrical, but versatile, sometimes hour-glass
shaped, springing out of a membranous epidermis, which tightly invests
it, and holds a few grains of very fine sand imbedded in it. When ex-
tended, the column rises free and smooth out of this, which then reaches
to about one-third of the height. Surface marked with twenty-two (in
immature specimens twenty) longitudinal sulci, most conspicuous towards
the summit : in the button state this is rounded, with a central depression,
where the sulci meet. Each alternate intersulcus forms a marginal tooth.

Bisl:. Saucer-shaped ; radii not conspicuous.

Tentacles. Equal in number with the intersulci, with which they cor-
I’espond, in two rows, the inner row to the marginal teeth, the outer inter-
mediate. Sub-equal, conical, pointed, usually radiating horizontally.

Mouth. Not raised on a cone.

Colour.

Column. Dull uniform olive : each intersulcus having a blackish spot
near its summit ; and each tooth is silvery white.

Dish. Yellow-olive ; but invariably more or less studded with very
minute grains of white sand, which seem fixed, and look like silver fdings.
Aggregations of these grains specially occur at the bases of the secondary
tentacles, omitting the primary ones.

Tentacles. Perfectly colourless and transparent, with spherical granules
of yellow-brown pigment, set like pavement on the interior surface of the
wall, generally in contact, yet here and there leaving large spaces alto-
gether unoccupied. The colour of the column and disk is evidently
formed by similar granules, but in uninterrupted contact.

304

ZOANTHIDiE.

Size,

Column about one-eighth of an inch high, and one-twelfth wide.

Locality.

Torbay ; on rock, between tide-marks.

This very distinct and interesting little Zoanthus
occurred in a large colony at Broadsands, near Brixham,
in March, 1859. They were spread on a rock of soft
red sandstone, and so numerously, that, in the fragment
wliich came into my possession, I counted sixty polypes
in a space of one-and-a-half inch square. At first
their character was much disguised by the crowded sand-
tubes of a very minute Terehella, out of the tangled masses
of which the Zoantlii were peeping. When these were
cleared away by the careful application of a needle-point
and a hair-pencil, the basal expansion was apparent, an
irregular broad band, with several polypes abreast, as
described above. The texture of the band appears less
compact than in the preceding species, with wliich I com-
pared it, having a more cellular appearance ; the grains of
sand too are coarser.

The species is hardy, my specimens being healthy at
the present time, after three months’ captivity. They are
evidently diurnal in their habits and predilections, gene-
rally expanding under the stimulus of sunlight, but always
closing at night. When the polype is irritated it shrinks
nearly to the epidermis, and from the whole summit throws
off a mucus, which presently becomes membranous, and
seems identical with the epidermis.

Couchii.

[Solanderi.]

SULCATUS.

Phellia.

YOPHYLLIACEA.

ZOANTHID.E.

THE MTHNKLED CREEPLET.

Zoanthus Alderi.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate IX. Fig. 8.

Specific Character. Polypes free from sand ; set in single file, obconic,
transversely wrinkled.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Basal band. Narrow, smooth, irregularly branching, free from sand.

Column. Inversely conical, the summit being two or more times as
broad as the base ; summit (in the button state) swelling, flat, depressed
in the centre, with many (about twenty ?) radiating stinee, indicating the
marginal teeth. Surface smooth, without any investment of sand, but
marked throughout with close-set transverse or annular wrinkles.

Disk and Tentacles. Unknown.

COLOCR.

Basal hand and column. Opaque milk-white.

Size.

Height of column about two lines ; gi’eatest diameter about half a line.

Locality.

Noi-thumberland: on a stone, at extreme low- water.

The slight acquaintance that I possess witli this species
I owe to !Mr. Joshua Alder, who has sent me a drawing
and description of a specimen found by him at Cullercoats,

X

306

ZOANTHII)^.

at a very low spring-tide, in the summer of 1857. My friend
favours me with the following note of the capture: — “It was
soft and fleshy, without trace of corallum ; the individuals
connected by a creeping fibre running over the under sur-
face of the stone. I chipped a piece of it off, which fell
face-downwards, and I fancy got injured in consequence ;
as it never showed any signs of life after I put it into my
bottle. I kept it two or three days in expectation that it
might recover, but, as it began to decay, I secured the
remainder by putting it into spirit.”

There were about a dozen polypes in the colony, all of
the same size, which seems to be good evidence that they
had attained adult dimensions.

Couchii.

Alderi.

?

Sarcodictyon.

307

FAMILY III.— TURBINOLIAD^.

In tliis, and all the families which have now to come
under consideration, the tissues secrete calcareous matter,
which unites into a solid internal skeleton of stone, known
as the CORALLUM. The stony substance is chiefly deposited
— 1. in the integuments of the base and column, forming
the WALL {mums) ; 2. in the septa, forming a series of
perpendicular plates (lamellce), which radiate iinvard from
the wall ; and, in some cases, another circle, or circles, of
similar plates, PALULES {pali), which do not 'reach the
wall ; and 3. (as I believe) in the ovarian mesenteries, form-
ing a series of plates, generally twisted, in the bottom of
the cavity, called the columella. The hollow centre,
formed by the upper edges of the plates, is called the
CALICE {calyx). Sometimes the exterior of the wall is
furnished with longitudinal RIBS (costce), which correspond
to the plates.

The plates are arranged in cycles : those of the Jirst
cycle project furthest inwards ; those of the second bisect
the interspaces ; those of the third bisect the interspaces
thus formed, and so on. The whole of the plates developed
in one primary interspace constitutes a system.

In the TuRBiNOLiAD.a2 the corallum is solid (not porous),
simple, with the lamellar interspaces reaching to the
bottom of the cavity, and perfectly free. The plates are
highly developed, simple, and generally have a granular
surface. The ribs are well-marked.

X 2

308

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH GENERA.

AYith 'palules : adherent.

Palules in a single circle : coUimella of many slender

twisted plates Caryophyllia.

Palules in several circles : columella broad and irre-
gular in form Paracyatlius.

Without palules : free.

Columella a single plate Splienotrochus.

Columella absent Ulocyatlius.

'•iPHEI lA K. V TtKA
/■ -iiA ‘Rlj-H I A

^ A >r,-.

309

GENUS 1. CARYOFilYLLIA (Lamarck).

Cyuth 'uui (Eiikknb.).

Corallim simple, generally obconic, often with an
expanded base, permanently adherent ; outline ovate
or circular.

Columella composed of several thin, narrow, twisted,
vertical plates.

Palules broad, entire, in a single circle.

Plates straight, broad, projecting, and forming six
systems.

Pibs straight, developed only towards the summit,
granulated.

The animal (for so 'we may conventionally term the
soft tissues, though it is to be remembered that the
corallum is an essential part of the living body) is, so
far as we know it, translucent, the column very exten-
sile, the disk protrusile, the tentacles set in several
rows, diminishing in size from the outer row inward,
each consisting of a stem with a globular head.

I know but one British species, C. Smithii.

CA R YO pn YLL TA CEA .

TURBINOLIA DjE.

THE HEVONSIIIEE CUP-COEAL.

Caryopliyllia Svuthu.

Plate X. Figs. 12, 13.*

Specific Character. Plates in five cycles ; base broad; outline generally
ovate ; height not exceeding the long diameter.

Caryophijllia Smithii.

cyaih us.
sessilis.

? TurhinoUa borealis.
Cyathina Smithii.

Stokes, Zool. Journ. iii. 481; pi. xiii. figs. 1—6.
Buckland, Bridgew. Tr. ii. 90; pi. liv. figs. 9 —
11. Johnston, Br. Zooph. Ed. 2, 198 ; pi. xxxv.
figs. 4 — 8. Couch, Corn. Fauna, iii. 72; pi. xii.
fig. 3. Gosse, Dev. Coast, 108 ; pi. v. figs. 1 — 5.
M. Edwards, Hist. Corail. ii. 14.

Fleming, Brit. Anim. 508.

Bellamy, So. Devon, 267 ; pi. xviii.

Fleming, Brit. Anim. 509.

Dana, Zooph. 371. M. Edwards and Haime, Ann.
Sci. Nat. Ser. 3, ix. 288. Gosse, Man. Mar. Zool.
i. 33 ; fig. 50.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

CORALLUM.

CARYOPIIYLLIA SMITHII
{slightly 7nagnified).
Section of corallum.

Coralhm. Simple, constricted in various
degrees ; the base generally wider than
the summit, and the central region being
often less than half the diameter of the
latter. Outline sometimes circular, but
genei’ally more or less elliptical. Height
in general less than the long diameter.

Ribs. Well-marked on the upper half,
less distinct on the lower, studded with
fine granules.

Plates. Forming five cycles, and six
systems, but the plates of the fifth cycle

* Marked in the Plate “ Cyathina Smithii.”

1

THE DEYONSIIIRE CUP-CORAL.

311

are wanting in some of the systems. They are broad, granular on
both surfaces, with the upper edge very salient and rounded in outline.
Those of the thii-d and fourth cycles subequal between themselves, and
much smaller than the first and second, which also are mutually subequal.

Columella. From twelve to twenty thin plates much twisted, with
sinuous edges ; the summits much lower than the palules.

Palules. Well-developed, more flexuous than the septa, of which they
correspond to the third cycle.

Colour. In general pure white, but in some specimens tinged with
a lovely permanent rose-tint.

ANIMAL.

Form.

Column. Cylindrical, very extensile, smooth, membranous, invected
towards the summit, each invection becoming a tentacle, without any
distinct margin.

Disk. Flat, but readily assuming a conical form. No trace of gonidial
radii, tubercles, or groove.

Tentacles. About fifty in number, arranged in three subequal rows :
stem conical, membranous, translucent, studded with transverse oblong
warts ; head globose, opaque, covered with palpocils. (Plate xii. fig. 4.)

Mouth. A lengthened ellipse or a slit. Lip coarsely furrowed, like the
lips of a cowry-shell. Stomach flat when empty, as in Anemones.

All the tissues can be enormously distended with water.

Colour.

Column. A very faint bay or fawn colour, with longitudin.al lines of
chestnut.

Disk. Transparent white, with a broad Vandyked circle of rich
chestnut surrounding the mouth.

Tentacles. Stem-wall colourless, with the warts deep chestnut ; head
opaque, pearl-white, sometimes slightly tinged with rose.

Mouth. Pure white.

Size.

Corallum. Fine specimens attain a diameter of three-fourths of an inch,
and a height nearly as great.

Animal. Tire column when distended frequently stands an inch above
the corallum, and exceeds it in breadth by a sixth of an incli on every
side; the tentacles augment the height still further by nearly half an inch.

Locality.

On various parts of our coast in deep water, attached to stones and
shells : Devon and Cornwall, on rocks between tide-marks.

312

TUliBlNOLIAD^.

Varieties.

a. Castanea. As above described.

/3. Esmeralda. The chestnut here replaced by vivid green in like
intensity, except the border of the mouth, which is pale red.

7. Clara. Translucent white.

On the perpendicular surfaces of clitfs with a northern
aspect, in narrow wall-sided fissures, and on the under
sides of fallen fragments of rock forming natural arches,
and in dark overhung tide-pools, I have found this beau-
tiful Coral in abundance on the coast of both Nortli and
(South Devon. It is only at the great recesses of the
equinoctial spring-tides that it is exposed, though in per-
manent pools of ample dimensions it occasionally occurs at
the half- tide level. For the most part gregarious in habit,
it occurs more in colonies than singly, and twenty, thirty,
and even more, are occasionally taken by the collectors
from a single pool.

It is deservedly a favourite with aquarians ; for if
removed from the rock with care by a proper use of the
chisel, scarcely any species is more hardy, more beautiful,
or more changeable in its aspects. I have been informed of
a specimen which had been jweserved two and a half years,
and was then in health. It is free in expanding in
captivity ; perhaps its most common condition being that
in which the mouth is somewhat open, and the tentacle-
heads just peeping from beneath the half-closed margin of
the column ; but occasionally, and especially at night, the
animal expands to the full, and rears its lovely form far
above the level of its stony walls. This condition may,
however, at any time be induced by a proffer of food ; an
atom of raw flesh cautiously laid on the half-exposed disk
is a temptation too great to be resisted. The protrusile
lip slowly but evenly expands to embrace the food, and
then closes over it, meeting in a puckered knot in the

THE DEVUNSIIIEE CUE-COKAL.

313

centre. The unyielding stony margin of the machal
cavity preventing the morsel from being drawn down, as it
would be in an Actinia, the whole disk projects perpen-
dicularly, like a thick pillar, from amidst the tentacles,
displaying the dark mass through the pellucid walls.

Now presently a great change takes place : the whole
of the soft tissues become distended with water, and take
on an exquisite translucency and delicacy ; the column
swells out to twice the width of the corallum, the tentacles
are like transparent bladders full of water, each crowned
by its little white globule, and the whole appearance is
most beautiful. I have seen under these circumstances
the animal extended to more than an inch and a half above
the level of the plates. The lip often projects like a thin
oval wall, or like the brickwork surrounding a well ;
marked with thick perpendicular ridges of opaque white,
distinctly defined, separated by interspaces of equal width.
This is well expressed in the figures (o and 6) given by
Johnston, after Alder, which are very accurate : figs. 7 and
8 of the same plate, like too many of the zoophytic deli-
neations of Forbes, I can only call caricatures.

I have elsewlrere * given many details of the structure
and economy of this Coral, to which I can here only refer
the reader. Among them will be found some curious
examples of reproductive power; one, in the formation of
a new disk, mouth, and tentacles, at the lower end of the
corallum, which had been broken from its base ; and
another, of the replacement of a large number of the
sejyta, which had been broken away.

Of the generation and development of the species I can
say nothing from personal observation ; the smallest I have
seen having been about one-sixth of an inch in diameter,
with a well-formed corallum of half a line in height.

* Devonshire Coast, pp. 108 — 127.

314

TURBINOLIAD^.

]\Ir. E. Q. Couch, however, says, “ In the youngest state
the animal is naked, and measures about the fifteenth of an
inch in diameter, and about the thirty-second of an inch in
height. In the earliest state in which I liave seen tlie
calcareous polypidom there were four small rays, whicii
were free or unconnected \i.e. without any loalT] doAvn to
the base ; in others I have noticed six primary rays, but
in every case they were unconnected with each other.
Other rays soon make their appearance between those first
formed ; they are mere calcareous specks at first, but after-
wards increase in size. The first union of the rays is
observed as a small calcareous rim at the base of the
polype, which afterwards increases both in height and
diameter with the age of the animal.”*

From a valuable series of observations made by Mrs.
Thynne,f it would appear that the CaryophylUa discharges
its ova in spring, which in about two days become rotating
infusorioid animalcules. In a week or two these affix
themselves, and develop tentacles and a disk, and gradually
grow to the size, and even far more than the size, of the
parent, with all the characteristic colours and marks, hut
without the least trace of a coraUum. During the pi-ogress
of this condition, the individuals increase rapidly by
spontaneous fission, the separated portions immediately
becoming independent animals. It is difficult to suggest
any flaw in the evidence of identity ; but it is to be
regretted that the experiments terminated without any
sign of the development of a coralhim.

Double and even triple specimens are not uncommon ;
and I have seen at least two examples (one of which I now
possess) that arc fourfold. J The appearance of such speci-
mens is exactly that of a branching coral ; and, strange to

* Quoted in Johnston’s Br. Zoopb. i. 199.

t Ann. N. H. for June, 1859.

+ Such a specimen I have figured in my Dev. Coast, pi. v. fig. 5.

THE DEVONSHIRE CUP-CORAL.

315

say, if one alone of the disks be fed, the rest will presently
become equally distended, as if partaking of a common
life. On breaking one of these double skeletons, however,
no communication is found to exist between the cavities ;
and hence we must conclude that such instances are due to
the aecidental fixation of two or more gemmules in close
proximity to each other, and the coalescence of the cal-
careous walls in process of gi'owth.

The name Caryophyllia is formed of Kapvov, a nut, and
<f)vX\ov, a leaf, — q.d. “ a nut of leaves” = plates. The
specific name is in lionour of Thomas Smith, who appears
to have first observed it on the south coast of Devon.

A curious little Barnacle (Pyrgoma Anglicum) is para-
sitic on this species, affixing itself to the outer edge of the
plates ; two are sometimes found on the same coral.

The corallum is very hard. An hour’s rubbing of one
on a slab of marble rough from the saw, with a view to a
longitudinal section, produced little effect on the coral,
though it effectually polished the marble.

The following list of habitats show that the species is
widely scattered around our coasts.

Shetland (deep-water), Fleming: Moray Firth (d. w.),
ir. G. : Guernsey (low-Avatcr), T. D. H. : Torquay (1. w.
abundant, d. w. rare), P. IL G. : Dartmouth (1. w.),
E. W. IL U. : Cornwall (1. w. abundant), P. Q. C. :
Ilfracombe (1. w. abundant), P. IL G. : Oban, J. A.: Larne
(d. w.), G. D. (b.) .• Lambay, It. Ball: Dalkey Sound (1. w.)
It. B. : M'exford Bay, TT^. M Calla : Nymph Bank (d. w.),
ir. T. : Youghal, P. P. .* Bantry Bay (1. w. common),
E. P. W.: Connemara, W.MC.: Bundoran, P. B.: Lougli
Swilly (d. w.), G. I), (n.) : Ijough Foyle (d. w.) G. D. (b.)

Corynactis.

Smith 1 1.

[cyathus].

31(5

GENUS II. PARACYATHUS (M. Edvv. & EIaime).

Corallim simple, subturbiiiate or cylindrical, with
an expanded base, permanently adherent.

Columella very broad, terminated by a papillous
surface, and formed by processes that appear to arise
from the lower part of the inner edge of the septa.

Palules of divers orders, forming two or more
circles ; in general lobed at the summit, narrow, tall,
and appearing also to arise from the lower part of the
inner edge of the septa, their size diminishing as
they approach the columella.

Plates nearly equal, very slightly salient, and
closely set ; their lateral surfaces strongly granulated,
and sometimes presenting traces of imperfect dis-
sepiments. They form four or five cycles, and the
systems are equally developed.

Pihs nearly equal, straight, closely set, projecting
very little, and delicately granulated.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Plates forming five imperfect cycles: cup elliptical . . . I'axilianus.
Plates forming four imperfect cycles : cup circular . . .

Ribs obsolete below I'hulenm.

Ribs very salient below pteropus.

CA R YOPH YL LI a cea .

TURBIX0LIA1J.E.

THE MORAY CUP-CORAL.

Pa raci/a thus Taxil ia mis.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate X. Fig. 6.

Specific Character. Plates in five imperfect C5mles ; calice elliptical ; ribs
notched above, granulous below.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Coralliim. Slightly turbinate, adhering by a base broader than any
other part, a little diminishing towards mid-height, and widening gently
above and below. Wall thin. Height about equal to the medium diameter.

Ribs. Distinct from base to margin ; on the
\ipper half prominent, thin, with a rather sharp,
but irregularly notched edge, separated by inter-
costal furrows of about twice their width ; on
the lower half forming low rounded ridges,
crowned with conical granules, set in two or three
iiTCgular longitudinal rows ; all are nearly alike
in every respect.

Calice. Elliptical ; the axes as 24 : 31.

Plates. Forming five cycles and six .systems ;
but those of the fifth cycle are wholly wanting
in three systems, and present in both halves of

the other three. Not very close-set, not very salient, thin, very little thick-
ened externally, the highest point of their edge a little within the margin,
whence it slopes very slightly inward and downward, in an undulate line,
ending with an abrupt angle, whence the inner edge descends i)erpendicu-
larly : the entire edge rises into irregular eminences and blunt points,
and both surfaces are roughened with coarse granules.

Columella. Formed of two or three much twisted lamella;, with broad
rounded lobes, rising from the united palules.

Palules. Thin, waved, lobed and granulate, like the septa; those of
the tertiary septa large ; the others inconspicuous, and only here and there
discernible ; united in the centre into an irregularly waved and perforated
horizontal plate.

P. TAXILIANUS
( magnified ).

A portion cut away to
show the plates.

318

TUEBINOLTAD^.

Size.

Diameter of long axis, -SI inch ; of short axis, '24 ; height ‘21 to -14,
unequal because the corallum is built partly on a shell and partly on a
Sevpula tube adhering to it.

Animal. Unknown.

Locality.

The Moray Fh'th ; deep water.

It is with some doubt that I re er this and the two
following species to the genus Faracyatlius. Generally
agreeing with its characters, they all have the peculiarity
of the union of the palules into a horizontal perforate
platform, which does not appear to be the case with any of
the hitherto described species.

The single specimen on which the above description is
founded was forwarded to me by my kind friend, Mr.
Gregor, of Macduff, Avho obtained it from deep water.
It is affixed to the inside of an old valve of Cyprina
Islanclica, and has the appearance of being recent.

The only species of Paracyathiis with which this is likely
to be confounded is the fossil P. crassus of the London Clay ;
but from this it may be distinguished by the union of the
palules, by the ribs being proportionally thinner and more
remote, and by the diversity of their upper and lower
portions.

Paracyatlius is derived from irapa, near, and KvaOo^, a
cup (the element of Cyathina). I have assigned a specific
name from Taxilium, the ancient appellation of the pro-
montory now called Kinnaird’s Head, off which the specimen
was taken.

Caryophyllia.

Taxilianus.

crassus.

CAR YOPH YLLIA CEA.

TURBINOLIADM.

THE SIIETLxVND CUP-CORAL.

Paracyatlius Tlndensis.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate X. Fig. 8.

Specific Character. Plates in four imperfect cycles ; calice circular ;
height equal to half the diameter.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Corallum. Slightly turbinate, adhering by a base, which, though broad,
is the narrowest part. Height about half the diameter.

Ribs. Prominent on upper half, becoming ob-
solete below ; their edges set with tooth-like coni-
cal tubercles ; separated by intercostal furrows,
which on the whole equal the ribs in width, but
both are irregular.

Calice. Circular, shallow.

Plates. Forming four cycles and six systems ;
those of the fourth cycle wanting in the halves of
four systems, and present in both halves of the
other two. Rather wide apart, moderately salient,
rather thick, scarcely thickened externally ; out-
line of their upper edge foi-ming a flattened arch,
but not uniformly, in some the highest point being at the margin, in others
far within ; inner edge nearly perpendicular : entire edge set with irregular
eminences and blunt points : both surfaces studded with coarse granules.

Columella. A single flexuous plate with a somewhat tri-radiate summit,
united below to the palules.

Palules. Indistinct, being confluent, and sending off horizontal traverses
to the septa, so as to form an irregular perforated horizontal lamina,
whence the columella rises.

r. TUULENSIS
( magnified ).
Vertical aspect of
corallum.

Size.

Diameter ’19 inch ; height T.

Animal. Unknown.

320

TURBINOLIADyE.

Locautt.

Shetland Isles ; iloray Firth ; deep water.

Looking over the cabinet of Dr. Ilowclen, of ]\Iontrose,
last winter, my eye fell on this little Coral, which seemed
new to me. Its owner was so kind as to transfer it to
my possession, when, on careful examination, it proved
to be an unrecognised species, with the characters above
enumerated. It may be distinguished from P. caryophyllus
by the relative proportion of the height to the diameter,
and from all other described species by the number of septal
cycles.

Dr. Howden dredged the specimen off Ord Head in
Bressai Sound, Shetland, in thirty or forty fathoms, on a
bottom of small stones, to one of which it is attached.

In March of the present year Mr. Gregor sent me, on a
valve of Lutraria, a specimen, which appears to be of the
same species, but of younger age. It is not more than
half the size of the former, but in other particulars agrees
sufficiently. On my putting it into sea-water on its arrival,
the pellucid flesh came up and filled the intersepts, giving
satisfactory evidence of its freshness. Unfortunately it
had been sent through the post, packed dry ; it was probably
alive when despatched. The whole corallum in this speci-
men is of the purest translucent whiteness. It came up
on a fisherman’s line from the !Moray Firth, in about forty
fathoms, hard bottom.

The specific name is from Thule, the ancient designa-
tion, as presumed, of the Shetland Isles.

Taxilianus.

Thulensis.

pteropus.

CARYOPHYLLIA CEA.

TURBINOLIADAL

THE WINGED CUP-CORAL.

Paracyaflius lyteropns:,

(r'p. nov.)

Plate X. Fly. 7.

Specific Character. Plates in four imperfect cycles ; calice circular ;
ribs very salient, dilating into wings below ; height less than half the
diameter.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Corallam. Cylindrical, adhering by the entire breadth ; height less
than half the diameter.

Ribs. Thin, nearly straight, sub-equal, separated by intercostal spaces
about thrice their width, very salient throughout, but from the middle
do^vnwa^d developing into triangular buttresses, the long lower edges of
which are adherent to the support, so that the area inclosed by their
points is far wider than that inclosed by the wall : their whole surface, as
well as that of the intercostal spaces, has a slightly carious, but glossy
appearance, not exactly granular.

Calice, Circular, shallow ; the margin in the same plane.

Plates. Forming four cycles and six equal systems, those of the fourth
cycle wanting in half of each system. They are wide apart, being separated
by twice or thrice their own thickness, thin, salient, but unequally so,
some of the primaries and secondaries rising to twice the height, above the
waU, of the tertiaries, but others are more nearly equal ; their planes are
more or less waved, and their surfaces set with scattered blunt eminences :
upper edge truncate, nearly horizontal, but slightly declining inwards, and
rising with an abrupt blunt point at the inner edge, which then descends
perpendicularly.

Columella. A single flexuous plate, united
below to the palules.

Palules. Distinct, united to the inner edges
of the primary and secondary plates, and to
some (not all) of the tertiary : they are thick,
very sinuous, their surfaces set with rounded
eminences, and their upper edges much
lol>ed ; they are united by their inner edges
into an iixegular horizontal platform, out of the centre of which rises the
columella.

P. PTEBOPC3
( corallum magnified ).

322

TURBINOLIADJC.

Size.

Diameter from Avail to wall '13 inch ; lieiglit 'C5.
Ani.\ial. Unknown.

Locality.

The Moray Fii’th, deep water.

For this very distinct and remarkable little Coral I am
indebted to Mr. James Macdonald, of Elgin, -who obtained
it from Lo3.sieinoutli, in October, 1858, attacked to a valve
of Cyprina, from the deepest part of the Moray Firth.
There is no other species with which it can possibly be
confounded, the expansions of the ribs presenting a ^•ery
striking character. They remind me of the immense but-
ti'csses which surround the base of the giant Ceiba of tlie
.lamaican forests. To this feature I have alluded in the
specific name, Avhich is formed from nrepov, a wing, and
7rov<;, a foot.

kly friends, Messrs. Macdonald and Gregor, speak of
other Corals having at various times come under their
notice, but they had always been set down, like these now
recorded, as Carycpliyllia Smithii. It is by no means
improbable that further research may considerably aug-
ment the list of our liviim' Corals.

O

Tliulensis.

Fl’EROPUS.

323

GENUS III.

SPIIENOTROCHUS (M. Edw. & Haime).

Turhinolia (Lajiarck),

CorciUum simple, free, with no trace of adherence,
wedge-shaped, the superior extremity wider in all
directions than the inferior ; transversely elliptical.

Columella, a single lamina, occupying the greater
axis of the calice : its upper margin flexiioiis and
bilobate.

Paliiles entirely wanting.

Plates extending to the columella, or meeting in the
centre of the visceral chamber ; broad, slightly salient,
forming three cycles, and six systems.

Pihs broad, not very prominent, in general crisped,
or represented by a series of papillous tubercles.

ANALYSIS OF BRITISH SPECIES.

Comllum uniformly dimiuisliing downward ; ribs smooth . Macandrewanm.
Corallurn pedicellate, with swelling nodes ; ribs crisped . Wrighlii.

T 2

CA R YOPH YLLJA CEA .

TURBIN on A DjB.

THE SMOOTH-RIBBED WEDGE-CORAL.

Sphenotrochus Macandrewanus.

Plate X. Fig. 4.

Specific Character. Corallum uniformly diminishing downward; ribs
smooth, not salient ; edge of calice plane.

Tarbinolia milletiana. Thompson, Annals N. H. Ser. 1. xviii. 394.

Johnston, Br. Zooph. Ed. 2, i. 196; pi.
XXXV. figs. 1 — 3. E. P. Wright, N. H.
Rev. vi. 122. Gosse, Man. Mar. Zool. i.
32 ; fig. 49.

Sphenotrochus Andrewianus. M. Edwards and Haime, Ann. d. Sci. Nat.

Ser. 3. ix. 243 ; pi. vii. fig. 4.
ilacandreivanus. M. Edwards, Hist, des Corall. ii. 70.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Corallum. An inverted cone, compressed, lengthened, straight, with
the inferior extremity forming a wedge-like blunt point.

Ribs. Perfectly straight, smooth, nearly equal throughout, or slightly
enlarged above, separated by intercostal spaces about twice as wide as
themselves, moderately prominent, continued round the edge of the scar
where the corallum was originally attached.

Calice. The edges on the same horizontal plane ; outline elliptical, in
the ratio of 100 : 120.

Plates. Twenty-four ; in three complete and well-develojied cycle.s,
close-set, straight, thick at the margin, and gradually thinning towards the
centre of the calice ; salient, arched at their upper edge, with a surface very
slightly granulose. The primaries and secondaries are subequal and similari
and hence the appearance of twelve systems ; each of these is united w’ith
the columella by two diverging laminae, as if the j'late were split at its inner
edge, and the two halves separated.

Columella. A single, thin, vertical lamina.

Size.

Height half an inch ; diameter of calice one-fourth of an inch by one-fifth.

THE y-MOOTH-RIBBED WEDGE-CORAL.

Ii25

Animal. Undeecribed.

Locality.

The coaets of Cornwall and Galway : deep water.

I am sorry that I can give no information about this
species additional to what is already known, viz., that it
exists in a living state on our coasts, and that the skeleton
is preserved in cabinets. That in the British Museum is
the only one that I have seen. As long as naturalists con-
tent themselves with merely preserving the skeletons of the
animals they meet with, but little progress can be made in
a knowledge of their history.*

The present species is said to have been dredged alive
off Scilly, by Mr. MacAndrew, after whom it has been
named, and ofi* Arran, on the west coast of Ireland, by Mr.
Barlee. The generic name is from a wedge, and

Tpo')(p<i, a top, in allusion to the form of the corallum.

S. milletianus, with which this has been confounded, is
a fossil of the miocene period, with a thicker point, and
a more elliptical calice.

intermedins {foss.).

Macandrewanus.

[Boemeri (ybs5.).]

* M. Milne Edwards has fallen (Hist. Corall. ii. 70) into the strange
inadvertence of supposing that the figure given by Johnston (Br. Zooph.
Ed. 2, pi. XXXV. fig. 7), of the living animal, belongs to this species ;
though the text distinctly says it is a Carynphytlia Smithii. The figure is
poor enough, it is true.

CA R YOPE YLLIA CEA .

TURBINOLIAL.E.

THE KNOTTED WEDG E-COE AL.

SphenotrocJius Wrigh tii.

Plate X. Fig. 3.

Sjiecifio Character. Corallum pedicellate, with swelling nodes; ribs
papilliferous on the body, and crossed with zig-zag folds on the pedicel.

Sphenotrochus Wrightii. Gosse, Nat. Hist. Review^, vi. 161 ; pi. xvii.

figs. 1 — 1.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Corallum. Simple, straight (or else with the base considerably curved
laterally), compressed above (the axes of the disk being 60 ; 42 in general ;
in one example, however, 60 : 50), but rounded in the lower two-thirds,
pedicellate ; the body and the pedicel varying exceedingly in their rela-
tive proportions, the former being to the latter as 1 : 5 in one example ;
in another, as 1 : 1; in another, as 1 : 1‘2, — no tw'o of tho four specimens
in my possession being alike in this respect. The pedicel is surrounded
hy four to six constrictions, vai’ying greatly in their relative distance :
these separate nodes are moi'e or less swollen, of which one, a little above
the base, is usually more vcntricose than the rest; the pedicel generally
enlarges upwards, but its distinction from tho body is marked by an
abrupt shoulder.

Rihs. About as wide as the intoi’spaces, di.stinctly traceable only as far
down as the termination of the body ; their course is irregularly angular ;

the primaries and secondaries terminate at the shoulder in
prominent knobs. On the pedicel only the six lU'imaries are
distinguishable, and these are then crossed by numerous
strongly indented zig-zag folds, of which the higher angle
is on the rib, tho lower in the inter.spacc. All the ribs of
the body-region are’studded with irregularly projecting points
or papillary eminences.

Ba.’^e. A small but distinct circular cavity, into which tho
extremities of the six primary ribs project.

Calice. Considerably arched, the short axis being much
(magnified), the higher; rather deep.

Plates. Tw’enty-four, in three cycles; the lateral primaries
and secondaries more developed than (he terminal ones ; moderately close-
sot, irregularly bent in their planes, thick exteriorly, suddenly diminishing

THE KNOTTED WEDGE-COKAL.

327

just within tho wall, ami tlicuce gradually becoming thinner. The primariec
and secondaries equal in height and breadth ; the tertiaries much lower ;
all salient, the upper edge obliquely truncate, sloping down from the
margin inward. The two plates which form the short axis are united
to the columella by diverging lamina) ; but this structiu-e appears to be
wanting in the others. The surfaces of all the plates are rough, with
.scattered papillary points.

Columella. Bent at each end towards one (the same) side ; its upper

edge thickened iii

irregular swellings.

In .some .specimens

it is not visible

iVom above.

NO.

Size (of four examples).

LONG AXIS. SHOUT AXIS.

HEIGHT.

1 . .

. O’OS inch . . .

0-062 ....

0-155

2

. 0-06 „ . . .

0-042 ....

0-140

3 . .

. 0 06 „ . . .

0-050 ....

0-110

4 . .

. 0 06 „ . . .

0.042 ....

0-144

Ani.mal. Unknown.

Locality.

North-cast coast of Ireland ; deep water.

I'his species resembles S. crispus in its zig-zag folds,
but lias more agreement witli S. mixtus in its general
eliaracters. In its tendency to a curyed form, however,
as well as in its pedicellate cliaracter, and especially in
t!ic presence of a well-formed basal area, wliicli appears
to have been a point of adhesion, it displays so much
affinity with Ceratotrochus (according to the diagnosis of
^lilne Edwards) that I was at first disposed to assign
it to that genus.

The four specimens that I have above described Iiavc
been entrusted to me by my kind friend, Ur. E. Perceval
Wright, of the Uiiblin University, with whose name 1 have
honoured the species. They were dredged by G. C. Ilynd-
man. Esq., among shell sand, from a turbot bank off the
coast of Antrim, in 1852.

I have introduced the tiny form into this work, believing
it to be an existing, and not a fossil species. Professor

328

TURBINOLIAD^.

Milne Edwards, indeed, considers the Sphenotrochi with
papillate and crisped ribs to be in no case later than the
eocene deposits ; while those with smooth ribs he looks
upon as invariably belonging to higher strata, and reaching
to the present period : but this is a canon which a new
species may at any moment overturn, if it be not already
subverted by the 8. nanus (Lea) of the eocene of Alabama.
Dr. E. P. Wright mentions, as a suspicious circumstance,
that many pleistocene shells do exist in the bed of shelly
sand, where these specimens were found. But this does not
confirm Professor Milne Edwards’s rule ; for, so far as
that could decide the question, it would prove not only
that this crisped Coral is not recent, but that it is certainly
as old as the miocene.

Dr. Wright says : — “ I have reason to think, however,
that they are not fossil;” and the same is my own impres-
sion, though I can scarcely assign any definite grounds for
it, except the fresh appearance of one or two of the speci-
mens. Some of them are rubbed, and one is polished
externally.

The uniformity in size of the individuals, and the full
development of the plates, indicate a probability that,
minute as they are, they have attained adult age.

[mixtus (/h*-^.).]

[crispus (yhss.).]

Wrightii.

[Ceratotrochus (/oss,).]

GENUS IV. ULOCYATHUS (Saks).

Flabellum (Gray).

Corallum simple, free, turbinate, with traces of
adherence (in the young state) on a very short wedge-
shaped crooked pointed base.

Columella and palules entirely wanting.

Ribs not at all prominent, sometimes obscure.

Plates very thin, high, very salient above the margin
of the cup, distinct throughout their length.

Calice very deep ; the margin sinuous and crisped.

Animal resembling that of Caryophjllia.

Only one species has been recognised, U. arctkus.

ULOCYATHUS ARCTICUS

Sari) slightly magnified.

CA R YOPH YLLIA CEA .

TURBINOLIADJL

THE SCARLET CRISP-CORAL.

JJlocyatliHs arcticns.

Specific Character. Base triangular anil flat, bounded by a sharp edge :
calice round.

riocyathus arcticm. Sar3, Fauna Litt. Xorv. ii. 73 ; pi. x. figs.

18—27.

E'abeUum MacAmlreici. J. E. Gu.vt, Proc. Zool. Soc. May, 1849 ; pi. ii.

fig.s. 10, 11.

GENEKAL DESCPtlPTI 0 N.

CORALLUM.

Corallum. Simple, free, but with trace.? of having been adherent in
infancy ; the base with a great inferior surface, triangular, flat, often
concave, separated from the superior surface, which is equally triangular
and convex, by a sharp edge on each side.

Ribs. Large, often indi.stinct, unequal ; the primaries sometimes armed
with minute txibercles.

Calice. Vei’y wide and deep; the edge almost circular, crisped with
minute sinuosities.

Plates. These arc so irregular that it is difficult to count the cycles,
but they are at least four. Those of the first and second are more than
twice as high as the I’est, and reach to the centre of the cup, where they
unite, but irregularly : the others are low'er and shorter in gradation, the
lowest projecting little w’ithin the margin. All are perfectly separ.atc
throughout, extremely thin, sharp-edged, the surfaces set with minute
granules often running in curved lines : the free edge of all is arched, and
their greatest width is one-third from the summit. The primaries and
secondaries are veiy salient, and the edge of the calice seen in 2’rofile
forms eleven or twelve triangular lobes.

Columella mA. palules wholly wanting.

ANIMAL.

Form.

Column. Actinia-like, without any trace of gemmaj.

Disk. Radii fine, distinct.

Tentacles. About 140, in four rows, close-set, irregular; the innermost
three or four times as large as the outermost : stem cylindro-conicah

THE SCARLET CRISP-CORAL.

331

covered with large round prominent warts ; head globose, smooth, imper-
forate ; very contractile, but not retractile.

Mouth. A wide slit in the direction of the long axis : lip crenate, with
forty to sixty-five deep furrows.

Colour.

A hiilliant orange-scarlet; a little lighter on the inner tentacles : the
furrows of the lip intense blood-red.

Size.

Corallum. About one and a half inch in diameter, and a little less in
height.

Locality,

The coasts of Norway and Shetland : deep water.

Of this species, by far the largest and noblest of the
simple European Corals, a specimen was dredged by j\Ir.
.MacAndrew about twenty-five miles off East Shetland, in
ninety fathoms. The individual v/as broken by the dredge,
and only a portion of the corallum was secured, which i.s
now in the British Museum. There can be no doubt,
however, of its identity.

A considerable number of examples have been obtained
by Mr. Sars at Oxfjord, close to North Cape, the extreme
northern point of Europe. It lives at an amazing deptli,
even from 150 to 200 fathoms, where the pressure of the
superincumbent water must be immense. Clear as are
the waters of the northern seas, so vast a volume of water
must surely absorb nearly the whole of the rays of light,
and the rich hues of the animal arc therefore the more
remarkable. It lies free on the mud or clay, never having
occurred with evidence of recent attachment.

The generic name is formed from ovXo<;, crisped, and
Kva6o<;, a cup.

[Desmophyllum.]

ARCTICUS.

[Flabcllum.]

332

FAMILY IV.— OCULINAD^.

The corallum in this family is solid (not porous), com-
pound, increasing by gemmation so as to take a form more
or less branching and tree-like. The stony tissue is very
compact, the surface smooth, delicately striate near the
calices, or but slightly granular. The walls of the coralUtes
(or stony skeletons of the individual polypes) are not per-
forate, not distinct from the common tissue {coPMmchyma) ,
and increase by their inner surface, so as gradually to
fill up the cavity from below upwards. The interseptal
chambers are only imperfectly divided by a few dissepiments,
or horizontal projections of stony matter shot across. The
plates {septa) are entire, or have the upper edge slightly
divided ; they are well developed, and are few in number.

We have but one native representative of this family,
the genus Lopliohelia.

333

GENUS 1. LOPHOHELIA (M. Edw. & Haime).

Madrepora (Linn.).

Oculina (Lamarck).

Litkodendron (Schweigqer).

Corallum tree-like, or forming a branching thicket,
the branches coalescing; the form results from a
gemmation irregularly alternate and sub-terminal.
There is no true coenenchyma, but the walls are very
thick, scarcely ribbed.

Calices having a deep cavity, with a reverted
lamellar edge.

Columella palules wanting.

Plates entire, salient, unequal, the principal ones
united towards the lower part of their inner edges,
at the bottom of the visceral cavity.

There is but one known British species, L. prolifera.

CA R TOP II YLLIA CEA ,

OCULINADJS.

THE TUFT-CORAL.

Lopliohelia prolifer a.

Plate X. Fig. 1 (reduced).

Specific Character. Corallites cylindrical.

Madrepora proUfera.

Lithodendron prollferum.
Oculina prolifera.

Lophohella prolifera.

Lixn. Sy.st. Nat. Ed. 12, 1281. Ellis and
SoLANDER, Zooph. pi. xxxii. figs. 2—5.
Esper, Pflanz. i. 104; Madr. pi. xi.
ScHWEiGGER, Handb. der Nat. 416.

Lamarck, An. s. verteb. ii. 286. L.amour.
Exp. mdtb. 64 ; pi. xxxii. figs. 2 — 5.
D.vna, Zooph. 393.

M. Edw. and IIaime, Ann. des Sci. Nat. Ser. 3.
xiii. 81. M. Enw. Hist. Corail. ii. 117.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

CoraUum. Forming a massive, compact, many-branched tree, rising
from a slender base, permanently attached to rocks.

Corallites. Free laterjilly, in general budding only once or twice,
cylindrical, or but slightly expanding at the summit, moderately long.
Exterior surface covered with very minute close-set granules, without ribs,
except very faint marginal traces. The margin is often surrounded by a
thin lamellar expansion.

Plates. Systems generally une-jual and irregular, being formed of
seven, or five, or three derived plates, but easily recognisable by following
the development of the primaries, which are far greater than the others.
The^^ato themselves arc thick in the centre and towards the mai’gin, but
are thinned off to a sharp edge, w'hich is irregular in outline, but not
notched ; their surfaces covered w’ith minute granules. The principal
ones, from eight to twelve in number, are stouter and far more salient
than the rest.

Ha/fe. Very thick and dense, gradually filling up the bottom of the
cavities.

SiZK.

The individual corallites are from one-fourth to half an inch in height
and diameter. The dimensions of the compound mass vary according to

THE TUFT-CORAL.

335

jige : tlie specimen figured is about ten inches in height, and seven in
diameter.

Animal. Uudescribed.

Locality.

The uorth-western coasts of Europe : deep water.

Tlie figure in Plate X. is taken from a noble speeimen,
undoubtcdlj British, reduced to half the natural size. ]
am indebted for the opportunity of delineating it to the
kindness of Professor Dickie, of Belfast, -who was at tlie
pains of having several photographs taken from it for my
use, and. favoured me also Avith many fragments including
])erfect corallitcs. Dr. Dickie informs me that it Avas
obtained from deep Avater off Skye, in 1852, by means of
the deep-sea lines of a fislierman, Avho presented it to him.
He mentions liaAdng seen another British example, in the
possession of Professor Fleming, the same that the latter
exliibited before the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1846,
and which had been taken in the previous summer, by
hshenneii Avhose lines had become entangled Avith it in the
sea betAveen the islands of Rum and Eig. This specimen,
Avhich Aveighs six pounds, is preserved in the IMuseum of
King’s College, Aberdeen. A third example is alluded to
by Johnston, Avho was informed by E. Forbes that certain
published figures of the species “ had recalled to his mind
a ATry large specimen in the possession of Dr. Edmonstonc
of Orkney.” It is to be regretted tliat aa^c possess no
information of the living animal of so fine a Coral, the
only British example of the truly dendroid species.

The name Lopliolielia is formed from X6(f>o<;, a tuft, and
the sun ; q. d. “ a tuft of suns,” alluding to the
radiating plates of the corallites.

[Acrohelia.]

Lopuohelia.

[Amphihelia.]

336

FAMILY V.— ANGIAD^.

The visceral cavity of the corallum in this family is
not obliterated, nor even subdivided ; the interseptal dis-
sepiments being merely rudimentary. There is no coenen-
cliyma^ and the wall is imperforate.

The plates have notched edges, but not very conspi-
cuously.

The corallum is massive. It increases by gemmation ;
the buds being developed on stolons, or on basal membrani-
form expansions.

The corallites are not united by their sides, except
accidentally by means of their walls, and they remain
short.

But one British genus is known, Hoplangia.

GENUS I. HOPLANGIA (Gosse).

Phyllanfjia (Gosse).

Coralliim iiicrusting foreign bodies.

CoraUites ratlier short, formed by buds ^vhicll
spring from aa expansion around the base of the
parent, permanently united to it (but not to each other)
by the inferior portions of their walls.

Wall surrounded by a thin porcellanous coat {epi-
iheca)y which permits the ribs to be traced through it ;
granulate.

Bibs thin, sharp, low, very unequally distinct.

Columella a broad surface of rough papillae,
merging into the plates.

Balides wanting.

Blafes thin, scarcely salient, unequal, straight,
granulose, toothed on the edges, except the upper
edges of the primaries, which are nearly entire.

There is but one species, 11. Buroirir.

CA R YOPH YLLIA CEA .

ANGIADuE.

THE WEYI^IOUTH CARPET-COEAL.

Hoplangia Durotrix.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate X. Fig. 9.*

Specific Character. Plates in four imperfect cycles.

Phyllangia Americana. Gosse, Annals N. H. Ser, 3. ii. 349.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Corallum. Compound, increasing laterally on all sides ; low, not rising
above the height of the individual corallites ; iucrusting rocks.

Corallites. Formed by budding from a permanent, thin, calcareous,
carpet-like expansion, which spreads around the base of the parent, to
which each is permanently united by the inferior portion of the wall.
(In the specimen in my possession, four corallites of sub-equal size are
grouped around a parent, which has been long dead, for the inner portions
of its plates have been worn away.) They are cylindrical, deep, about
twice as high as wide, slightly inclining outwards from the common
centre.

Wall, Invested by a thin porcelain-like coat of calcareous matter,
which appears identical with the basal carpet. It terminates above with
a perfectly defined, slightly everted edge, above which the wall is beau-
tifully white and clean, while the epitheca is dirty white, and coated with
a minute sponge. The epitheca shows traces of periodic growth, by a
succession of such everted edges not totally obliterated ; and while in one
corallite the edge is level with the summits of the plates, in another there
is at least one-fourth of the total height above the epitheca. Hence
I infer that the wall with the septa makes a periodic growth above the
last level of the epitheca, while the latter remains dormant, and that then
the epitheca is deposited at once around the new growth ; the wall and
the epitheca thus growing alternately. The wall is covered with minute
scattered granules, and these as well as the ribs can be discerned through
the thin ejiitheca.

Ribs. Thin, sharp, low, in some places discernible only at the very
summit of the wall, in others nearly throughout : in the former case they
appear again from the edge of the epitheca a little way downward.

* Marked “ Ph yllangia A mericana ” in some copies.

THE WEYMOUTH CARPET-CORAL.

339

Columella. The floor of the cavity is covered with iiapillary emi-
nences, which are very rough, with irregular points, and are identical with
the lower edges of the principal plates, by the convergence of which they
seem to be formed.

Plates. Thin above, but increasing in thickness below, scarcely salient,
unequal, straight, the surfaces set with irregular granular tubercles, which
become increasingly rough and prominent below.

The edges are strongly but irregularly notched
and toothed, especially below ; but the upper
edge of the prmctr /cs is for the most part sub-
entire ; the form of the outline varies much.

There are normally four cycles in six systems ;
but the fourth cycle is always wanting either
in the whole or in half of some of the systems ;
the amount of defection varying much in dif-
ferent corallites. The development is very un- HOfLANCiA

equal, and the plates of the third or fourth {magnified).

cycle are occasionally larger than those of higher rank, even in the same
system.

Size.

Individual corallites one-eighth of an inch in diameter, and nearly one
fourth in height.

Animal. Undescribed.

Locality.

Weymouth Bay: deep water.

When this neat and interesting little Coral first came into
my hands, I thought, notwithstanding some peculiarities,
that it must be referred to the Phyllangia Americana, a
native of the West Indian seas, and so announced it.
But I see that there are incongruities which prevent its
identification with that or any other recognised genus, and
I have therefore founded a new one to receive it. It has
much in common with Angia, as well as Phyllangia, but
the above diagnosis will, I think, warrant my decision.

In forming a generic name, I have followed the plan of
]\I. Milne Edwards in using a common element for the
genera of a given family ; though perhaps a little heterodox
for stanch Linneans, it has advantages. Taking then the

z 2

340

ANGIAD.E.

element angia, from £17709, a cup, I have completed the
word from oirKov, armour; with a double allusion to the
mail-like epitheca, and the toothing of the plates. Tlie
English name commemorates the manner of gemmation ;
and the specific, the locality in which it was found ; the
Durotriges having, according to Ptolemy, anciently in-
habited the coast of Dorset.

In September, 1858, a dealer from Torquay, dredging
in Weymouth Bay, brought up a piece of the bottom,
about a foot square, evidently the edge of one of the
oolite ledges, torn off by the lip of the dredge. On tliis
were from fifty to a hundred specimens of this little Coral,
clustered in many groups. It was presumed to be Cargo -
phyllia SmitJni, and no special notice being taken of it,
the mass was broken up and dispersed ; and a small frag-
ment accidentally fell under my eye, and tvas secured. I
was not so fortunate as to see the animal alive, my
s})ecimen, though in the flesh, being in an advanced state
of decomposition ; but the discoverer, tvho is pretty familiar
with C. Smitkii, at least as to its general appearance, spoke
of the Hoplangia as resembling that species, and told me
that he remarked green and white hues. lie observed
also numerous tentacles, but did not notice whether they
were knobbed.

[Angia.]

Hoplangia.

[Phyllangia.]

341

FAMILY VI.— EUPSAiMMIADiE.

The stony tissue is here deposited in siieh a manner that
tlie corallum. instead of being compact, is porous, but not
so open as to have a spongy texture. The wall is thick,
and constitutes the chief part of the wliole ; it is perforate,
and eitlier almost or quite naked, with a gi-anulate ver-
miculate surface.

The plates are numerous ; those of the last cycle always
deviate from the radius of the calice, their planes approach-
ing the bisection of their system, so that the whole septal
arrangement assumes the form of a six- or twelve-rayed
star; by which very remarkable peculiarity this family
may be infallibly recognised. The plates are perforate.
The interseptal chambers arc completely open to the bottom,
or divided only by a few incomplete partitions.

There is only one British genus known, BaJanophylUa.

342

GENUS I. BALANOPHYLLIA (Wood).

Corallim simple, adherent, sub-pedicellate, cylin-
drical, or sub-conical.

Columella well-developed, but not projecting at the
bottom of the calice ; of a sponge-like appearance.

Plates thin, close-set ; those of the last cycle well-
developed.

Bibs distinct, narrow, nearly equal, crowded.

The Animal is actinia-like, richly coloured, with a
protrusile mouth, not conspicuously furrowed, and
bluntly-pointed, warted tentacles, without terminal
knobs.

There is only one British species, B. regia.

CA R YOPUYLLIA CEA .

EUPSAMMIAD^.

THE SCAELET AND GOLD STAR-COKAL.

BalanophylUa regia.

Plate X. Firjs. 10, 11.

Specific Character. Corallum sub-conical, circular : epitheca extending
to margin : plates in five imperfect cycles,

Balanophijllia reyia. Gosse, Dev. Coast, 399; pi. xxvi. figs. 1 — 6.

Ibid. Man. Mar. Zool. i. 83 ; fig. 61,

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

CORALLUM.

Corallum. Conico-cylindrical, rising like the trunk of a tree from a base
much broader than the column ; height rarely exceeding, often not equal-
ling, the diameter.

Calice. Circular or nearly so: varying much in depth.

Wall. Rather thick, porous, but scarcely spongy, invested with an
epitheca, which in general extends to the margin, but not always, and occa-
sionally (as in a specimen in my possession) seems wholly wanting.

Ribs. Continuous (not formed of separate granules) but very sinuous,
and in some parts branching, the branches so confluent as to form a rough
network : they are often distinct through the epitheca.

Columella. Much developed, forming a large spongiose mass (or more
like the crumb of well-raised bread), often rising almost to the level of the
margin, but more commonly to about half that height.

Plates. Well developed, thick, here and there perforate, with a frosted
surface and minutely toothed edges, not salient, the upper edge sloping
downwai’d and inward. The star is six-rayed, and is always distinctly
formed, and generally symmetrical. There are five cycles, but some of
the fourth and fifth are wanting in each system. The gradation in deve-
lopment is pretty regular downward from the first to the fourth ; but the
fifth are exceedingly irregular and unequal. The two plates of the fifth
cycle in each system, which stand next to the primaries (that is, those of
the sixth order*), are developed to an extent much exceeding even the

* Hist, des Corail. i. 45.

344

EUPSAiOIIAD^.

primaries themselves, from which they diverge at such an angle that they
mutually meet and coalesce at a point about midway between the origin

of the secondary of that system and the axis
of the calice, but at a level much lower than
the margin ; the two united plates thence pro-
ceed in the intermediate line to join the
columella. In many examples, however, this
continuation of the united quinaries is obsolete
in each alternate system. The quinaries that
are contiguous to the secondaries (the 7th
order) are also much developed, but not so
as to equal the secondaries, with which they
often cohere.

ANIMAL.

Form.

Column. Cylindrical, extensile, smooth, or somewhat invected.

Disl\ Protrusile, in the form of a high truncate cone, on the summit
of which is the mouth, without any thickened or furrowed lip. No trace
of gonidial radii, tubercles, or grooves. ’

Tentacles. About fifty in number, large, conical, obtusely-pointed, with-
out terminal knobs : their walls are translucent, and studded with 02:)aque
transversely-oblong wartf?, which become confluent towards the tip.

Colour.

Column and Dlsl'. Vivid scarlet in adults, orange in young individuals,
opaque.

Tentacles. Gamboge yellow : the hue residing only in the warts.

Size.

Diameter of corallum one-fourth of an inch at margin, and occasionally
twice as much at ba.se ; height from one-sixth to one-fourth. The animal
in full expansion maj* reach one-third of an inch in diameter, and ono-half
in height.

B. REGIA.

Locality.

The coast of North Devon : on rocks at extreme low water.

This showy little Coral, interesting not merely for its
beauty while alive, but for its peculiar structure when cleatl,
was discovered by myself in 1852. I had been spending a

THE SCARLET AND COLD STAR-CORAL.

345

summer at Ilfracombe, and the chills and storms of autumn
were already warning the migrant inliabitants away. It
was a spring-tide in September, and the water had receded
lower than I had seen it since I had been at the place. I
was searching among the extremely rugged rocks that run
out from the Tunnels, forming walls and pinnacles of dan-
gerous abruptness, with deep, almost inaccessible cavities
between. Into one of these, at the very verge of the water,
I managed to scramble down ; and found round a corner
a sort of oblong basin, about ten feet long, in whicli the
water remained, a tide-pool of three feet depth in the
middle. The whole concavity of the interior was so
smooth that I could find no resting-place for my foot in
order to examine it ; though the sides, all covered with
the pink lichen-like Coralline, and bristling with Laminarias
and Zoophytes, looked so tempting that I walked round
and round, reluctant to leave it. At length I fairly stripped,
though it was blowing very cold, and jumped in. I had
examined a good many things, of which the only novelty
was the pretty nan-ow fronds of F lustra chartacea in some
abundance, and was just about to come out, when my eye
rested on what I at once saw to be a Madrepore, but of aii
unusual colour, a most refulgent orange. It was detached
by means of the hammer, as were several more, which were
associated with it. Xot su.specting, however, that it was
anything more than a variation in colour of that very vari-
able species, Caryo'phyllia Smithu, I left a good many
remaining, for which I was afterwards sorry, since they
proved to belong to this new and interesting form before
us. All were affixed to the pci’pendicular side of the pool,
above the permanent water-mark : and there were some of
the common CaryopliylUos associated with them.

I afterwards found the same species in considerable
number, e.specially during the very low springs of the

346

EUPSAMMIAD^.

October new moon, among the rocks off tlie Tunnels, all in
the vicinity of the spot where I found the first. They were
always in the same circumstances, erowded in colonies;
one cavity, just large enough to turn in, containing perhaps
a hundred, speckling the walls with their little scarlet disks,
near extreme low water. Not one that I took presented
the least variation from the charaeters I had jotted down
already ; but one specimen had adhering to its base two
very young ones, one about a line in diameter, the other
not more than one-third of a line. Examination with a
lens revealed no difference either in form or colour between
these and the adult ; the condition of their skeleton is un-
known, as I did not choose to destroy the infant specimen,
much to my present regret.

Since that time it has been found in considerable abund-
ance along the same line of coast ; and it has become
common in our aquariums. It is always attractive from
its brillianey, and is moderately hardy, though it appears
rather more difficult to keep than Caryopliyllia.

The integuments are opaque, even when distended :
indeed they never become filled with water to anything like
the extent which makes the spceies just named so beautiful.
The plates are never visible, during life, in any degree of
contraction, the red flesh lying as an opaque cushion over
them even when all the tentacles are withdrawn. I am
not sure that the disk is ever wholly covered by the inver-
sion of the eolumn ; even when the tentacles are quite con-
eealed beneath the margin, the large mouth-eone still pro-
trudes from the central orifice. Sometimes the tentacles
sink to very low warts or minute yellow eminences on
the scarlet plain that constitutes the disk.

I have said that the epitheca is not unvarying ; and I
think that the flesh does not extend externally below its
edge. One in my possession, however, had the exterior of

THE SCARLET AND GOLD STAR-CORAL. 347

the corallum wholly clothed with the scarlet integument,
even down to the base. The covering was exceedingly
thin, for with a needle-point I could feel the stony corallum
without any sensible indentation of the surface, and the
points at the margin were projecting.

I have no information about the reproduction of the
species, except such as may be gathered from the following
observation. In the month of September, in a vase in
which several specimens were kept, and which contained
nothing else to which I could reasonably attribute the
phenomenon, I found several clusters of ova. Each cluster
consisted of about a dozen, loosely aggregated, and all con-
nected by a kind of twisted cord, which formed a footstalk
for each. The eggs were perfectly globular, ^\th of an
inch in diameter, of a pellucid orange-yellow hue. One of
them under the microscope showed the contents granular,
and receding from the chorion, with a definite outline.
None of them developed the embryo to my knowledge.

The genus was established by i\Ir. Wood in 1844, to
receive a fossil species from the Red Crag of Sutton. It
now contains eleven species, most of them fossil, but one
exists in the Italian seas, and two others elsewhere. There
is none with which D. regia can be confounded. The
generic name is derived from ^d\avo<;, an acorn or nut,
and (f>vWov, a leaf, and the specific alludes to the royal
colours in which the animal is arrayed.

Ilfracombe, P. //. G. ; Lundy, C. K.

REGIA.

[cylindrica

348

LUCERNARIAD.E.

(?) POCILLOFORA INTERSTINCTA (Mliller).

At a meeting of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (Trans.
!March, 1846), Dr. Fleming exhibited a characteristic draw-
ing of a Focilloj)ora presumed to be of this species, which
was obtained by Dr. Hibbert in the Shetland Seas. Dr.
Fleming had expected that a detailed description of tliis
would have been published before the appearance of liis
“ History of British Animals,” in 1828. It is, however, I
believe, still a desideratum.

The genus is marked by the following characters :
Corallum massive or sub-trcc-like, with thick, imperforate
walls. Visceral chambers divided by well-developed hori-
zontal partitions, or floors, in successive stages. Plates
rudimentary. Calices shallow, with a thick ring at the
bottom of each, forming a sort of columella.

LUCERNARIAD.E.

Contrary to my original intention, I have determined to
exclude this family from my work. Their true affinities
arc with the Ilydrozoa and Meduscp.. The gelatinous tex-
ture, the expanded umbrella, the ovaries in the substar.ee
of the umbrella, the four-lipped mouth placed at the end of
a free peduncle,* and the quadripartite arrangement, arc all
!Medusan characters. The tentacles in marginal groups are
found in Bouffainvilhva, and their form, — knobs at the tip
of long footstalks, — agrees more with Slahheria than with
Corynactis and Cay'yojdiylUa.

* See my fig. of Campamdaria, in Devonsb. Coast, p. 29(3, pi. xviii.

ANATOMICAL DETAILS

APPENDIX.

I.

SPECIES DISCOVERED TOO LATE FOR DESCRIPTION IN TIIEIJi
PROPER PLACES IN THIS VOLUME.

ASTR^ACEA. SAGARTIADM.

THE LATTICED COEKLET.

PhelUa Brodricii.

Plate VIII. Fig. 2.

Sptci^ic Character. Epideriais free at the margin, dense, transversely
corrugated. Tentacles marked with a latticed pattern.

Phcllia Brodricii. O0.SSE, Annals N. II. Ser. 3. iii. 46.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent to rocks ; cousiderahly exceeding the column.

Column. Flat and wrinkled when completely contracted : rising to a
tall, somewhat slender pillar, studded Avith Ioav warts on its upper jAortion,
hut covered on its lower two-thirds with a tough, firmly adherent epi-
dermis, the upper edge of which is free, with a ragged foliaceous margin,
not forming a tube. The surface of this is transversely corrugated, but
not warted. The animal frequently expands in its low condition, when
the flower occupies the summit of a very low cone, and is not half the
diameter of the base. A slight margin, much wrinkled in semi-contraction,
and forming a star of radiating furrows in closing.

Dish. Flat or slightly concave ; outline circular.

Tentacles. Arranged in five rows, viz. 6, 6, 12, 24, 48 = 96 ; short and
sleudei’, diminishing from the first roAV outwards ; in ordinary extension
not longer than one-fourth the diameter of the disk ; generally earned
arching over the margin, the tips occasionally turned up.

Mouth. Elevated on a strongly marked cone.

Acontia. Not emitted, even under strong irritation, while in my posses-
sion. Mr. Ilrodrick, however, has seen them projected from the mouth.

350

APPENDIX.

COLOUK.

Column. Exposed part pellucid white, with the warts opaque w'hite.

Epidermis. Ochreous drab, slightly darker in some parts, with longi-
tudinal white lines proceeding from the base, and vanishing a little way
up. Central star of button formed of alternate whitish and blackish rays.

Disk. Drab : each primary and secondary radius marked W'ith two
parallel lines of dark chocolate-brown ; each tertiary radius is similarly but
more faintly marked, and the space inclosed is in these latter radii drab
on their outer and white on their inner moiety, the divisions of the two
colours being marked by a black spot. The space immediately bounding
the foot of each primary tentacle dark brown.

Tentacles. Pellucid whitish ; the lower half opaque white on the front,
crossed by four transverse bars of dusky, the whole (except the lowest one)
being connected by three longitudinal lines of the same colour, which
impart a latticed or window-like pattern to the tentacle.

Mouth. Lip white ; throat white, with black fui-rows.

Size.

Diameter of base nearly an inch, of extended column half an inch, of
flower from one-third of an inch to an inch ; height one inch.

Locality.

Lundy Island : on rocks at low water.

My acquaintance with tliis species I owe to the courtesy
of William Brodrick, Esq., of Ilfracomhe, with whose
name I have honoured it. lie kindly sent me a specimen
in November, 1858, which had at that time been in his
possession about sixteen months, liaving been taken with
another individual in the summer of 1857. Its habit is to
remain on an exposed stone, without any disposition to
roam : it is generally closed by day, or if open the column
is contracted ; but it elongates in darkness. It is very
timid, and cannot on this account be fed : the slightest
touch of the tentacles I found to be followed by an instant
clo.sing. The light of a candle, concentrated by a lens,
presently causes it to shrink and contract.

gausapata.

Brodiucii.

troglodytes.

ASTR^ACEA.

BVNODIBjE.

THE RINGED DEEPLET.

Bolocera eques.

(Sp. nov.)

Plate IX. Fig. 6,

Specific Character. Tentacles wholly retractile ; white, encircled with a
red ring.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Form.

Base. Adherent, scarcely exceeding the column.

Column. Cylindrical ; very changeable in shape ; very distensible ;
surface covered with numerous slightly indented, close-set, longitudinal
stria; ; studded, on the upper two-thirds, with numerous minute warts,
increasing in number to the margin : these are either prominent or level,
at the pleasure of the animal, and they have the power of attaching frag-
ments of extraneous matter, which, however, seems rarely exercised.
Substance lax and pulpy, with thin integuments. Margin forming a
thick parapet, the summit obtusely edged, and notched with close-set
denticulations, which are not warts, but are the terminations of the striae.

Disk. Flat, smooth, with very delicate and inconspicuous radii ; outline
expansile beyond the column.

Tentacles. Sub-marginal, set in six rows: 6,6,12, 24,48,48=144 ;
short, thick, conical, but versatile in form, in contraction being slender, in
distension often ovate, or when this is partial, ovate with a slender point
{mucro) ; constricted at foot, and in contraction marked with longitudinal
sulci, both of which are very readily obliterated ; the tip perforate. They
are subequal, about an inch and a half in length, and when distended,
upwards of one-third of an inch in diameter ; are flexuous, and thrown in
various directions ; are strongly adhesive ; they are jjerfectly and readily
retractile, but in a peculiar mode ; the margin contracts, till its edges meet
over the tentacles, but it never involves itself.

Mouth. Occasionally protruded in form of a wide cone. Two gonidial
grooves, each with its pair of tubercles, and its broad, though faintly
marked, radius. Lips thickened. Stomach-wall capable of being pro-
truded in great bladder-like lobes.

Colour.

Column. A rich light orange-scarlet, rather duller towards the base
the strise marked by slightly paler lines; the warts white, each inclosed in

352

APPENDIX.

a ring a little deeper than the general hue ; the region below the warts
studded with much more minute and more crowded whitish specks.

Disk. Pale bufif or drab, unspotted ; pellucid.

Tentacles. Pellucid white ; a broad scarlet ring, hounded below by a
narrower one of opaque white, surrounds the middle of each tentacle.

Mouth, Liji as the disk. Gonidial tubercles white. Stomach-wall
marked with alternate lines of pellucid and opaque white.

Size.

Height of column, when distended, four inches, diameter nearly the
same ; expanse of flower about seven inches.

Locality.

North Sea : deep water.

The acquisition of tlie magnificent animal above de-
scribed, for which I am indebted to the kindness of Mr.
D. Ferguson, of Coutham, not only enables me to augment
tlie genus Bolocera, and at the same time the British Fauna,
with another species, but also makes me better satisfied
with the establishment of such a genus. Equal in dimen-
sions to B. Tucclice, and presenting much in common with
that species, there are peculiarities in this specimen wliich
compel me to consider it specifically distinct. These are
the brilliant hue of the column, its striate surface, the
thinness of the integuments, the much feebler sulcation
and constriction of the tentacles, and the rings of positive
colour which adorn them, together with their power of
complete retractation. All these characters make the pre-
sent species a decidedly nearer approximation to Tealia.
Indeed, when fully expanded, so remarkable is the resem-
blance in form, size, and colour, to a fine T. crassicornis, that
I have little doubt the reason of its having been liitherto
overlooked, is that it has been passed over as that fiimiliar
species. Yet tlie minute warts, the (really though slightly)
constricted and furrowed tentacles, and the non-retractility
of the margin, determine its place in this genus.

The nobleness of its tout enscmhle, and especially the

APPENDIX.

353

rings on its many fingers, suggested to me a specific appel-
lation, in allusion to old Rome’s coxcomb chivalry, -whose
gold rings were no less characteristic than their valour.

My friend informs me that the specimen was procured
on the 17th of December, 1858, in twenty-eight fathoms’
water, about ten miles east of the mouth of the Tees. The
fisherman who obtained it (a careful collector) had never
seen one like it, though he had been very familiar with
T. crassicornis, from the circumstance of some hundreds of
specimens having been sent to Mr. Teale, from Redcar,
when that gentleman was engaged in his important re-
searches into its anatomy. It lived upwards of three weeks
with its first possessor, and after that a fortnight with me.

The gTeater portion of this latter period it passed in
a large tank, where it attached itself, expanded and dilated
most gorgeously, presenting a grandeur of beauty which all
who beheld it could scarce sufficiently admire. But for
a few days before its death it loosed the hold of its base,
and began to rupture the integuments, displaying the cras-
peda. Then the stomach-wall protruded, at first in a vesi-
cular manner, and then by the inordinate recession of the
lip, so that the plicate and corrugated stomach occupied
the whole place of the disk- Then the tentacles lost their
power of distension, and resumed their flaccid and con-
tracted condition, when the longitudinal sulci became
again conspicuous. And so the illustrious stranger died.

I subsequently received another specimen from Banff, in
every respect like the former. It survived but ten days.

Tuedim.

EQUES.

T. crassicornis.

/

A A

354

APPENDIX.

11.

SPECIES DESCRIBED AS BRITISH, BUT WHICH I AM NOT ABLE
TO APPORTION TO THEIR TRUE PLACE, FROM THE LACK
OF PERSONAL ACQUAINTANCE WITH THEM.

Alderi (Cocks). “ Body cylindrical, hyaline, smooth ; numerous grass-
green longitudinal striae ; tentacles twelve, short, obtuse, with a continu-
ation of the green line on the posterior sm’face of each. Disk and mouth
crimson, the latter marked with eight spots of same colour, but much
darker; edge of disk entire; suctorials minute, numerous, imbedded.”
Deep water, off Falmouth.

Pellucida (Cocks). “ Body cylindrical, smooth, opalescent ; numerous
white longitudinal grooves ; suctorials minute ; tentacles short, filiform,
transparent, plain ; mouth small ; disk circular, flat, crossed by opaque
white lines ; edge entire.” Falmouth.

Yarfellii (Cocks). “ Body conoid, hyaline, with twenty-four longitu-
dinal semi-opaque white striae ; suctorials numerous, minute, imbedded.
Three rows of tentacles, short, obtuse (rather clavate), spotted all over
with white. The ovarian filaments, &c. distinctly seen through the trans-
parent tunics.” Falmouth.

Bella (Cocks). “ Body cylindrical, hyaline, spotted with yellow ;
twelve longitudinal opaque white striae ; mouth bright orange-red ; two
yellow patches extending from the angle on each side to the base of the
tentacles ; tentacles twenty, long, filiform, dotted anteriorly, and tipped,
with yellow.” Falmouth.

Z/astota (Wright). “Base .adherent to rock; not exceeding column. Column
smooth ; height about equal to breadth (one inch). Disk hollow, hardly
equalling diameter of column. Tentacles numerous ; in five or si.x rows,
set close to m.argin ; nearly equal ; very conical and short ; thickly
crowded. Mouth set on a cone ; lip tumid, furrowed. Column and disk
sienna-brown, or salmon colour. Tentacles light brown, with two white
bars across the base, tip slightly white or translucent. Lips orange or
brick-red.” Berehaven, Co. Cork.

N.B. The above five species seem all referrible to that group of the
genus Sagartia, which I have provisionally named TJwe. '

Intestinal^ (Fabric.). “ Body cylindrical, the upper half suddenly con-
tracted and narrow.” — “ When contracted, the body seems like two broad
rings, of nearly equal breadth, and about half an inch in diameter ; when
expanded to nearly two inches, the body consists of two cylindrical por-
tions of different dimensions, smooth, pellucid, yellowish ; a few longi-
tudinal white streaks ; disk not expanded ; tentacles about eighteen,
filiform, in two rows.” (Fleming.) Shetland.

APPENDIX.

355

III.

ADDENDA.

Sagartia hellis. The Act. Joknstoni of Mr. Cocks is a variety of this
species ; two specimens have come under my notice.

miniata. A friend (^E. TI^ II. II.) thinks that the Act. elegans of

Dalyell is this species (see supra, p. 100). If so, my name must give place
to his.

ornaia. I have taken this at Torquay. It has been also found

at Mizen Head, and sent me from Banff. The markings are true to the
description, and leave no doubt of its distinctness as a species.

pallida. Sent me in some numbers from Banff. A consider-
able colony has also been found at Torquay.

coccinea. Abundant in deep water, Torbay.

parasitica. Found, at Jersey, between tide-marks.

Phellia gausapata. I have since seen numerous specimens ; the species
is quite distinct from P. murocincta. A very large specimen has been
taken from deep water in Torbay.

picta. Other specimens have been sent me from Banff. The epi-
dermis is very thin and deciduous ; and altogether the species seems inter-
mediate between the true Phellice and such Sagartice as coccinea.

A damsia palliata. Some interesting facts concerning this species and
its connexion with the Hermit-crab will be found in a paper of mine,
“ On the Transfer of Adamsia palliata from Shell to Shell,” published in
the Zoologist for June, 1859.

SphenotrocJius Macandrewanus. This has occurred more abundantly
than the text seems to imply. Both Dr. Cocks and Mr. Alder inform me
of having seen numerous specimens, chiefly from the Cornish coast ; and
the latter has kindly presented me with two specimens.

Wrightii. Dr. Wright has sent me a fifth specimen from the same

bank as the other four, differing considerably in form from all.

Lopholielia prol i/era. I have omitted to mention a fine British specimen,
preserved in the Museum of Newcastle ; and another mentioned by Lands-
borough, from Barra, one of the Hebrides.

Bcdanophyllia regia. Two living specimens have been dredged in Ply-
mouth Sound, by Mr. T. H. Stewart of the Roy. Coll. Surg.

356

APPENDIX.

IV.

GEOGEAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

In the following attempt to distribute onr Sea- Anemones
geographically, I divide the whole British Coast into ten
provinces, thus (somewhat arbitrarily) defined.

1. The Shetland, including the Orkneys, and Scotland as far as
Kinnaird’s Head.

2. The North Sea, including the coast from Kinnaird’s Head to Spurn
Head.

3. The Eastei'n ; from the Humber to the Thames, a flat low .shore.

4. The South-east; from the Foreland to St. Alban’s Head; chiefly
chalk cliffs.

5. The Devonian; from St. Alban’s to St. David’s Head; a rugged
rocky coast.

6. The Irish Sea, to the Mull of Cantyre, including Man, and the Irish
shore.

7. The Hebridean, from Cantyre to the Orkneys.

8. The South Irish, from Carusore Point to Mizen Head.

9. The Atlantic, from Mizen Head to Eathliu Island.

10. The Channel Islands.

A glance at the table will show that the Devonian dis-
trict is by far the richest in species, including two-thirds of
the whole. Next in fecundity to this extreme south comes
the extreme north, numbering, however, less than two-
thirds of the Devonian total. The Irish Sea, the Atlantic
coast of Ireland, and the Channel Isles, each claims about
two-thirds of the Shetland total. The province of the North
Sea holds about two-thirds of this last number ; and then
come in succession the South-east, the Eastern, and Soutli
Irish, and finally the Hebridean.

These numbers represent, of course, the state of our
knowledge rather than the fact. I look for additions in
the Devonian province, and far more in the Shetland and
Hebridean, of which last I know almost nothing. The
Atlantic province will doubtless be farther enriched, and
that of the Channel Isles. But I do not look for many
species to be added to the North Sea ; and few if any to
the Eastern and South-eastern provinces ; — mud and chalk
being essentially ungenial to Sea-anemones.

crassioornis
? tuberciilata
Margaritae .
Churchi® .

? spectabilis
Scoticus
Mitchcllii .
hastata (Pe.)
undata . .
triphylla .

? cylindrica.
chrysanthell.
microps . .

i callimorpha
carnea . .

? Beautempsii
; albida . .

li arcticus . .
i[ prolifers. .

I Durotrix .

regia . . .

|. f interstincta
Total 75

.10

-1-

Uj7;n

51 20

-

2^0

21 22

ZSO

J/:.

Jji/

>37

358

APPENDIX.

V.

NAMES OF AUTHORITIES

A.B. a

Miss Church.

A. M. M.

Mrs. Murray Menzies.

A.R. '

Mr. A. Robertson.

C.K.

Rev. Charles King.sley.

C. W. P.

Mr. Chas. W. Peach.

D. B.

Miss Barnie.

D. F.

Mr. D. Ferguson.

D. L.

Rev. David Land.sborough.

D. Jt.

Mr. David Robertson.

E. C. B.

Mr. E. C. HolwelL

E. F.

I’rofessor Edward Forbes.

E. L. W.

Mr. E. L. Williams, Juu.

E. P. W.

Dr. E. Perceval Wright.

E.W.H.H.

Mr. E. W. H. Holdsworth.

F. U. W.

Mr. F. H. West.

F. L. C.

Rev. F. L. Currie.

F. N. B.

Mr. F. N. Brodei’ick.

G.B.

Mr. G. Barlee.

a a H.

Dr. G. C. Hyndman.

0. B.

Dr. G. Dansey.

0. D. (B.)

Professor Dickie.

(1 0.

Mr. G. Gatehouse.

0. G. (F.)

Mr. G. Guyon.

G. U. L.

Mr. G. H. Lewes.

G. J.

Dr. George Johnston.

G.J.A.

Professor Allman.

G. T.

Rev. George Tugwell.

B. B. D.

Rev. H. H. Dombrain.

B. 0.

Mr. H. Owen.

J. A.

Mr. Joshua Alder.

J. a.

Dr. John Coldstream.

J. a G.

Miss Gloag.

EXPRESSED BY INITIALS.

/. D. B.

(A misprint for T. D. H.)

J. G.

Rev. James Guillemard.

J. G. D.

Sir John G. Dalyell.

J. M.

Mr. James Macdonald.

J. M. J.

Mr. J. M. Jones.

J. P.

Mr. J. Pi-ice.

J. R. G.

Prof. J. Reay Greene.

J. R. M.

Mr. J. R. Mummery.

J. T.

Mr. John Templeton.

J. T. //.

Mr. James T. Hillier.

M. E. G.

Miss Guille.

M. V.

Miss Vigurs.

P. B. G.

Mr. P. H. Gosse.

R. B.

Dr. Robert Ball.

R. C. J.

Prof. R. C. Jordan.

R. B.

Mr. R. Howse.

R. P.

Mr. Robert Patterson.

R. Q. C.

Mr. Richard Q. Couch.

S. B.

Mr. Sydney Hodges.

S. IF.

Mr. S. Whitchurch.

T. D. B.

Dr. Thos. D. Hilton.

T. S. TF.

Dr. T. Strethill Wright,

IF. A. L.

Mr. Wm. Alford Lloyd.

IF. F. S.

Rev. W. F. Short.

W. G.

Rev. Walter Gregor.

IF //.

Rev. Wm. Houghton.

TF M'C.

Mr. W. M'Calla.

11'^, P. C.

Mr. W. P. Cocks.

TF T.

Mr. Wm. Thompson (Bel
fast).

TF T. (TT')

Mr. Wm. Thompson (Wey
mouth).

MAGN I FI ED.

P/ATK XII

I?;

!

~r H^ofsi.DCL

,1 PHELLIA PICTA
r •* ? ZOANTHUS SULCATUS

3 EDWARDSIA CARNEA

4 CARYOPHYI I I A , /

i» Dicirti jc

5 ZOANTHUS ALDERI.

6 HALCAMPA MICROPS

7. ORECORIA FENESTRATA
8 PHELLIA MUROCINCTA

t

r

INDEX.

N.B. The names inclosed within brackets are such as are not adopted in this work.

Acontia, xxii.

Actinia, 174.

ACTINIA D^, 171.

Actinoloba, 11.

Actinopsis, 150, 170.

Adamsia, 124.

Addenda, 355.

Aipta-sia, 151.
albida, 264.

Alderi, 305.

? Alderi, 354.

^Allmanni], 289.

[amacAa], 152.

[Americana], 338.

Anemone, origin of the name of, 14.
Anemone. Cave-dwelling, 88.

Cloak, 125.

Daisy, 27.

Eyed, 84.

Fish-mouth, 57.

Gold-spangled, 119.

Pallid, 78.

Parasitic, 112.

Plumose, 12.

Orange disked, 60.

Ornate, 54.

Rosy, 48.

Sandalled, 73.

Sk;arlet-fringed, 41.
Snakelocked, 105.

Snowy, 66.

Translucent, 82.

Anemones, enemies of, 168.

food of, 103, 164, 193, 272.
voracity of, 215.

A NOT AD A, 336.

[anguicoma], 105.

A.nthea, 159.

ANT HEAD jE, 148.

Abachnactis, 263.
arcticus, 330.

ASTR.EACEA, 8.
augiuta, 283.

[aurantiaca], 12.

I Aubeliania, 282.

! [aurora], 88.

Authorities, Names of, 358.

Balanophtllia, 342.

Ballii, 198.

Bantry Bay, riches of, 64.
[Barleei], 297.

; Base, 1.

Beadlst, 175.

' [Beautempsii], 262.

' Bee, mistake of, 213.

? Bella, 354.
helUs, 27.

[himaculata], 209.

[biserialis], 152.

Bolocera, 185, 351.

[borealis], 310.

Brodricii, 349.

Bcnodes, 189.

BUNODID.E, 183.

callimorpha, 255. ,

[Candida], 73.

Capnea, 279.

CAPNEADJE, 278.

Capstone Hill, 31, 74.
[carciniopados], 125.
carnea, 259.

Carpe^coral, 338.
Caryophtllia, 309.
CARYOPHYLLIACEA, 276.
Cavity, 4.

[cerasam], 175.
cereus, 160.

[Cereus], 205.

Cerianthus, 267.

1 [chiococra], 1 75.

CnRTROEEA, 123.
chrysanlhellum, 247.
chrysosplenium, 119.
Chiirchice, 222.

I Cinclides, xxiii.

I [clavata], 198.

360

INDEX.

Cnidse, xx. xxvii.

Cnidoe, chambered, xxviii.
tangled, xxx.
spiral, xxxi.
globate, xxxii.
cocchiea, 84.

Colour, change of, 180.

Column, 2.

Concealment, instinct of, 212.
[coraUina\, 175.

[coWacm], 209.

Corklet, Walled, 135.

Warted, 140.

Painted, 143.

Latticed, 349.
coronata, 202.

CoRYNACTIS, 288.

Couchii, 152,

Couchii, 297.

Crab, Hermit, 115, 128.

Ci’aspeda, xxi.
a-assicomis, 209.

Crawling, mode of, 81, 164, 253.
Ci’eeplet, Sandy, 297.

Furrowed, 303.

Wrinkled, 305.

[Cribrina], 205.

Crisp-coral, Scarlet, 330.

Crock, 280.

Crookhaven, cavern of, 214.
Cup-Coral, Devonshire, 310.
iloray, 317.

Shetland, 319.

Winged, 321.

[Ctathina], 309.

[cyafhus], 310.

?, cylitidrica 245.

CVLISTA, 123.

Deeplet, 186.

Ringed, 351.
dianthuH, 12.
dlffitata, 206.

Disk, 3.

Division, spontaneous, 19, 46, 66,
86, 110, 168, 291.

Durotrix, 338.

Ecthorreum, xxix.

[e(/u/fs], 160.

Edwardsia, 254.

[ejfoeta}, 112.

Ek^gs, discharge of, 97, 100, 11/,
”225, 314,347,223.

[ eleyaw^, 88.

eque^f 351.^

\eqyAn'i\, 1 / 5.

EUPSA MM I A D^E, 341.
[exploratory, 88.

Eyelet, 146.

[felina\ 209.
fenestrata, 146,

[fiscella], 209.

[Forskallii], 175.

I [fraffacea], 175.

Gapelet, 222.

Gardens of Anemones, 51, 62, 64
68, 71, 164, 214.
gausapafa, 140.
gemniacea, 190.

[.(7e?RJ>iacea], 209.

Geographical distribution, 356.
Germs, discharge of, 101, 132, 139
238, 273,

[glandulosay, 190.

Globehorn, 289.

[graniineay, 175.

Gregoria, 145.

? Greend, 216.

Halcampa, 246.
haxtata, 235.

? haiifata, 354.

[hemisjdicerica], 175.
heterocera, 285.

[Ilolsaticd], 209.

Hoplangia, 337.

Horjiathia, 218.

ichfliystoma, 57.

ILYANTHID.E, 227.

Ilyanthus, 229.

Imperial, Crimson, 283.

Yellow, 285.

? interstincta, 348.

? intestinalis, 354.

[judaicdy, 12.

\lacerata\, 105.

juife, tenacity of, 96, 118.

Lloydii, 268.

Lophohelia, 333.
[LUCERNARIAD.E], 348.

I Macandrewanns, 325.

[Mac A ndrewiy, 330.

[macnlata\ 125.

Margaritic, 219. ,

[margaritifera'], 175.
i [memhrangceusy, 268.

INDEX.

361

[mesembi'yanthemum], 88.
mesemhryanthemum, 175.
METRIDIAD^, 9.
microps, 252.
miniata, 41.

Mitchellii, 232.

Morecambe Bay, 93.

Mouth, 4.
murocincta, 135.

Muzzlet, Arrow, 235.

Trefoil, 2.

Waved, 239.

Necklet, 219.
nivea, 66.

[nodosa], 219.

[Oculina], 333.
OCULINAD^, 332.

Odour, rank, 117.

Opelet, 160.

Organs, reproduction of, 251.
ornata, 54.

\pi'nata], 41.

palliata, 125.
j)allida, 78.

Palythoa], 300.
papillosa], 209.
papillosa], 297.
Paracyathos, 316.
parasitica, 112.
\pedunculata\, 27.

? pellucida, 354.

[pellucida], 82.

Peachia, 234.

Pearlet, Scottish, 230.

Scarlet, 232.
[pentapetala^, 12.

Peribola, xxxiv.

Petit Tor, 31, 68, 136, 260.
Piiellia, 134, 349.
[PhyllangiaJ, 337.
Pimplet, Gem, 190.
Diadem, 202.
Glaucous, 195.
Red-specked, 198.
Piutlet, Sand, 247.

Rock, 252.
picta, 143.

[plumosa\ 12.

Plumose Anemone, 12.

POCILLOPORA, 348.
Poisoning power, xxxvi.
prolifera, 334.
pteropus, 321.

Pterygia, xxx.

Pufflet, painted, 255.

crimson, 259.

[pulcherAma'\, 48. ]
pura, 82.

[p!trp!(?’ea], 176.

reffia, 343.
rosea, 48.

[r«/a], 175.

Sagartia, 25.

subdivision of, 121.
SAGAltTIADAE, 9.
sanguinea, 280.

[SCOLANTHUS], 254.

Scoticus, 230.

SCYPHIA, 123.

Screw, xxix.

[seni7/s], 12.

[senilis , 209.

Septa, xi.
sessilis], 310.

]Sidisia], 300.

Biphonactinia], 236.

Smithii, 310.

Species, what ? 50.

? spectahilis, 226.

Spermatozoa, 99, 225.
[sj)/ta;rofdes], 88.

Sphenotrochus, 323.

Spherules, 180.
sjjhyrodcta, 73.

Sprawlet, 264.

Star-coral, Scaidet and Gold, 343.
Stinging power, 136.

Stomach, protrusion of, 32.
Stomphia, 221.

Strawberry, 177.

Strebla, xxix.

[sulcata], 160.
sulcatus, 303.

Swimming, mode of, 165, 265.
System, tegumentary, x.
muscular, x.

nervous and sensory, xii.
digestive, xiii.
circulatory, xvi.
respiratory, xvi.
reproductive, xix.
teliferous, xx.

[tahella^ 175.

Taxilianus, 317.

Tealia, 205.

[Tejnpletonii\ 27.

Tenby, Caves of, 61, 70, 92.
Tentacles, branching of, 109, 168.

B B

362

INDEX.

Tentacles, 3.

elongation of, 16, 34, 44, 70, 101.
Terms, explanation of, 1.

{Thalia], 195.
tkallia, 195.

Thoe, 122.

Thulensis, 319.

Tide-pools, 31, 62, 68, 162, 344.
Torquay, rocks at, 44.
triphylla, 243.
troglodytes, 88.

Tnimplet, 152.

? tuberculata, 217.

Tucdice, 186.

Tuft-coral, 334.

[Turbinolia], 323.
TURBINOLIADjE, 307.

Uloctathus, 329.

{undata], 105.
v/ndata, 239.

venusta, 60.

? vermiculans, 274.

{verrucosa], 190.

{yestita], 268.

Vestlet, 268.

{viduata], 88.
viduata, 105.

{vinosa], 48.
viridis, 289.

Wartlet, Dahlia, 209.

Marigold, 206.

Watcombe, 32.

Wedge-coral, Smooth-ribbed, 325.
Knotted, 326.

Woolhouse Rocks, 43, 51, 61.
Wrightii, 326.

? Tarrellii, 354,

Young, birth of, 36, 46, 71, 80, 99.
118, 193.

ZOANTHIDjE, 295.
i ZOANTHUS, 296.

ERRATA.

Page 10, line 4 ■jAdd the qualifying phrase "in general," to

Page 11, line 20 [the character that there is but a single

Page 12, second line from bottom .) mouth-angle and pair of tubercles.

Page 13, line 10 for “ Always," read “ generally."

Page 90, line 9 { ^orange^”"’^** tentacle fuU

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET UILL.

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