Glaucus; Or, The Wonders of the Shore

SAGARTIA ANGUICOMA. Pl. V. fig. 3, a, b. This genus has been separated from Actinia on account of its habit of throwing out threads when irritated. Although my specimens often assumed the form represented in fig. 3, Mr. Lloyd informs me that it must have arisen from unhealthiness of condition, its usual habit being to contract into a more flattened form. When fully expanded, its transparent and lengthened tentacles present a beautiful appearance. Fig. 3 a, showing a basal disk, is given for the purpose already described. BALANOPHYLLÆA REGIA. Pl. V. fig. 1. Another species of British madrepore, found by Mr. Gosse at Ilfracombe, and by Mr. Kingsley at Lundy Island. It is smaller than O. Smithii, of a very bright colour, and always covers the upper part of its bony skeleton, in which the plates are differently arranged from those of the smaller species. Fig. 1 shows the tentacles expanded in an unusual degree; 1 a, animal contracted; 1 b, the coral; 1 c, a tentacle enlarged.