Glaucus; Or, The Wonders of the Shore

PLATE VI. CORALS AND SEA ANEMONES. ACTINIA MESEMBRYANTHEMUM. Pl. VI. fig. 1 a. THIS common species is more frequently met with than many others, because it prefers shallow water, and often lives high up among rocks which are only covered by the sea at very high tide; so that the creature can, if it will, spend but a short portion of its time immersed. When uncovered by the tide, it gathers up its leathery tunic, and presents the appearance of fig. 1 a. When under water it may often be seen expanding its flower-like disk and moving its feelers in search of food. These feelers have a certain power of adhesion, and any not too vigorous animals which they touch are easily drawn towards the centre and swallowed. Around the margin of the tunic are seen peeping out between the tentacles certain bright blue globules looking very like eyes, but whose purpose is not exactly ascertained. Fig. 1 represents the disk only partially expanded. BUNODES CRASSICORNIS. Pl. VI. fig. 2. This genus of Actinioid zoophytes is distinguished from Actinia proper by the tubercles or warts which stud the outer covering of the animal. In B. gemmacea these warts are arranged symmetrically, so as to give a peculiarly jewelled appearance to the body. Being of a large size, the tentacles of B. crassicornis exhibit in great perfection the adhesive powers produced by the nettling threads which proceed from them. CARYOPHYLLÆA SMITHII. Pl. VI. fig. 3. This figure is to show a whiter variety, with the flesh and tentacles fully expanded.