THE CCELENTEEATES 143 



The general form of this genus is that of an expanded flower 

 on a short column ; the name Beadlet is applied on account of 

 the little bead-like projections on the margin of the disc. The 

 tentacles number nearly two hundred in a fully grown individual, 

 and are arranged in several rows ; but when the animal is disturbed 

 and the tentacles retracted, its form is almost hemispherical. 



It is interesting to note that A. mesembryanthemum not only 

 exists in varieties distinguished by distinct colours, but that the 

 same individual will sometimes change its tint, as may be observed 

 when it is kept in the aquarium ; and it may be mentioned, by the 

 way, that it is very easily reared in captivity, either in the natural 

 or the artificial salt water, for not only may the same individuals 

 be kept alive for years with only a moderate amount of attention, 

 but their offspring may be reared without difficulty. 



On Plate II. (fig. 8) are two illustrations of the beautiful 

 Actinoloba dianthus, which grows to a length of five or six inches, 

 and is easily distinguished by its expanded and frilled disc, its very 

 numerous short and slender tentacles, and its tall, pillar-like body. 

 Its colour is somewhat variable, being either salmon, flesh-colour, 

 cream, white, red, orange, or brownish ; but whatever be the tint 

 of the body and tentacles, the margin of the mouth is always red 

 or orange. When young it may easily be mistaken for another 

 species, as its disc is not then frilled, and the tentacles are much 

 fewer in number. 



This pretty anemone usually inhabits deep water, and is 

 frequently brought in, attached to shells and stones, by trawlers, 

 but it may be commonly observed in the dark crevices of rocks, a 

 little above low-water mark, where it is usually seen contracted 

 into a ball, or even so much flattened that it looks like a mere 

 pulpy incrustation of the rock. It is very common on the rocky 

 coasts of Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall, as well as in many parts of 

 Scotland and Ireland. 



Like the Beadlet, it is easily kept alive in the aquarium, where 

 it commonly multiplies by natural division ; but as it does not 

 generally expand in full daylight, its beauty is often better observed 

 at night by artificial light. 



On Plate II. (fig. 5) we have an illustration of the beautiful 

 Dahlia Wartlet (Tealia crassicornis), which may be readily recog- 

 nised by its thick, banded, horn-like tentacles, and the numerous 

 little adhesive warts that almost cover the surface of its body. 



This species is as abundant as it is beautiful, for it is to be 



