THE CCELENTEEATES 149 



on parts of the north Devon coast, especially in places between 

 Ilfracombe and Lynton. Like the last species, it may be termed 

 a cave-dweller, for it delights to hide in corners and crevices that 

 are so overhung with rocks and weeds that the light is never 

 strong. 



Yet another species of this genus (S. rosed) is depicted in 

 Plate III., fig. 8. It has been termed the Eosy Anemone, from the 

 brilliant rosy tint of its numerous tentacles. The column is 

 generally of a dull brown colour, with suckers scattered over the 

 upper portion, and the flower reaches a diameter of an inch or 

 more. This anemone may be seen at rest on overhanging rocks 

 near low-.water mark when the tide is out, its disc only partially 

 hidden, and the tips of its bright tentacles just exposed. It may 

 be seen on many parts of the Devon coast, and is, or, at least, 

 was, abundant in localities near Brixham and Shaldon. 



On the same plate is an illustration (fig. 7) of one of the most 

 abundant and most interesting of our anemones. It is commonly 

 known as the Opelet, and its scientific name is Antliea cereus. 

 Almost everyone who has done a little collecting on the rocky 

 shores of the south-west of England, or on the shores of Scotland 

 or Ireland, must have seen this species, easily distinguished by its 

 long, slender, smooth tentacles, all of about equal length, and 

 presenting a waxy appearance. These appendages are usually green 

 and tipped with pink, but sometimes pale yellow or red, and are 

 of such a length that they cover a circle of five or six inches. 



This species is decidedly of social disposition, for a number 

 may generally be seen in a cluster, crowded closely together ; and 

 when we see them, as we often do, occupying a little tide pool that 

 contains scarcely sufficient water to enable them to give free play 

 to their tentacles, and exposed for hours to the full blaze of the 

 summer sun, we naturally form the opinion that they ought to 

 require no special care in the indoor aquarium. And this is 

 actually the case, for they thrive well with but little trouble. 



Perhaps the chief interest attached to this anemone is the 

 deadly nature of its grip. The numerous long tentacles have 

 considerable clinging power throughout their length, and their 

 paralysing power is very considerable compared with that of many 

 other species of the same size. Even the human skin is more or 

 less affected by the irritating influence of this species, a sensation 

 approaching to a sting being sometimes produced, and the skin 

 showing visible signs of the injury done. The grip, too, is so 



