PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED. 165 



Nothing, says Mr. Tugwell, is so grateful to the 

 Actinia, so salubrious and invigorating, as frequent 

 and abundant supplies of fresh sea-water. It is infi- 

 nitely enfeebled, and at length the adhesive power 

 becomes lost, by remaining in what is unchanged for 

 months. But, although pining away to a tenth of 

 its natural size, and remaining pertinaciously con- 

 tracted by neglect, it speedily expands again on re- 

 ceiving a fresh supply from the sea, and gradually 

 recovers its pristine beauty and vigour. The size and 

 appearance of the Actinia may be therefore considered 

 as absolutely dependent on the supply of renovated 

 element, on sustenance and heat. In common with 

 most soft-bodied animals, it contracts during cold 

 weather, and expands under a genial temperature. 

 Farther than this, there is no reason to admit its 

 susceptibility of atmospherical or meteorological in- 

 fluence far less, that it prognosticates changes to 

 ensue. 



The skin of these zoophytes is cast very often, 

 especially after feeding greedily, as well as from con- 

 tinued abstinence. This exuviation extends in some 

 species to the tentacula, the skin coming off from 

 them in rings or belts. In the natural state, the 

 Actinia is freed of the slough by the washing of the 

 waves, but in confinement the body becomes encircled 

 as with a girdle. This should be cut asunder with 

 scissors, or brushed off by means of a feather, which 

 will induce the expansion and promote the beauty of 

 the specimen. All putrescent matter, or excess of 

 food or rejecta of the Actiniae, should be carefully re- 

 moved, as the noxious gaseous compounds generated 



