BEHAVIOR OF SEA-ANEMONES. 28 I 



not to have been able to test the sensory behavior of these 

 species. 



The only other aspects of behavior which have been observed 

 are those of feeding, and the very variable reactions concerned in 

 tube-building. 



Concerning the former my first experiments were made several 

 years since. At that time I tested their feeding propensities by 

 trying in various ways to induce them to take food. At various 

 times during their aquarium life I tried to feed the creatures with 

 bits of crab meat, bits of fish, clam, etc., but in no case was I 

 able to induce the creatures to take the bait. During the pres- 

 ent summer I observed that specimens of Eloactis which had been 

 dug up and placed in a pail along with specimens of Balanoglossus 

 were found devouring the latter alive. This was so unlike the 

 former behavior that one was tempted to wonder whether they 

 might have peculiarities of diet, and that their habitat on these 

 sand flats, where likewise Balanoglossus has its home, might 

 sustain some relation thereto. I therefore repeated the former 

 experiment of offering them shreds of crab and fish meat and 

 with the same negative results. I then tested them again with 

 the Balanoglossns and found that it was taken quite readily by 

 the same specimens which had refused the other bait. Leaving 

 them for several days they were again tested with the same foods 

 and with the same negative results. Having no specimens of 

 Balanoglossns at hand some annelids, Hydroides, were offered 

 them alive, and they were readily taken by three out of four 

 tested. 



No further qualitative tests were made along this line, but it 

 would seem as if they were rather partial as to feeding habits, and 

 particularly as to whether it be living or otherwise. 



Limited tests were made as to their reaction to such substances 

 as blood of crabs, clams, etc., but there seemed hardly any defi- 

 nite reactions indicative of olfactory, or gustatory sensibility. 

 The swallowing reaction of Eloactis is much as in other species 

 of actinians, namely that it consists largely of oral efforts. The 

 tentacles play but little part in the reaction, though serving to 

 press the food down upon the oral margins or lips. The swal- 

 lowing act in these creatures involves something of a peristalsis of 



