CHAPTER IV. 



ORDER ACTINOIDEA. 



19. The minute zoophytes, hitherto considered, constitute, along 

 with corallines, the mosses of the coral landscape ; while the Acti- 

 noidea are the larger plants and shrubs. Among the species of this 

 group, the solitary Actinias, from their size, form, and frequently bril- 

 liant colouring, may be called the Asters, Carnations, and Ane- 

 monies,* of the sub-marine garden. The Tubipores and Alcyonia 

 form literally its pink-beds. Here and there the scene is decorated 

 with clusters of tinted twigs or rushes, sometimes, fancifully shaped 

 into fans and coral network ; these are the Melitseas and Gorgonise. 

 The Madrepores are crowded around in turfy clumps and miniature 

 trees in bloom, or imitate spreading leaves and gracefully-shaped 

 vases filled with flowers ; while Astreas build up, among the shrub- 

 bery, large domes, embellished with green and purple blossoms stud- 

 ding the surface like gems. 



Words, however extravagant they may appear, convey no exagge- 

 rated impression; for Fancy's work could not be more strangely beau- 

 tiful. While wondering at the grandeur of the results proceeding from 

 means so small, the ocean-island reared by coral polyps, we are also 

 led to contemplate and adore the wisdom and goodness of Him who 

 createth, in mingling such beauty in all his works. 



Among the animals which produce these varied results, we find 

 a great uniformity of structure, as already exhibited in the few gene- 

 ral remarks on the Actinoidea (§ 3). The common Actinia is a type 

 of a large class of them, and we may commence our observations on 

 the Actinoid polyps by a concise account of the structure and habits 

 of these animals. This will lead the way to a description of some 



* Sea-anemone is the common name applied to the Actinia. 



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