4-74 Zoological Notices* 



corrections or omissions in the present communication that 

 you think proper. I am, &c. J. B. Harvey. 



Teignmoutk, Aug. 1. 1837. 



During the last four years, I have constantly kept a variety 

 of zoophytes alive in china basins filled with sea-water, 

 and placed in a room with a southern aspect. In one large 

 basin I have had several Actiniae for nearly six months. It 

 is very interesting to observe their powers of contraction and 

 expansion. I have one large one (which is usually about 

 2 in. in diameter, and 1 in. in height), which can elongate 

 itself nearly 6 in., and spread out its circle of feelers on the 

 top. It can contract or expand its circumference and height 

 into a variety of shapes and sizes. Sometimes its membra- 

 nous stomach is expanded, and thrown over the whole body, 

 (being turned inside out,) giving it the appearance of a 

 hydatid ; at others, its feelers are beautifully radiated, like a 

 star, or like the petals of a flower, and cover a circle of 6 or 

 7 inches in diameter. It is during the night that the actions of 

 these zoophytes are best seen : this I have also very frequently 

 observed in the Madrepora Caryophillia, a large specimen of 

 which I have kept alive nearly five years. The other day, 

 while I was turning over the feelers of one of the Actiniae, I 

 observed a small red substance, about the size of a pin's head, 

 drop from the mouth : this, on examination, I found to be a 

 young polypus, perfectly formed. I have, since that time, 

 had seven others produced, but from different specimens ; 

 which I intend, if possible, to keep alive, in order to examine 

 them from time to time, to ascertain their growth, &c. The 

 only difference between them and the parent specimens con- 

 sisted in the number of feelers, and in their size. Some of 

 the young ones had 12, others 8, and two only 6, feelers: 

 they appeared extremely simple in their formation. ( Jrg, 54.) 

 This mode of production agrees with Cu- 54 



vier's description. He states that the 

 young are hatched in the ovaries, and 3gj 

 ejected from the mouth perfectly formed. ^^ 

 It is rather singular that these polypi, whose voluntary powers 

 appear limited to contraction and expansion, should be able 

 to distinguish between a small animal of their own species, 

 and a fly, a barnacle, a limpet, or a portion of an oyster : 

 the first it ejects from the mouth, the latter are instantly 

 seized and devoured. The animal of the Madrepora Cary- 

 ophillia Smith * is an Actinia in every respect ; its outer 

 covering, instead of being a thick coat of skin, is formed 

 * Caryophyllia Smithii, Zool. Journal, vol. iii. p. 486. plate 13. — Ed. 



