OBSERVATIONS ON MARINE POLYPES. 17 



fish^ which has been takea within the mantle, and probably into the stomach. 



13th. — Gave each small pieces of fish and Cod liver, and also pieces of 

 the rays or arms of Star-fishes, which have all been taken into the stomach, 

 and apparently digested. Later in the day No. 3 disgorged two pieces of fish, 

 which do not seem to have been in any way affected by their residence in 

 its stomach. A little yellow gelatinous matter was also thrown up along 

 with them. 



Nos. 2 and 3 seem shy of displaying their tentacula during the day; but 

 I have frequently found them finely displayed after dark. It is difficult to 

 count the number of tentacula, but they are probably from one hundred and 

 twenty to one hundred and fifty; they seem to seize every thing that comes 

 within their reach, and to convey it to their mouth; but in doing so they 

 exhibit no activity; the object is brought slowly forward, and slowly engulphed 

 or rejected. The mouth opens towards the object, and enlarges itself to the 

 size necessary for its reception. 



I have lately read some Nos. of Dr. Johnston's work on Zoophytes, and 

 am inclined to think, from the descriptions there given, the species I possess 

 are referable to Actinia coriacea. 



16th. — Changed the water to-day, of which each was very full, and when 

 laid on a dry place gave it out very freely; indeed they seemed incapable 

 of retaining it, for it spouted forth from the mouth, the tentacula, and even 

 through the pores which seemed to open in the mantle. No. 1 disgorged 

 with the water some pieces of Star-fish, which had been in its stomach for 

 some days; they did not seem much altered, but a small piece which has 

 since been thrown out seems to consist of the harder parts only. No. 2 also 

 disgorged a piece of Star-fish to-day; it was half out when observed, and on 

 being touched came very easily away. 



19th. — The pieces of fish and Star-fish which I have from time to time given 

 the Polypes appear to have been disgorged. I cannot say whether or not the 

 animals have been nourished by them: I rather think not. Nos. 2 and 3 

 have repeatedly ejected Limpets, which they had previously swallowed, both 

 in the shell and out of it. No. 1 has taken them frequently into its stomach; 

 it throws up the shell clean in a day or two; the animal of the Limpet is 

 also ejected, but it seems to have undergone some change, as it is thrown 

 out in pieces. I offered a dead Limpet in the shell to it the other day, 

 but it showed an immediate disposition to get rid of it, and by lowering its 

 tentacula allowed it to drop to the bottom of the basin. 



27th. — For the last week the Polypes have appeared to be much in the 

 same state as formerly, except that No. 1 looks scarcely so healthy. I have 

 given them occasionally pieces of fish and Cod liver. The former has generally, 

 if not always, been disgorged; I am not sure if the latter has. No. 3 has 

 been for the most part fully expanded lately, and a singularly beautiful object it 

 is when in this state. On several occasions lately 1 have found Nos. 2 and 

 3 firmly attached to the sides of the basin in which they were kept, the 



VOL. III. • D 



