THE EYELET. 147 



which is highly interesting, as presenting a link which 

 connects Sagartia with Actinia. The disk and tentacles 

 are exactly those of mesembryanthemum ; and the texture 

 of the column, and its style of colouring, are such as to 

 give the impression that the most familiar of our Actinioids 

 is before us. Yet, on examination, the perforation of the 

 integument, the presence of acontia, and the absence of 

 spherules, indicate its place among the Sagartiadce. At 

 the same time, its indifference to contact, and its permanent 

 expansion, — for it seems not to have the power of retracting 

 the tentacles, — are peculiarities which ally it to the mem- 

 bers of the following family. 



I have seen but a single specimen, which may be im- 

 mature. The specific and English appellations allude to 

 the perforations of the column-wall, which are very striking. 

 It attaches itself readily by the base ; is constantly swell- 

 ing out part of its body in lobes ; and generally remains 

 widely expanded, with the tentacles arching outwards and 

 downwards. It feeds eagerly, and appears quite hardy in 

 captivity. 



Only locality known — Banff, W. G. 



A. dianthus. 



fenestrata. A. cereus. 



A. mesembryanthemum. 







1.2 



