192 BUNODIDiE. 



Locality. 



The south-western and southern shores of England and Ireland ; the 

 coasts of Portugal, and of the Mediterranean : on exposed rocks and shallow 

 pools between tide-marks. 



Variety. 



The species is but little subject to variation of form, or of hue, except 

 within the limits mentioned above. Specimens differ a good deal, how- 

 ever, in the intensity and brilliance of the tints. 



The Gem was first discovered, or at least distinctly 

 described, just a century ago, by Gaertner, who found it 

 on the shores of Cornwall ; but it was not till fifteen years 

 afterwards that it received a name. Pennant then called 

 it Actinia verrucosa ; but this appellation has yielded to 

 that of A. gemmacea, which was conferred upon it by 

 Ellis and Solander, and which has been so generally 

 adopted by British zoologists, that it would be pedantic 

 to attempt to restore the original name. Both epithets are 

 appropriate. Pennant's (signifying warty) is, however, 

 rather generic than specific ; while Ellis's, if somewhat 

 more vague, is well fitted to suggest the delicate beauty of 

 this pretty little species, — perhaps unrivalled, among British 

 species, for its painting. The English term by which 

 I designate the genus, alludes to the pimples, or warts, 

 with which the animals are studded. 



It is essentially a littoral species. I am not aware that 

 it has ever been brought up from deep water, nor does it 

 much affect the concealment of holes or crevices. The 

 surfaces of stones, and shallow pools within tide-marks, 

 are the stations it habitually prefers, and it is often found 

 in the latter even when they are but little below the level 

 of high water. It appears to be gregarious ; for, though 

 we do not find individuals crowded together, as is the 

 habit of bellis, a dozen or twenty are often seen occu- 

 pying the shallow basins of an area of rock a yard or two 



