270 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



fact which, when coupled with what was said in the 

 preceding chapter respecting the non-digestive powers 

 of these animals, may lead to many interesting specu- 

 lations. 



If you have ever kept Sea- Anemones, or have even 

 paid casual attention to them in the vases of your 

 friends, you must have noticed their remarkable varia- 

 tions in size. The Crassicornis which excited your 

 cupidity by his magnificent proportions, as the eye 

 first beheld him in the rock-pool, has collapsed to a 

 fourth of the size before you have chiselled him off ; 

 and in coUa]3sing he squirted continuous streams of 

 water from his pores and tentacle-tips."'' That Gem, 

 which an hour ago was expanded to the height of an 

 inch, is now a mere button. The ordinary explanation 

 of this phenomenon is that the animal swells itself 

 with water, which it violently ejects on being " irri- 

 tated '' or " alarmed/' But as we are just now looking 

 with scientific seriousness at our animals, we will dis- 

 card all anthropomorphic interpretations, like those 

 which point to " alarm," because they not only confuse 

 the question, but lead to awkward issues ; among 

 others, that the Anemones have highly susceptible 

 souls, as liable to emotions of alarm as a fine lady. 

 When they are in undisturbed quiescence in pool or 

 tank, the same ejection of the water takes place, only 

 mth less rapidity. Their normal condition is that of 



* Those anatomists who still deny the existence of openings at 

 the tips of the tentacles, need only ''irritate" a Crassicornis to be 

 convinced of the fact. 



