ITS APPEAEANCE, 183 



into a noble, massive column, from wliicli the fringed 

 disk expands and arclies over on every side, reminding 

 the heholder of a palm-tree. Then again, on some 

 cause of alarm, real or supposed, it will suddenly close, 

 and assume a distended globose appearance, with the 

 oval mouth a little open, and filled with the clustering 

 tentacles. 



In colour the variety, though considerable, is re- 

 stricted to certain limits easily defined. The most 

 beautiful varieties that I have seen are the pure white, 

 and the rich full orange or red-lead ; but the more 

 common states are cream-colom', flesh-colour, pale red, 

 and olive. This last is perhaps the least pleasing hue, 

 but there is considerable variation even here, for in 

 some the tint approaches to a warm umber brown, and 

 in others becomes a dingy, blackish olive. Generally 

 speaking, the hue, whatever it be, is uniform in the 

 same individual ; but I possess specimens of the umber- 

 coloured, in which the tentacles are almost white, 

 imparting a peculiar speckled aspect to the disk; 

 the crenated mouth in these is full orange."^ 



The body is smooth, lubricated with mucus, and 

 perfectly free fi:om sucking glands. It forms at the 

 summit of the column a thick rounded rim, sometimes 

 everted, not in the least crenated, within which a deep 



* Tlie specimen described in tlie Cornish Fauna, iii. 79, referred 

 to by Dr. Johnston as probably belonging to another species, I should 

 suppose to be but a variety similar to the above. The only thing 

 remarkable in it that I see is, that it is said to live *' between tide- 

 marks." [This, however, I have since found to present no difficulty ; 

 since I have found this species abundant at Tenby, between tide- 

 marks ; and Mr. C. W. Peach informs me that such is its habit in the 

 north of Scotland.] {Second Edition.) 



