38 CHANGES or FORM. 



in the former case, clear bluish grey. The tentacles 

 agree with those of the former variety, except that the 

 redness has none of the purple element in it; it is more- 

 over very faint, and is confined to an annular band, ex- 

 tending from the white ring about half-way to the tip. 



The peristomatous disk is of the same rich red as 

 the body; but the part from which the tentacles 

 spring is pale pellucid glaucous, streaked with red. 

 The streaks are convergent towards the centre, and 

 for the most part embrace a tentacle, uniting both, 

 behind and before its base ; which produces a beau- 

 tiful effect. 



The changes of figure in this species when kept in 

 captivity, are remarkably great and rapid. They are 

 evidently effected by the admission of water into any 

 part or the whole at will, and its ejection, or transmission 

 from one part to another. Sometimes it appears vase- 

 like with a small foot, above which there is a strong 

 constriction, the whole of the body above being 

 greatly tumid and diaphanous; then the animal will 

 transmit the contained fluid into the foot, and the 

 constriction is made to pass in quick succession all 

 up the body, until it disappears at the margin of the 

 oral disk, imparting the most curious gradations of 

 form. At others it is greatly lengthened perpendicu- 

 larly, being thick withal, cylindrical with an expanded 

 top, or else with the top rounded, and perhaps the 

 tentacles crowded, and just peeping forth. 



Such then is one of the finest native .examples of 



The zoophyte, 

 That link which binds Prometheus to his rock, 

 The living fibre to insensate matter. 



MONTGOMERY. 



