196 ZOOPHYTES. 



the Sea Anemone, the Daisy, the Marigold, the Animal Flower, or by such 

 botanical synonyms as comparison with vegetable efflorescence would justify. 



Neither does the Actinia secrete itself from view, or always linger in 

 submarine caverns, remote from human knowledge. Dispersed along the 

 shores, implanted on naked cliffs, multitudes remain after the tide recedes, 

 often hemispherical, as so much ripening fruit, inviting the touch of the 

 beholder, and as it flows in return, expanding like the most brilliant 

 flowers, to be invigorated by the waters. 



The general nature of the Actinia approaches so nearly to that of the 

 hydra proper, as to induce their incorporation in the same genus, by many 

 naturalists, and it has been often designated a gigantic polypus. Its alliance 

 with the hydrse of the Medusa, previously discussed so much at large, is 

 no less intimate. If, on the whole, the Actinia and the hydra may be 

 separated, it is evident that they should not stand far asunder. They 

 shew numerous analogies in structure and habits, — those unerring guides 

 to kindred or identity. 



It is in habits, however, that the stricter correspondence will be found, 

 for the actual organization of the hydra is not yet sufficiently explained : 

 and the same may be perhaps affirmed, though less decisively, regarding 

 the Actinia. The larger size of the latter adapts it better for exposure of 

 the parts. But I am not ignorant that certain chimerical views are enter- 

 tained regarding the anatomy of both. 



In as far as hitherto established, neither the hydra of the fresh- 

 waters, nor any of the Actiniae of the sea, pass through the same order of 

 metamorphosis as the Hydra tuba to reach the Medusarian state. Though 

 the transitions of the Actinia be sufficiently singular, none have been 

 ascribed to the Polypus, nor is any relation to the race of Medusa? mani- 

 fested by either. Both are believed to be perfect animals, in the form 

 under which they are represented by naturalists. 



Though many analogies shew the reciprocity of nature in the Polypus 

 and Actinia, they are nevertheless distinguished by a noted difference, as 

 will be discovered by those who are enabled to study the history of each 

 in detail. 



In general description, the Actinia consists of a fleshy pillar, spon- 



