220 ZOOPHYTES. 



My reasons for doing so will appear in the course of the narrative. Hav- 

 ing no theories to maintain, I give them freely, for I look no farther than 

 to establish the truths of Nature. We know the wonderful diversity of 

 aspect subsisting throughout the animal world, shewing only the difference 

 of individuals, without subdividing either the genus or the species. 



Therefore, to avoid precipitation, and that the observations of the 

 more skilful may aid the solution of our embarrassments, let the name 

 now given be accepted as provisional ; and let the present paragraph be 

 considered as an appendix to what has been already said of the Actinia. 

 As such, it is an amplification, containing some novelties ; if proving to re- 

 late to another subject, it will stand apart. 



I have not seen any specimen of what is here provisionally denomi- 

 nated the Actinia cerasum, of equal size to those of the species mesem- 

 bryanthemum : and its appearance is always more light and delicate. But 

 mere appearances are so deceptive, and both dimensions and proportions 

 so variable and dependent on accidental causes, that the greater reserve 

 practised in regard to these, the less hazard of error. 



There are some distinctions to be noted. 1. The native Actinia cera- 

 sum is always of fine red colour ; sometimes of the richest and most vivid 

 vermilion. 2. The tubercles, like so many beautiful pearls, are of the 

 purest white. 3. There is no circumferential ring of the base, the under 

 surface of which is itself red. 



When expanded, it resembles a brilliant flower, unfolded to enjoy 

 the sunshine. — Plate XLVI. fig. 1. When contracted, it is like a fine 

 ripe cherry. 



These, I say, are the general features. But, without now entering 

 more particularly on the subject, the analogies are so strong in other 

 points to the mescmbryanthemum, besides some obscurities requiring elu- 

 cidation, as to render it expedient to be content with simple statements. 



A specimen, previously referred to, taken at Blackness Castle, in the 

 year 1805, though often neglected on account of repeated long or neces- 

 sary absence, exhibited corpuscula in the tentacula, and produced young 

 at distant intervals during its survivance, which was nearly six years. — 

 Plate XLVI. fig. 4. 



