ACTINIA. 223 



animals are provided with cilia, the specific gravity of both seemed to 

 counteract their exertions in swimming. 



A few corpuscula, alike irregular and mutable, appeared occasionally 

 in the vessel. None could be preserved permanently. 



The parent of these corpuscula, as also of many young, and, among 

 others, of the monster, proving so prolific, survived two years and two 

 months under observation, when it died. 



The young of one of the most beautiful specimens I have ever had, 

 which was about half grown, was of the finest vermilion, equally vivid as 

 itself, and of remarkable size. 



The red becomes duller with age, but I have not observed any adult 

 converted to green. 



Some districts seem to abound more than others with such florid 

 Actinia?. They are found in all parts of Scotland. 



On the whole, I am disposed to view the red Actinia with white 

 tubercles, as a variety of the Mesembryanthemum. 



§ 3. Actinia gemmacea— crassicornis. — Plate XL VIII. Figs. 1, 2. 

 — This is the largest Actinia in the Scotish seas, unless some specimens of 

 the Dianthus or Plumosa, may rival it in size; and it is one of the most 

 abundant. 



Perhaps it appears in equal variety as any other, — so great, indeed, 

 that I doubt whether some of those now named as of the species, mi°b.t 

 not be separated, or at least distinguished as varieties. 



Every different naturalist seems to have given this animal a different 

 name, which is well exposed in Dr Johnston's useful and laborious work. 

 If similar contributions be wanting here, let me repeat, it is because that 

 has been already done so efficiently, and because every thing described is 

 now represented from living specimens. 



The Actinia gemmacea rises at least four inches high, and expands 

 somewhat more between the opposite tips of the tentacula. These have 

 much appearance of distribution in four rows, and of standing there in 

 alternate arrangement, so that of two lines radiating in the same direc- 

 tion from the centre of the disc, one would pass through a tentaculum of 

 the first and third row, to reach the circumference ; and the other through 



