224 ZOOPHYTES. 



the next in the second and fourth. Yet, there may be, in fact, only three 

 rows, as is more probable, for it is not easy to determine parts, propor- 

 tions, and positions, liable to incessant modification and change. These 

 organs are comparatively short, stout, and very obtuse, more so than those 

 of any other species I am acquainted with. — Plate XL VIII. fig. 1. In 

 some, which I cannot remove from the species, they are longer, more slen- 

 der and delicate, and that especially, as I have thought, in specimens of 

 uniform colour. Numerous tubercular prominences, in perpendicular 

 rows, resembling low blisters, with an adhesive faculty, cover the skin of 

 larger specimens, which are thence profusely invested by grains of sand, 

 fragments of shells, and the like. 



No species is equally diversified in colour and aspect. Red is usually 

 predominant : It is so among nine-tenths of the other kinds, and sometimes 

 universal of a specimen. The surface of many is variegated red and white, 

 like a rose ; or with orange, green, and yellow intermixed. One occurred 

 almost totally white ; another wholly primrose-yellow, with scanty trans- 

 verse red streaks, interspersed around the lower portion ; the base, of dull 

 yellowish-brown ; and a reddish patch was on the upper part of the dis- 

 tended tentacula. In numerous specimens these organs are red, belted 

 with pale colour, almost white ; and the base is occasionally finely varie- 

 gated. It may be truly affirmed, that the diversities baffle enumeration 

 and description. 



This Actinia is often a beautiful, though a coarse looking animal. 



The skin is not cast in nearly the same quantities as by the mesem- 

 bryanthemum. But eversion of the stomach is not uncommon. It seems 

 incident to the species. A large specimen sometimes distends itself 

 with water : eversion of the stomach soon follows, after which the animal 

 generally dies without recovering its natural form. 



Numerous spiral white filaments are seen near the bottom of the 

 stomach, the use of which is not sufficiently understood. They seem tubu- 

 lar, but having seen an instance of one, in particular, protruding and 

 spreading up the side of a glass vessel, until expanded as a thin membrane, 

 an inch broad, probably the tubular appearance is derived from approxi- 

 mation of the edges. 



