OF SEA-ANEMONES. 79 



dogged determination which nothing but frequent 

 applications of fresh sea-water can remove. When 

 in a state of freedom, unlike other species, he 

 chooses the sides and summits of rocks which are 

 totally deserted by the tide at low water, and remains 

 obstinately contracted while the sun shines down 

 upon him, and dries him up into a ball of purple 

 slime ; sometimes he is to be found in a current of 

 running water, and then he partially opens, and ap- 

 pears to enjoy himself, but seems to take little 

 trouble to place himself in such favourable situa- 

 tions. He will remain closed, in captivity, for days 

 or weeks, and give no other signs of vitality beyond 

 a regular secretion of a coat of mucus, which will 

 need careful removal in order to maintain the purity 

 of the water. A douche bath of water, and of air 

 and water, applied b}^ means of the s^^inge, will be 

 found of great use in preserving him in a state of 

 health and activity. It is a good plan to keep this 

 species in a vessel by itself in order to apply these 

 vigorous measures without disturbing the more deli- 

 cate kinds. 



The distinctive characters or dispositions of the 

 various species of anemones are very curious, and 

 well worthy of observation. It is well known that 

 no two dogs or horses are alike, either in expression 

 of countenance or in the character whence the ex- 

 pression originates. A shepherd can recognise each 

 of his flock by its features, and in the breediug- 



