102 POPULAR HISTORY OF THE AQUARIUM. 



by a proper organism, excited b}^ the pressure on the tis- 

 sues of the tentacle, but not forced out by the compres- 

 sion of the capsule itself. It is supposed that the adhesive 

 touch of the tentacles resides in these little organs, and 

 that poisonous fluid accompanies the emission of the thread, 

 since the mere contact of a tentacle with any small animal 

 appears at once to paralyze it, however lively it may have 

 been but a moment before.^' 



Sagartia nivea.— (Plate IX. fig. 3, 4.) 



The Snoiv-ivhite Anemone is one of the most exquisite 

 tenants of the sea or the tank. It grows in tidal pools 

 under the weeds. The body is of a yellowish-brown colour, 

 the disc pale, and the tentacles of the purest white. A va- 

 riety occurs, however, in which the outer coating assumes 

 a bright orange complexion, while the disc is chocolate-co- 

 loured, and the tentacles pure wliite. A fine specimen of 

 this variety, seen floating in one of Mr. Lloyd^s Aquaria, 

 presented a splendid object. The specimen was transferred 

 to the gardens of the Zoological Society. 



Sagartia rosea. 

 The Rosy Anemone has the same habit as S. hellis and 



