SEA- ANEMONES. 109 



seemed rather to pity my ignorance^ and told me that such 

 a thing never occurred. In fact, at that time, I had seen 

 very few Zoophytes, and had never read Johnston. 



The manner in which these long and slender purple- 

 tipped arms coil and recoil, spread themselves out, and feel 

 about for a passing honne hoiiclie, is very amusing. They 

 are exactly like a great number of snakes confined by one 

 extremity and free to move about at the other. Each 

 tentacle is about an inch and a half long in specimens 

 of medium size, although I have seen them considerably 

 longer in fine specimens. They have great power of adhe- 

 sion, easily holding anything they touch. They are said to 

 possess a stinging power, but this does not appear to be 

 well authenticated ; indeed those who have tried them with 

 their fingers have not experienced any sensation, excepting 

 that of adhesion. Antheas are very voracious, and very 

 clever in securing prey. Many a beautiful Prawn in the 

 tanks has fallen a victim to the handy use of their long 

 arms. If but a small part of a limb be but touched by 

 one of them, and the smallest purchase obtained, the other 

 arms soon crowd round to help the first in securing the 

 prey, which is soon entangled among them, and, in spite of 

 all it can do, is drawn irresistibly into the fatal gulf. 



