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Some Rare and Interesting Sea Anemones from 



Plymouth. 



By 



Chas. L. Walton and Olwen M. Rees, B.Sc, 



University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. 

 With Figures 1 and 2 in the Text. 



The anemones described in the following pages were collected by Mr.. 

 J. H. Orton, and forwarded for examination. 



I. Edwardsia timida, Quatrefages. 



Quatrefages obtained his specimens at Chausey, Manche, N. France,, 

 and his descriptions of E. timida and E. harassi as new species appeared 

 in 1842 ("Ann. des Sci. Nat." (2), XVIII). G. Y. Dixon obtained eight 

 specimens at Malahide, Co. Dublin, and these he carefully described in 

 1886 (" Proc. Koy. Dublin Soc"). He also united Quatrefages' two species 

 as E. timida. In 1889 A. C. Haddon supported Dixon's opinions and 

 identification, gave a good figure of the mesenterial muscle characters, 

 and contrasted these with three other British species (" Proc. Roy. Dublin 

 Soc"). 



Through the kindness of Dr. E. J. Allen and Mr. J. H. Orton, B.Sc, 

 we have been able to examine and identify a specimen from Plymouth 

 Sound, obtained May 22nd, 1912. This specimen was examined when 

 alive, when killed expanded, and also anatomically by means of trans- 

 verse sections. 



Size. — Measurements during life were difiicult to obtain as the Anemone 

 was very timid and remained buried in sand, only expanding the ten- 

 tacular crown at the surface. The latter was 12 mm. in diameter. 

 When killed in an expanded condition, the total length was 41 mm. ; 

 length of capitulum 9 mm., diameter 3-5; diameter of scapus 4 mm. 



Form. — ^Physa not large, and when partially invected showed eight 

 well-marked divisions ; no attached sand grains. Scapus elongate,, 

 cylindrical, tapering below and somewhat inflated at the summit, 

 covered by a thin coat of mucus and a number of attached sand grains ; . 

 body- wall slightly wrinkled transversely and divided into eight regions. 



