THE CAVE-DWELLING ANEMONE. 
95 
contraction and approximation of the column around tlic 
retracted base ; and we proved its power of basal adhesion 
in the speeimen which came into my possession ; for it not 
only attaehed itself by the entire broad base to the saucer — 
and that repeatedly after having been removed — but during 
the night marched several inches to seek shelter under a 
shell. What had appeared to be an epidermis was nothing 
but a ring of exuviated mucus, which was readily removed, 
bringing away all the dirt, and leaving a clean smooth 
Sagartia. The tentacle-feet displayed the B-mark, and 
there seemed little to distinguish it from the normal 
colouring, except the dingy drab hue of the column. 
A specimen of the var. fulvicornis, in my possession, 
when disturbed, assumed a globular form, with the base 
contracted to one-sixth of an inch in diameter, and became 
very buoyant. It thus strongly reminded me of Mr. 
Iloldswor th ’ s sph CBro 'ides. 
It seems the habit of the species to be very free ; and 
this tendency more especially marks the mud-loving kinds 
with a pale drab exterior. It is a common thing for one 
of these to lie for weeks in a tank rolling loosely about 
the bottom, alternately contracting and stretching its 
column, and folding or expanding its tentacles at pleasure, 
apparently quite healthy, and yet showing no inclination to 
choose a settled residence. I have had many examples 
with this habit, which, by and by, having sown their wild 
oats, suddenly fix themselves, give up their vagrant ways, 
and become sober housekeepers. Mr. Iloldsworth writes 
me of one which, after six months’ captivity, has not yet 
attached itself, but wanders about, like a restless spirit 
without a home.” 
The suckers are in this species very adhesive ; and in 
this vagabond condition it is not rare for the Anemone to 
moor itself temporarily, not by the base, but by these 
