138 
SAGARTIAD.E. 
In both this and the preceding genus we find a remark- 
able development of the epidermic layer ; in Adamsia from 
the base, to enlarge its support, — in PhelUa from the 
column, to thicken its investing coat. 
The investment is, as I have intimated, a tightly-adhering 
epidermic layer, but free at the upper part, which stands 
up as a thin, clear, firm tube, when the animal retreats. Its 
substance is strong and tenacious, yet portions of it can 
be torn away in shreds with a needle. These, under 
a power of 600 diameters, show, in the clear parts, a 
structureless membrane, which has a slightly fibrous 
appearance, apparently only because of its foldings and 
■wrinkles. The greater part is rendered opaque by the 
foreign matters entangled in it, consisting largely of irre- 
“ Anemone” throughout, employing an epithet to discriminate the families 
from each other, a second epithet to discriminate the genera of each 
family, and a third epithet for each species? “The Anemone:” “the 
Warty Anemone “the Lined Warty Anemone “the Glaucous Lined 
tVarty Anemone.” This ■would be an available mode, but would it not be 
rei>ulsive and lumbering? Again, I might make new words — arbitrary 
aggregations of vowels and consonants , — “ Farson,” “ Toler,” — words, if 
words they might be called, without an etymology, and without a meaning. 
I do not think this would be generally acceptable, though I might plead 
precedent in scientific technology, — “ Rocinela,” “ Conilera,” &c. for 
example. 
A celebrated Greek orator is said to have coined only three words in the 
whole course of his professional eloquence ; and, for the comfort of those 
who should attempt the same again, it is added that the Athenian public 
refused to swallow these. Yet it is much easier to make a Greek word 
than an English one. I manuhicture “ Aiptasia ” an:l “Bolocera” boldly; 
yet it is not without mi.strust that I see “ Ti’umplet” and “ Opelet” on my 
pages. 
In this dilemma, since the words must be made, I have thought that 
they ought to be formed according to certain conditions. First, thej' 
should be Saxon : “ Ilyanth,” “ Lucemary,” “ Cyathine,” are no more 
English than if they retained their classical terminations. Secondly, they 
should be significant : the new word should aid the memory, not tax it. 
Thirdly, they should be consimilar in structure, since they are intended to 
designate consimilar objects. Fourthly, they .should not, if possible, 
exceed a dissyllabic length. 
According to these rules, I have ventured to construct a series of verna- 
cular names for the genera. Allowing “ Anemone ” to stand for Sagartia, 
I have formed for each of the others a dissyllable, Saxon in origin, sug- 
gestive of some prominent character, and ha'ving a common termination, 
— viz. the English diminutive “ -let,” from lit, little. In accordance with 
this plan. Plumelet may stand as the English repi’esentative of Actinoloha, 
and Cloaklet of Adamsia. 
