168 
ANTHEAD^. 
nearly black lining, which can be readily pressed out from 
a wound in the tentacle. These granules are very regu- 
larly globular, of a translucent golden-brown hue by trans- 
mitted light, varying in diameter from *0003 to ’0004 inch, 
and are arranged in bead-like rows running transversely. 
This pigment-layer does not give the green hue to the 
tentacle ; for it may be entirely scraped away, leaving the 
interior surface of the tentacle-wall of the same opaque 
emerald-green hue as the exterior. 
This green tint does not appear to be dependent on 
pigment, but on the arrangement of the primary molecules 
of the sarcode ; for when pressed to flatness, it yields no 
transmitted colour, except a very slight yellowish tinge which 
has no distinct location. It presses to a viscid glaire, full 
of amorphous refracting granules, and cnidce. Tlie lip 
exhibits similar phenomena, but the diffused tinge is faintly 
purple. 
The larger Eolides tear away and devour the tentacles of 
Anthea: but I know not of any other animal that can 
venture on attacking it with impunity. I one day saw an 
amusing example of its power of passive resistance. A 
beautiful little specimen of the variety Alahastrma, which 
had been sent me by Mr. Gatehouse, I had occasion to 
remove from one tank to another. There was a half-gi’own 
Bullhead {Cottus hubalis) at the bottom, which liad been 
in captivity rather more than a fortnight. As lie had not 
been fed during that time, I presume he was somewhat 
sharp-set. lie marked tlie Anthea falling, and before it 
could reach the bottom, opened his cavern of a mouth and 
sucked in the honne houche. It was not to his taste, how- 
ever; for as instantly he shot it out again. Kot discou- 
raged, he returned to the attack, and once more sucked it 
in, but with no better success ; for, after a moment’s rolling 
of the morsel around his mouth, out it shot once more; 
