THE (JPELET. 
169 
and now the Bullhead, acknowledging his master, turned 
tail, and darted into a hole on the opposite side of the tank 
in manifest discomfiture. But if yon, my gentle reader, he 
disposed for exploits in gastronomy, do not be alarmed at 
the Bullhead’s failure : only take the precaution to “ cook 
your hare.” Bisso calls this species “ eduUs," and says of 
it, — “ On le mange en friture^' and I can say probatum 
est." No squeamishness of stomach prevents our volatile 
friends, the French, from appreciating its excellence; for 
the dish called Rastegna, which is a great favourite in 
Provence, is mainly prepared from Anthea cereus. I 
would not dare to say that an Opelet is as good as an 
Omelet ; but chacun a son gout y try for yourselves. The 
dish is readily achieved. 
The species not unfrequently increases by spontaneous 
division. I have elsewhere* given the details of a case of 
this sort ; since the publication of which I have received 
from various correspondents accounts of the same pheno- 
menon. The fission begins at the margin of the disk, and 
gradually extends across and downward, until tlie separa- 
tion is complete, when each moiety soon closes and forms 
a perfect animal. It is, perhaps, only another phase of the 
same tendency, that the tentacles are frequently forked. 
Anthea cereus has been observed in tlie following British 
localities ; — 
Jersey, G. G. : Guernsey, E. W. H. 11. : Ilerm, S. W. : 
Ventnor, G. G. ; Weymouth, P.IL G. : Lyme Regis, J. G. : 
Dawlish, R. C. J. : Teignmouth, R. C. J. : Torquay, 
r.ILG.: Falmoutli, W. P. C. : Fowey, C. W.P.: Pen- 
zance, R. Q. C. : Scilly, G. IL L. : Ilfracombe, P. //. G. : 
Tenby, P.H. G.: Holyhead, E. L. IF..* Man, E. II. IF. .• 
Cumbrae, D. R. : Oban, J. C. G. : Ballyholme Bay, IF. T. : 
NeAvcastle (Co. Down), IF. T. : Portrush, E. P. IF. .• Dublin 
* Tenby, a Seaside Holiday, p. 373. 
