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BUNODIDiE. 
Locality. 
The south-western and southern shores of England and Ireland ; the 
coasts of Portugiil, and of the Mediterranean : on exposed rocks and shallow 
pools between tide-marks. 
Variety. 
The species is but little subject to variation of form, or of hue, except 
within the limits mentioned above. Specimens differ a good deal, how- 
ever, in the intensity and brilliance of the tints. 
The Gem Avas first discovered, or at least distinctly 
described, just a century ago, by Gacrtner, who found it 
on the shores of Cornwall ; but it was not till fifteen years 
afterwards that it received a name. Pennant then called 
it Actinia verrucosa ; but this appellation has yielded to 
that of A. gemmacea, Avhich Avas conferred upon it by 
Ellis and Solander, and which has been so generally 
adopted by British zoologists, that it Avould be pedantic 
to attempt to restore the original name. Both epithets are 
appropriate. Pennant’s (signifying warty) is, however, 
rather generic than specific; Avliile Ellis’s, if someAvhat 
more vague, is well fitted to suggest the delicate beauty of 
this pretty little species, — perhaps unrivalled, among British 
species, for its yamting. The English term by which 
I designate the genus, alludes to the pimples, or warts, 
Avith Avhich the animals are studded. 
It is essentially a littoral species. I am not aAvarc that 
it has ever been brought up from deep water, nor does it 
much affect the concealment of holes or crevices. The 
surfaces of stones, and shalloAV pools Avithin tide-marks, 
are the stations it habitually prefers, and it is often found 
in the latter even when they are but little beloAV the level 
of high Avater. It appears to be gregarious ; for, though 
Ave do not find individuals croAAuled together, as is the 
habit of hellis, a dozen or twenty arc often seen occu- 
pying the shalloAV basins of an area of rock a yard or two 
