148 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



1. A. DiANTHUS, Ellis. "The Plumose Anemone." 

 Plate XII. fig. 1. 



Actinia diantlius (Ellis, E.and 8., G.J., Dal., P.H. G., 

 D. L., B. Q. C, Aid., Tagwell), A. senilis (Linn., LamTc.), 

 A. Judaica [Linn., Lamk.), A. plumosa {Midi., Be Bl., 

 Stew., Lamk., G. J.), A. pentapetala {Pennant), Sagartia 

 diantlius (P. H. G.), Actinia aurantiaca (Jordan). 



Hab. : Very generally distributed on rocks, &c., in 

 deep water, and between tide-marks. Southport, 

 Puffin Island (A. 8. P.). Height to 6 in. when fully 

 extended. 



Colours^ brown, red, yellow, white. 



This is the only British species of this genus^ and its 

 specific characters maybe gathered from the generic ones. 

 It is the most beautiful of all the anemones^ and when 

 fully expanded in a column 5 or 6 in. high and 2 or 3 

 broad, surmounted by a parapet which encircles the body 

 like a moulding, and terminating in a disc divided into 

 lobes, and perfectly fringed with tentacles, of a pure 

 white, or fawn, or cream, or orange, or pink colour, as 

 the variety may be, it forms an object of conspicuous 

 interest and beauty. No one who has once seen it so 

 expanded, can ever forget it ; and as it is always a pro- 

 minent object in public aquaria, no one need want an 

 opportunity of seeing it. Its colour varies as stated, 

 and is generally pure, but whatever shade the disc and 

 body take, the lips are nearly always orange-red. Mr. 

 Gosse classifies the varieties according to colours, (a) 

 Brunnea, applied to those of the various shades of 

 brown ; (b) Buhida, those of any tint of red ; (c) fiava, 

 yellow, rare; (d) 8indonea, pure white. A. diantlius is 

 a very hardy species, and may be kept in confinement 

 for a long time. Mr. Mcintosh (St. Andrew^s Fauna) 



