158 NATURAL HISTORY OP 



2. A. EoNDELETii, Be Ch. "The Parasitic Anemone/' 

 Plate XIII. fig. 1. 



Actinia effoeta {Bapjp.), A. parasitica {R. Q. C, D. Z., 

 G. J., Cocks, P. H. G., Ttigwell), Sagartia parasitica 

 {P.H. G.), Calliactis effoeta {Andres). 



Hab. : On shells occupied by Hermit Crab. Guern- 

 sey, Weymouth^ Torquay (P. E.G.), Penzance {B. Q. C.) . 

 Height to 4 in. 



Colour. Dirty white or drab with longitudinal bands 

 of brownish shades. Disc yellowish-white. Tentacles 

 upwards of 500 in seven rows, flesh colour, marked 

 with a dark purple or brown line, broken into about 

 five dashes down each side. Skin coriaceous. 



This anemone is generally parasitic on Pagurus 

 Bernhardus. The advantage of an alliance of this kind 

 has been pointed out by Herr Eisig, who has observed 

 that the anemone is a very valuable protector of the 

 Pagurus from the attacks of the Octopus, the latter 

 instantly retreating on being touched by the stinging 

 organs of the anemone.* 



The acontia are as thick as sewing-cotton, and can 

 be sent out to the extent of 4 — 6 inches. 



This species is known in English works as 8. para- 

 sitica. 



Mr. Gosse states that on handling specimens, a 

 most offensive, " insufferably nauseous " odour is com- 

 municated to the fingers, which " even scrubbings with 

 a brush scarcely avail to remove." It is, however, a 

 favourite object in aquaria, 



• J. R. M. S., vol. iii. (N. S.), 493, August, 1883. 



