166 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



Menai Straits {A. 8. P.), &c. Height — large, "with 

 tentacles 3 — 4 in. long, diam. of base to 6 in., of 

 column 2 in. 



Colour, (a) Smaragdina : Column brown, with 

 narrow bands alternately paler and deeper. Disc 

 bi'own. Tentacles green with rosy tips, (b) 8ulphurea: 

 Tentacles pale yellow with lilac tips, (c) Alahastrina: 

 Column and disc olive. Tentacles white, (d) Rustica: 

 Brown. Tentacles grey, (e) Punicea : Tentacles ma- 

 hogany-red. 



In shape this species has been likened to a dice-box. 

 The margin is crenate. The tentacles are about 180 

 in four rows. They are very long and snake-like. 



The animal may be easily kept in captivity, and, 

 from the absence of strong muscular contraction, forms 

 a good subject for dissection. It is, however, credited 

 with the power of causing unpleasant sensations if 

 touched by the hand, especially if the Anthea be un- 

 healthy or suffering from long confinement. 



The French occasionally eat this species, especially 

 in Provence. Mr. Gosse says that he has tried the 

 dish, and "would not dare to say that an Opelet is as 

 good as an Omelet ; but chaciin a son gout." 



Sub-family IV. Bunodid^, Gosse. 



ActinincB having the column studded with persistent 

 well-developed warts or tubercles, and without marginal 

 spherules or acontia. — Gosse. 



Genus I. Bunodes, Gosse. {^ovvdi>ST]<;, studded with 

 prominences.) 

 Body wall studded with numerous permanent rounded 

 warts (papillae), set in vertical lines corresponding with 



