172 



5. DeSCRIPTION OF a NeW SpECIES OF ACTINIA FROM THE 



Devonshire Coast. By E. W. H. Holdsworth. 



When contracted, the body forms a rounded button about | of an 

 inch ia diameter, but ia full expausioa it is generally elongated to 

 the extent of 2^ inches, aud terminates ia a somewhat cup-shaped 

 disk about Ii inch wide, and having its extended edges frequeutly 

 thrown into irregular festoons. The tentacula, about 150 in number, 

 are arranged in four or five series, as in most of the group to which 

 this species belongs ; the first row contains twenty-five arms, about 

 half the length of the diameter of the disk, and moderately stout ; 

 the others gradually diminish in siže as they proceed outwards, their 

 numbers at the šame time increasing ; but the irregular manner in 

 which they are placed renders it difficult to enumerate the contents, 

 or to determine the limits of any one of the series. The disk is of a 

 uniform olive-brovvn without any superficial markings, — the appear- 

 ance of radiating lines, sometimes visible, being only the upper edges 

 of the internal septa showing through the transparent skin ; the 

 mouth opens transversely, and displays a regular crenation of its 

 pink lining membrane. The tentacula are of a reddish purple, and 

 entirely destitnte of rings or other marking ; they present a remark- 

 able contrast to the body of the animal, which at its upper part is of 

 a dark orange colour, gradually assuniing a paler tint tovvards the 

 base ; numerous white sucking-pores are disposed over the upper 

 surface, and afford points of attachment to surrounding substances, 

 when reąuired to conceal the body ; they also give exit to the con- 

 voluted filaments, which are abundantly thrown out from them, and 

 the mouth, when the animal is irritated. Its natūrai haunts appear 

 to be narrow crevices of rocks, into which it can retire when alarnied, 

 and I was prevented obtaiuing many specimens by their having 

 chosen such inaccessible hollows for their residence. Four or five 

 examples were, however, procured at extrenie lo\v-water mark, from 

 the very productive rocks outside Dartmouth harbour, and, excepting 

 in size, presented no points of difference. I propose for this species 

 the name of vinosa. 



June 24, 1856. 



Dr. Gray, F.R.S., in the Chair. 



1. On three Genera of Vespertilionid^, Furipterus, 

 Natalus and Hyonycteris, with the Descriptions of 

 TWO New Species. By Robert F. Tomės. 



(Mammalia, PI. XLII., XLIII.). 



The genus Furia was estabUshed by M. F. Cuvier from the exa- 

 mination of a single example taken at Mona in South America, by 

 M. Leschenault. 



