Mk(>^). Tltompson wi,Jfqr04 Vtilcarm. 385 



cai'nivorous, as I can testify having seen a Pectenopercularis in 

 the stomach of Solaster papposa, the edges of the oral disc being 

 so tightly drawn over it, that I could not get the Pecten out 

 without tearing the Solaster, this, by the by, shaking my faith 

 in the opinion of some naturalists, that the Starfish seizes its 

 prey by everting the stomach. I have also seen Cyprea europaa 

 in the stomach of Palmipes membranaceus. Many others of our 

 most showy Testacea are carnivorous, and they must be cared 

 for J others, no doubt, live on minute Entomostraca and other 

 bodies constantly floating in the ocean. Many, if not all of the 

 Annelides, are carnivorous (in the extended use of the word as 

 contradisti^guished to vegetable feeders), as also are the Holo- 

 thuries ; it is clear then that their food will sooner or later require, 

 in a confined place, to be replenished, especially if you wish 

 them to breed. It is my opinion this might be managed by 

 introducing the different species of Talitra, which are very 

 prolific, and I believe, feed on decaying weed and decaying 

 animal matter ; I know they very soon clear all the muscles from 

 a dead fish ; they might thus be turned to account as scavengers. 

 If the balance between the carnivora and their prey is not kept 

 up by this means, it is clear the tank would soon be depopulated. 

 With respect to Actinia they are easily satisfied, a Muscle or 

 Pecten now and then is all that A. crassicoymis or A. coriacea 

 require ; as to A. dianthus I have kept one for two months in a 

 pan quite alone; it has not fed the whole time, for three weeks 

 of that time the water was not changed, neither were any plants 

 placed with it. For six weeks I have kept Actinia clavata (mihi) 

 in a pomatum pot in the same state, and it is now as lively as 

 when taken. With respect to the safe carriage of specimens, I 

 am of opinion the better method of packing them is in damp 

 Fucus serratus : this will apply to the greater number ; many we 

 know must be moved in water, and I am confident I shall 

 succeed in a plan I am about to try, for sending fish by rail 

 alive ; and I do not despair of seeing the lovely Wrasse family, 

 located under the paternal care of Mr. Mitchell, with other fish 

 equally interesting, but less beautiful, adorning the Vivaria, by 

 which the ingenuity of man and his knowledge of chemistry have 

 enabled many a scientific person to observe, and many a casual 

 observer to see some few of the treasures of the ocean, and to 

 point out to the inhabitant of inland towns, that the ocean has 

 her gems and her flowers equal to the earth, and even stars in 

 her depths. And now I would suggest a word or two to those 

 who manage places of public resort where Marine Vivaria are, or 

 are about to be established. Many of the animals and some of 

 the plants will be but partially seen in the tanks, and there is 

 one all but insurmountable difficulty m naming them, so as that 

 the unscientific observer may be enabled to identify them, as the 



