204 



ANTHOZOA HELIAA T THOIDA. 



Fig. 43. 



its expanded base, and when taken, its tentacula were retracted. 

 The body presented the appearance of a lengthened cylinder arising 

 from a broad-spreading inflated base, and terminating in a round 

 tentaculiferous disc, in the centre of which is a circular mouth. 

 The tentacula are very short, and have the aspect of squared tuber- 

 cles. They are arranged in three circles, sixteen in each circle, 

 those of the outermost or marginal row largest. Below the tenta- 

 cula and surrounding the disc is a granulated calycine circle or 

 belt; and a little below it, extending 

 downwards over a portion of the base, 

 the body is invested by a woolly, brown 

 epidermis, which is eight-cleft or lobed 

 at its upper part. The base is somewhat 

 lobed, and usually swelled out with sea- 

 water. The body and base are of a 

 vivid vermilion colour, the latter with 

 darker longitudinal stripes. The tenta- 

 cula are somewhat paler and inclined to 

 orange. They can be drawn within the 

 body, the upper part of which can be 

 retracted as low as the commencement 

 of the epidermis. When fully expand- 

 ed, this animal was an inch in height by one-fourth of an inch 

 broad at the disc. It is rather an active creature, changing its form 

 often, but always presenting more or less of a tubular shape, like a 

 chimney -crock or steam-boat funnel. (Fig. 43.) 



" The shape of the tentacula and the presence of a regular epi- 

 dermis are the most remarkable features of this Actinea, and distin- 

 guish it at once from all its tribe. Its general form and calycine 

 rim approach to the Actinea bellis and some other species appertain- 

 ing to the genus Actinocereus of Blainville. The epidermis and the 

 imperforate tentacula separate it from Ehrenberg's restricted genus 

 Actinea, and the absence of dermal pores from his Cribrina ; neither 

 of which divisions, as defined by that naturalist, I am inclined to 

 admit, and therein agree with my friend Dr. Johnston. It is more 

 nearly related to the Zoanthidce than any known species of its 

 family, and presents a most interesting transition from the typical 

 Actiniadce to that tribe. The regular form of the singular epider- 

 mis would lead us to consider that appendage as an imperfect tube, 

 and some curious analogies might result from such a view. Both 

 the number of the tentacula and of the clefts or lobes of the epider- 



