ACTINIAD^E : ILUANTHOS. 243 



colour scored with fainter lines. When fully expanded, the oral 

 ilisk is not less than four inches across : there is a smooth space be- 

 tween the mouth and tentacula, which are very numerous, and 

 placed in several rows around the circumference ; those of the inner 

 row are larger than the others, measuring frequently two inches in 

 length, and they become gradually shorter in the exterior series. 

 They are of a chesnut or reddish flesh-colour, often darker coloured 

 towards the bases, but never variegated with rings of different hues, 

 thick and clumsy, tapered to an obtuse point, marked longitudinally 

 with distinct lines or impressed striae, tubular, perforated at the 

 ends, and constricted at their insertions. The creature has no 

 power of withdrawing them within the oral aperture, nor does it 

 seem capable even of shortening them in any considerable degree, 

 but it twists them in a wreathed or spiral form, or gives the whole 

 circle a greater or less degree of expansion. 



The trivial name which I have bestowed on this species is in- 

 tended to indicate the place of its first discovery, Tuedia being, 

 according to Sir Robert Sibbald, the ancient name of the maritime 

 parts of Berwickshire. It is not uncommon on that coast, but is 

 found only in deep water, whence it is dragged up by the fishermen. 

 [ have often found the tentacula in a separated state adhering to 

 ;heir lines ; and as these retain their irritability and motion for 

 a long time, they are apt to be mistaken for independent and per- 

 fect worms, which they much resemble. 



32. ILUANTHOS,* Forbes. 



CHARACTER. " Body cylindrical, tapering to a point at its 

 posterior extremity, free ? Tentacula simple, retractile, sur- 

 rounding the mouth.' 1 '' E. Forbes. 



1. I. SCOTICUS. E. Forbes.^f- 



PLATE XLV. FIG. 1, 2. 



Iluanthos scoticus, Forbes in Ann. Nat. Hist. v. 184, pi. 3. W. Thompson in Ann. 

 Nat. Hist. xv. 322. 



* From /Xyj, mud, and v^, a flower. The Isacmaea crystallina, Ehrenb. Corall. 

 p. 33, and the Is. Cleopatrae, Ibid. p. 34, seem to be species of this genus. 



t Edward Forbes, Professor of Botany in King's College, London. In Chambers'* 

 Edinburgh Journ. Nov. 23, 1844, he is described as " a handsome, olive-complexioned 

 youth, with long hair smoothed away to one side." Were he less eminent, or less 

 my friend, his varied endowments and talents might have tempted me to a sketch of 

 bis character and writings. 



R2 



