ACTINIA. 237 



are covered with water, and even then the passing of a dark 

 cloud over the sun will cause them to fold up their out- 

 spread feelers. And yet, though in substance they seem to be 

 as soft and tender as a little mass of jelly, they are not only 

 very tenacious of life, but very capable of conquering and 

 destroying many of their marine neighbours that would be 

 thought more powerful than they. Sir J. G. Dalyell states, 

 " This is a powerful, fearless, and voracious animal. Having 

 chosen a spot for firm adhesion, it spreads abroad its nu- 

 merous tentacula to the utmost stretch in quest of prey. 

 Nothing can escape their deadly touch. Every animated 

 being that comes in slightest contact, is instantly caught, 

 retained, and mercilessly devoured. Neither strength nor 

 size, nor the resistance of the victim, can daunt the ra- 

 venous captor. It will readily grasp an animal which, if 

 endowed with similar strength, advantage, and resolution, 

 could certainly rend its body asunder. It will endeavour 

 to gorge itself with thrice the quantity of food that its most 

 capacious stomach is capable of receiving. Nothing is 

 refused, provided it be of animal substance. It is in the 

 highest degree carnivorous. Thence do all the varieties of 

 the smaller finny tribes, the fiercest of the Crustacea, the 

 whole vermicular race, leeches, and the softer tenants among 



