ACTINIA. 239 



furnished with a projecting spiculum, situated under the 

 skin, sometimes scattered over the whole body, and in other 

 species confined apparently to the tentacula or even their tips. 

 The poison secreted by them is very variable in its power, 

 and this, it is probable, is owing to the different states 

 of the animal at different seasons. From one of the Ray 

 Society publications, we learn that Erdl has ascertained that 

 the stinging organs of Actiniae are much more active in 

 spring, which is the breeding season. Dr. Johnston says, 

 that he has handled our commoner Actinia without expe- 

 riencing more than a slight heat in the fingers, scarcely suf- 

 ficient to draw attention, but in Anthece he states that the 

 activity of the poison is greater. From my own experience, 

 I can say nothing as to this stinging power ; for though I 

 have handled not only the commoner Actinia, but also the 

 larger and less common Anthea, I never felt anything ap- 

 proaching to stinging ; but I never touched a tentaculum 

 without perceiving the tip of it had some prehensile pro- 

 perty, by which it took a slight hold of the skin of the fin- 

 ger, causing a kind of rasping feeling when withdrawn. It 

 may be, however, that the fangs had not fair play with my 

 fingers, if somehow or other they are sting-proof. Quoting 

 again from Mrs. Anne Pratt' s interesting ' Sea-side Chapters;' 



