Mr. G. Busk on a Monstrous Oyster Shell. 91 



They vary much in form ; sometimes their bodies are elongated 

 or cylindrical, with the tentacles hanging loosely around in 

 graceful curves, and shortly after the Anemone may stand up a 

 complete Briareus, with arms erect, spread out to search for 

 prey; then, if ever, it would be supposed most likely to sting, 

 but my fingers have often been within its grasp without any such 

 effect. At other times its body is shortened and thick, and the 

 tentacles have undergone the same change. It has the power of 

 wonderfully altering the size and shape of these. They vary in 

 number, though always numerous, and the animal can turn and 

 twist them in any direction. It often curls them round at the 

 points like crooks, sometimes enlarges them like clubs : as in 

 many of the Anemones, the mouth of the Anthea is sometimes 

 pouted. 



The usual colour of this Anemone, as found with us, is — body 

 of a uniform brownish olive, with the tentacles of a gi'ayish 

 colour, having also a longitudinal lighter stripe along the upper 

 surface; sometimes, however, they assume a much gayer tint, 

 and the brown hue of the body becomes more red, almost claret- 

 colour, whilst the tentacles from gi-ay are changed to emerald- 

 green, and adorned with a bright ring of rose-colour at about 

 half-way between their base and extremity. 



It is difficult to account for the changes in the inhabitants of 

 the rocks at very short distances of coast, and under apparently 

 similar circumstances, but a very marked difference there 

 decidedly is : this fact makes me, however, confident of fresh 

 results from fresh researches. Mr. Gosse's book, and the works 

 of other naturalists, prove indeed that there are many species 

 yet unnoticed by us ; there are some probably as yet unseen by 

 any one. I would hope, therefore, that at some future visit 

 more may be done, especially along the limestone portion of the 

 coast, as this was only examined at one spot (Meadfoot Sands, 

 Torquay), and there but very imperfectly. 



Dec. 16th, 1854. 



VIII. — On a Monstrous Oyster Shell. By George Busk, Esq. 



[With a Plate. 1 



To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. 



Gentlemen, Greenwich, July 31, 1854. 



The shell, of which the enclosed drawing (PI. III. B. figs. 1 & 2. 

 nat. size) will give some idea, was picked up, I believe, on the 

 coast of Pembrokeshire. 



It appears to be a very anomalous production, and as I do not 



