74 



ANTHOZOA. 



Fig. 34. 



Fig. 35. 



(164.) The body of an Aetinia> when moderately expanded (fig. 34), 

 is a fleshy cylinder, generally found attached by one extremity to a 

 rock, or some other sub- 

 marine support, whilst the 

 opposite end is surmount- 

 ed by numerous tentacula 

 arranged in several rows 

 around the oral aperture 

 (fig. 35). When these ten- 

 tacula are expanded, they 

 give the animal the appear- 

 ance of a flower, the decep- 

 tion being rendered more 

 striking by the beautiful 

 colours they not unfre- 

 quently assume ; and hence, 

 in all countries, these or- 

 ganisms have been looked 

 upon by the vulgar as sea- 

 flowers, and distinguished by 

 names indicative of the fan- 

 cied resemblance. Their ani- 

 mal nature is, however, soon 

 rendered evident by a little 

 attention to their habits. 

 When expanded at the bot- 

 tom of the shallow pools of 

 salt water left by the re- 

 treating tide, they are seen 

 to manifest a degree of sen- 

 sibility, and power of spon- 

 taneous movement, such as 

 we should little anticipate 

 from their general aspect. 



A cloud veiling the sun will cause their tentacles to fold, as though 

 apprehensive of danger from the passing shadows ; contact, however 

 slight, will make them shrink from the touch ; and if rudely assailed, 

 they completely contract their bodies, so as to take the appearance of a 

 hard coriaceous mass, scarcely distinguishable from the substance to 

 which they are attached. 



(165.) It is in seizing and devouring their prey, however, that the 

 habits of the Actiniae are best exemplified. They will remain for hours 

 with their arms fully expanded and motionless, waiting for any passing 

 animal that chance may place at their disposal, and when the oppor- 

 tunity arrives are not a little remarkable for their voracity and for their 



