CHAPTER III 



THE CCELENTERATA 



THIS word is from two Greek terms, and signifies animals 

 with a " hollow interior." This name is applied to the 

 group we now enter upon on account of their structure, 

 which is that of a sack. 



The group includes the sea anemones, the hydroid 

 zoophytes, and jelly-fishes. 



The reader may ask : If " hollow interior " is a definition 

 of the group, why are not the sponges, such as the sack- 

 like Sycandra just described, classed with them ? Well, 

 some authorities do place the sponges in the ccelenterata, 

 but the doctors disagree, and it will be safe to do as T have 

 so far done follow the majority. 



The sea anemones are typical of this group, and for this 

 reason, as well as that of their being the most popularly 

 known, we will give them priority. 



The common name " Anemone " is given them on 

 account of their bearing some outward appearance to the 

 beautiful flower of our gardens with the same name. Our 

 German friends call them " Sea-rosen," sea-roses ; and 

 even our matter-of-fact leaders in science have been put 

 off their guard by beauty, and have termed them the 

 Anthozoa, or flower animals. 



Before we enter into the subject of their appearance, 



habits, and doings we must take a glance at their anatomy ; 



and the young reader will do well to bear in mind that this 



description applies to the corals or coral builders as well 



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