84 BY THE DEEP SEA. 



unnecessary to tell yoti that we have the best guarantee 

 of success when we imitate Nature as closely as possible. 

 Anemones in a state of Nature do not often get a chance of 

 raw beef, except when a bullock has been washed overboard 

 from a ship and comes in a very inflated and " gamey " condi- 

 tion, begging the Coastguard to bury it decently. 



If oysters or mussels can be obtained where you are stay- 

 ing, give Anemones tiny pieces uncooked ; or a piece out of 

 the side of a young sole or plaice. Do not give them fish that 

 is all hard muscle, for they cannot readily digest it. They 

 require so very little to eat, that we may easily select that 

 little from a fish that is known to be easily digestible. 



Here, too, let me warn you against a misapprehension that 

 may cause you to be much concerned about the supposed lack 

 of appetite in your pets. The nutriment they extract from 

 their food appears to be entirely of a fluid character; they 

 suck the juices from it, and having done so completely, what 

 remains becomes pearly white, and having been wrapped in a 

 thick transparent glair e, is thrust out by the way it entered. 



Now this excrement is of a very objectionable character, 

 and if allowed to remain for a short time will infect the whole 

 of the water in the vessel, and begin to destroy all the life 

 therein : so it must be removed at once. Persons who have 

 had no previous experience in keeping Anemones, suppose 

 that the individual fed had no appetite, and had rejected his 

 food without change. 



The ordinary rectangular aquarium is very suitable for the 

 reception of the Anemones, and a special piece of rock should 

 be selected from one of the rock-pools to serve them as a 

 residence. This stone should not cover more than half the 

 floor space of the tank ; and it should be very irregular as 

 regards its surface, pitted with holes and recesses into which 

 the more retiring species may partially withdraw their columns. 

 If no suitable piece can be found readily, then one must be 

 made by means of the cold-chisel and hammer. Look out a 



