196 THE SEA. 



But notice the colonies of the smooth anemone or beadlet (Actinia mesembri/antJiemum) 

 clustered about the sides, many of them adhering to the stone walls several feet above the 

 water. Those have been left uncovered for hours, and are none the worse for it. They are 

 closed, the many tentacles being concealed by the involution of the upper part of the body, sa 

 that they look like balls or hemispheres, or semi-ovals of flesh ; or like ripe fruits, so plump- 

 and glossy and succulent and high-coloured, that we are tempted to stretch forth the willing 



SEA ANEMONES. 



1, 2, 3. A. sulcata. 4. Phymactis sanctce Helena:. 5. Actinia capensis. C. A. Peruviana. 



". A. sancke Catheriiue. 8. A. amethystina. 9, 10. Anthea cereus. 



hand to pluck and eat. Some are greengages, some Orleans plums, some magnum-bonums, so 

 varied are their rich hues ; but look beneath the water, and you see them not less numerous, 

 but of quite another guise. These are all widely expanded ; the tentacles are thrown out in an 

 arch over the circumference, leaving a broad flat disc, just like a many-petalled flower of 

 gorgeous hues; indeed, we may fancy that here we see the blossoms and there the ripened fruit. 

 Do not omit, however, to notice the beads of pearly blue that stud the margin all around at 

 the base of the over-arching tentacles. These have been supposed by some to be eyes; the 

 suggestion, however, rests upon no anatomical ground, and is, I am afraid, worthless, though I 

 cannot tell you what purpose they do serve." 



