326 



Descriptive Zoology. 



gullet the free inner edges of these partitions, the mesen- 

 teries, may be seen. 



Digestion in the Sea Anemone. Small animals, such as 

 crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes, which come in contact 

 with the tentacles, are partially paralyzed. They are then 

 drawn into the mouth and passed through the gullet into 

 the digestive cavity below, which may perhaps be called 



FIG. 185. SEA ANEMONE. 



After Emerton. From Kingsley's Zoology. 



the stomach. On the edges of the mesenteries below the 

 gullet are many threadlike projections, called the mesen- 

 terial filaments. These filaments are richly provided with 

 nettle cells, which complete the killing of the prey. The 

 filaments are also furnished with gland cells, which supply 

 the liquid for digesting the food. The liquefied food ma- 

 terial may pass up into all the spaces between the mesen- 



