482 ACTINIA OR SEA-ANEMONE, 



being as a member of the Vegetable Kingdom. The movements 

 it exhibits are not, when superficially considered, very different 

 from those which take place in certain Plants ; and there is 

 nothing ridiculous, therefore, in the appellation given to it by 

 Hughes, who, in his Natural History of Barbadoes (a work pub- 

 lished before the distinctions between the Animal and Vegetable 

 Kingdoms were properly understood), denominates it a sensitive 

 plant having animal properties. 



1123. The Actinice are found on the shores of every sea. As 

 in other tribes, each species has its peculiar haunt. In general, 

 we find them attached to rocks, which are alternately left dry 

 and submerged by the tide. Sometimes, however, the portions 

 which are constantly under water are selected as their habita- 

 tion ; and they may be observed suspending themselves from the 

 vaults of submarine reefs, or covering the sides of rocks as with 

 a tapestry of flowers. Brilliant as are the colours exhibited by 

 the species common on our own shores, when these are illumined 

 by the direct rays of the sun, they are far surpassed by the 

 glowing hues of the tropical Actinije ; and the relative abund- 

 ance of the two is nearly the same. Many voyagers have 

 spoken with enthusiasm of the gorgeous spectacle presented by 

 groups of these animals ; and Le Sueur describes himself as with 

 difficulty withdrawing from the contemplation of it, to collect 

 specimens for examination. 



1124. The Actinice which attach themselves to rocks, some- 

 times adhere so firmly, that they cannot be removed without the 

 laceration of their base. This fleshy disk adapts itself perfectly 

 to the inequalities of the surface ; and even sends down little 

 prolongations into any pits or fissures that may exist in it. 

 There is an interesting species inhabiting the British seas, the 

 Adamsia palliata, which attaches itself to dead shells, forming 

 from its base a kind of horny expansion, that partly extends over 

 their aperture. It has been remarked by Dr. Coldstream, that 

 in all the specimens which came under his notice, a Hermit-Crab 

 had taken up its abode in the shell. It would seem, therefore, 

 as if the addition made by the Actinia rendered the shell pecu- 

 liarly suitable for the habitation of this tenant. Some species of 



