436 ACTINIA OR SEA-ANEMONE- 



that the troublesome substance works its way out through the 

 sides of the body, the artificial aperture soon closing, and the 

 animal appearing to suffer but little inconvenience. In rejecting 

 through its mouth the indigestible substances remaining within, 

 the Actinia seems to draw up the stomach towards the orifice, 

 so as the more completely to expel its contents. Sometimes 

 this muscular action, which is assisted by the compression exer- 

 cised by the general envelope, is carried so far, that the stomach 

 is everted completely turned inside-out through the mouth. 

 This fact is familiar to all, who have watched the habits of these 

 animals on the sea-shore. 



1129. The Sea- Anemone never seems to decline any article 

 of food presented to it, on account of its bulk, but makes the 

 most laudable attempts to swallow it, though occasionally com- 

 pelled to relinquish its vain endeavours, and even to disgorge 

 what it had partially swallowed. Sometimes the process of 

 digestion is going on in the lower part of a mass which has been 

 included in the stomach, whilst the remainder is projecting 

 above the mouth, being gradually drawn inwards. It will hence 

 be seen, that few animals surpass the Actinia in voracity. Never- 

 theless it is capable of fasting for a considerable period ; or, at 

 any rate, of subsisting upon no other nutriment, than the small 

 quantity of animal matter that may be diffused through the sea- 

 water, in which it is kept. It is after such a fast, that the efforts 

 to swallow are most vigorous ; and sometimes an amusing 

 spectacle is presented by the contest of two for the same prey. 



1130. Sea-Anemonies do not seem to exercise any choice in 

 regard to food ; but will swallow whatever is placed within the 

 grasp of their mouth, hot even their own kind being exempt 

 They contract their tentacula and close the mouth, not only 

 when mechanically irritated, but even when any change takes 

 place in the amount of light to which they are exposed. "When 

 fully expanded, and displaying their glowing colours to the mid- 

 day sun, a passing cloud will cause them to fold in their flower- 

 like summits ; and even the shadow of the hand will produce 

 the same effect. The following interesting account of those 

 inhabiting a rock-basin on the shore of Barbadoes, is given by 



