ACTINIA OR SEA-ANEMONE. 487 



Hughes in his Natural History of the Island. " In the middle 

 of the basin, there is a fixed stone, or rock, which is always 

 under water. Round its side, at different depths, seldom 

 exceeding 18 inches, are seen at all times of the year, issuing 

 out of little holes, certain substances that have the appearance 

 of fine radiated flowers, of a pale yellow, or a bright straw 

 colour, slightly tinged with green, having a circular border of 

 thick-set petals, about the size of, and much resembling, those 

 of a single garden marigold. I have attempted to pluck one of 

 these from the rock, to which they are always fixed, but never 

 could effect it : as soon as my fingers came within two or three 

 inches of it, it would immediately contract close together its 

 yellow border, and shrink back into the hole of the rock ; but 

 if left undisturbed for about four minutes, it would come 

 gradually in sight, expanding, though at first very cautiously, 

 its seeming leaves, till at last it appeared in its former bloom. 

 However, it would again recoil, with a surprising quickness, 

 when I came within a little distance of it. Having tried the 

 same experiment by attempting to touch it with my cane and 

 a slender rod, the effect was the same." This last statement 

 shows a high degree of sensibility to light ; since there is no 

 reason to believe that any special organs of vision are possessed 

 by these animals, which can enable them to see objects in their 

 neighbourhood. They appear also to be, like some plants, very 

 easily influenced by atmospheric changes ; and this, even when 

 kept for some time within-doors. The Abbe Dicquemare, who 

 watched their indications for many years, considered them a 

 most valuable marine barometer ; fine weather being indicated 

 by their expansion, bad weather by their closure, and very 

 boisterous weather by their extreme contraction. 



1131. These movements are not the only ones, however, un- 

 connected with the prehension of food, exhibited by these inter- 

 esting animals. They are observed frequently to distend them- 

 selves with water, so as to attain many times their usual size, 

 the membranes of the body becoming proportionally thinner. 

 This water is not taken in by the mouth alone ; indeed it is 

 doubtful if any enters there under these circumstances ; at any 

 rate, the chief part is introduced through the orifices at the 



