76 sagartiad^e. 



least rendered it highly probable, that the normal con- 

 dition is to have the disk of a yellow hue, more or less 

 deep, the white variety being nothing more than the 

 albinism to which organic colours so often tend. The 

 term " Candida" therefore, became inappropriate as a 

 nomen triviale ; and I have sought one which should 

 express a more unvarying character. The word " sphy- 

 rodeta" signifies sandalled, from <r<f)dpa, the ankles, and 

 Sew, to bind ; and alludes, as I need scarcely say, to the 

 line which, like a narrow ribbon, encircles the tentacle-foot. 

 That the white disk marks a degenerated condition is 

 rendered more probable by some facts that have come 

 under Mr. Holdsworth's observation, and, in part, also 

 under my own. A specimen obtained by that gentleman 

 at Dartmouth was at first of a rich chrome-yellow over the 

 whole disk ; but after having been some time in captivity, 

 it gradually faded to a sort of dull cream- white ; in this 

 condition, my friend submitted it to my care for a few 

 days, during which time it quickly resumed its brilliant 

 face. Another individual, which I think Mr. Holdsworth 

 brought from Guernsey, fell into a like condition. Writing 

 of this, he observes, " The animal has been out of sorts, 

 and I have been obliged to administer to it several 

 draughts (of pure sea-water), which have nearly set it to 

 rights again. The beautiful colour of the disk, however, 

 has nearly vanished, but some traces of it are still to be 

 seen around the mouth. When I first had it, the colour 

 was very conspicuous." 



The Sandalled Anemone is an interesting little captive. 

 It expands its flower-face with great readiness ; rarely 

 remaining long closed, provided the surrounding water 

 be pure. The large conical tentacles stretch out hori- 

 zontally to their utmost, like a star ; and though, on being 

 touched, it will partially contract, it unfolds the instant 



