CHAPTER VII. 



THE SEA ANEMONE AND MOSS CORALS. 



IT is delightful to visit the shores of the ocean, 

 when the heat of mid-day is past, and the refreshing 

 sea breezes invigorate the frame. Such circum- 

 stances are the last in which the lover of nature can 

 be idle ; for there may be observed beings of which 

 there are countless multitudes, varying in form, 

 character, and habits, all exhibiting the perfections 

 of Him who called them into existence. 



If, for example, in our walk on the sands of the 

 seashore, when the retiring tide has left bare a low 

 cluster of weed-covered rocks, with little pools 

 between, we have an opportunity of observing a 

 species of polyp frequently found there, it will be 

 well to examine the little creature. It is the 

 Actinia ; and from the radiation of its arms, which 

 may be distinctly observed on its upper surface, 

 it has been called the sea anemone, the sea sunflower, 

 as well as other names, indicative of similarity. 



The actinia consists of a soft, fleshy, cylindrical 

 body, attached by its base to the surface of the rock, 

 the opposite extremity having a mouth, surrounded 

 by several rows of arms, which can expand, con- 

 tract, or move about, as may be required. 



The appearance of the actinia is very beautiful 



