THE SEA ANEMONE. 85 



filling themselves with water, so as to be nearly of 

 the same specific gravity as their native fluid, suffer 

 themselves to be carried by the current to another 

 spot ; and it has been asserted, that they can turn 

 themselves, and crawl about by means of their 

 tentacles. 



The actinia is very voracious ; it preys on animals 

 with which it might appear to be totally unfit to 

 contend, such as crabs ; and for these it waits with 

 expanded arms, ready to grapple them at the 

 moment of contact. In clear water, it may be 

 watched thus engaged ; and it is curious to observe 

 the wandering crab instantaneously brought within 

 the grasp of these arms and pertinaciously grasped, 

 the arms closing gradually around it, and by their 

 contraction forcing the prey within the mouth, 

 which opens to devour it. It endures, however, 

 long abstinence without apparent inconvenience, 

 though it is probable that the animalcules, which 

 abound in the water, may contribute in some slight 

 degree to its nourishment. Yet it may be preserved 

 in a vessel of sea water, duly changed, for upwards 

 of a year without having visible food ; but woe to the 

 mussel or crab that is offered for its reception ! A 

 crab as large as a hen's egg, or two mussels, shells 

 included, will serve an actinia for a meal. The 

 work of digestion is rapid : in two or three days the 

 shells will be disgorged, not a particle of the soft 

 contents of the prey remaining. 



Mr. Bennett, in his " Wanderings," states a re- 



