130 THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM. 



or in a detestably muddy pool, which, when dis- 

 turbed, seems as if it would never come clear again. 



It is, in consequence, advisable to search for those 

 situated in shallow water, the bottom of which is 

 covered with clean sand. When such a favourable 

 spot is found, take hammer and chisel, and commence 

 operations. Several strokes may be given before any 

 alarm is caused to the Anemone, provided it is not 

 actually touched. No sooner, however, does it feel a 

 palpable vibration, and suspect the object of such dis- 

 turbance, than, spouting up a stream of water, it 

 infolds its blossom, and shrinks to the smallest pos- 

 sible compass. At the same time it tightens its hold 

 of the rock, and is, indeed, often enabled successfully 

 to defy the utmost efforts to dislodge it. 



After a little experience, the zoologist will be able 

 to guess whether he is likely to succeed in getting 

 his prize perfect and entire : if not, let me beg of 

 him not to persevere, but immediately to try some 

 other place, and hope for better fortune. 



The last-mentioned class of Anemones is certainly 

 the most difficult to be captured, from the great 

 length to which they are enabled to elongate their 

 bodies, and thereby fixing themselves to the base of 

 empty Pholas' holes. On the top of such a spot they 

 frequently display their plumes, or perhaps they select 

 a stone buried four or five inches below the surface of 

 the sand. 



I remember on one occasion to have seen a beauti- 

 ful specimen, which I endeavoured to grasp. It, of 



