SEA-ANEMONES. 133 



closed, covered with sand and mud, it is hardly pos- 

 sible to conceive any objects more repulsive as an 

 article of food. Yet " in tropical countries they are 

 much used for this purpose; and a beautiful species, 

 with crimson tentacles, which is abundant on the 

 shores of the Mediterranean, is a favourite dish of 

 Italian epicures. Our common Purple Sea-anemone 

 (or Crassicornis) is said by the Abbe Dicquemare 

 to be preferable to any other for table. " Being 

 boiled in sea water," says this writer, " these polypes 

 acquire a firm and palatable consistence, and then 

 may be eaten with any kind of sauce. They are of 

 an inviting appearance, of a light, shivering texture, 

 and of a soft white and reddish hue. Their smell is 

 not unlike that of a warm Crab or Lobster." Eugh ! 

 I shudder to think of having such a a dainty dish" 

 set before me, and being compelled to partake of 

 it ! Ah ! if the good Abbe had known anything of 

 Finnon Haddocks or Kippered Herrings, he would 

 not have written thus. At all events, I agree with 

 the excellent Dr Landsborough, that, while we can 

 get such fish as these out of the sea, we shall willingly 

 let the most tempting of our Actiniae bloom unscathed 

 in all their beauty. 



