Qjlt i-HILOSOPHlCAL TRANSACTIONS. [anNO 1775. 



to brown at the bottom, passing by imperceptible transitions through a succes- 

 sion of yellow shades, partaking more or less of the colour of gold. This 

 whole robe was speckled with light crimson spots, and no rim appeared at the 

 basis. These anemonies had been found on old volutes, called spindle-shells 

 (fucus brevis.) Another specimen, which was found adhering to an oyster-shell, 

 was of a darker colour ; but its limbs bore some resemblance to the horns of 

 cattle : they were of a pale green, with circles of a fine dark brown, which had 

 a very pleasing effect. These limbs appeared, at first sight, to tend towards the 

 centre, by the continuation of some semicircles which gradually diminished. 



My very earliest observation showed that the sea anemonies feel and prognosti- 

 cate, within doors, the different changes of temperature in the atmosphere. I 

 had not leisure at that time to form tables of their various indications ; but I 

 have since done it. This fact, if applied to practice, might be of use in the 

 formation of a sea barometer, an object of no small importance, which several 

 ingenious men have hitherto endeavoured in vain to furnish us with. I should 

 prefer the anemonies of the 3d species for this purpose, their sensation being 

 very quick ; they are also easily procured, and may be kept without nourish- 

 ment. Five of them may be put in a glass vessel, 4 inches wide and as many 

 in depth, in which they will soon cleave to the angle formed by the sides and 

 the bottom. The water must be renewed every day, and, as they do not require 

 a great quantity of it, as much may be fetched from the sea (if they be kept on 

 land) as will supply them for several days ; its settling some time will only im- 

 prove it. If the anemonies be at any time shut and contracted, I have reason 

 to apprehend an approaching storm ; that is, high winds and a rough agitated 

 sea. When they are all shut, but not remarkably contracted, they forebode a 

 weather somewhat less boisterous, but still attended with gales and a rough sea. 

 If they appear in the least open, or alternately and frequently opening and 

 closing, they indicate a mean state both of winds and waves. When they are 

 quite open, I expect tolerable fine weather and a smooth sea. And lastly, when 

 their bodies are considerably extended, and their limbs divergent, they surely 

 prognosticate fixed fair weather and a very calm sea. There are times when 

 some of the anemonies are open and others shut ; the number must then be 

 consulted ; the question is decided by the majority. The anemonies used as 

 barometers should not be fed, for then the quantity of nourishment might in- 

 fluence their predictions. Anemonies of this and of the first species live and 

 do well for several years, without taking any other food but what they find 

 disseminated in the sea water : but should a respite of some days be granted 

 them, they might then be fed with some pieces of muscles or soft fish, and 

 thus restored to their original vigour. Whenever the vessel is sullied by the 

 sediments of salts, slime, the first shoots of sea-plants, &c. it may, on changing 



