STRUCTURE OF ANTHOZOA : - SEA- ANEMONE. 



133 



cavities around the stomach, which are destined to pre- 

 pare the generative products. In fig. 73, we have a repre- 

 sentation of the Sea- Anemone, as seen from above ; showing 

 its mouth in the centre, surrounded by its numerous radi- 

 ating tentacula ; these are often brightly coloured, and give to 

 the animal the appearance of a beautiful flower. In fig. 74, a 

 similar animal is represented, cut open to show its interior. 



Fig. 73. SEA-ANEMONE, seen Fig. 74. SECTION OF SEA-ANEMONE. 



from above. a, cavity of stomach; b, surrounding 



chambers. 



The mouth is seen to open into a rounded stomach, a, which 

 has no other orifice outwards ; and round this stomach there is 

 a series of radiating membranous partitions, which divide the 

 space intervening between it and the outer covering of the 

 body into numerous chambers, b. Within these chambers, and 

 attached to their partition- walls, are found the bodies which 

 are commonly designated ovaries, but which contain sperm- 

 cells or germ-cells according to the sex. It is doubtful 

 whether these two products are ever formed by the same 

 individual, as they are in the Hydra. The Sea- Anemone does 

 not usually multiply itself by budding, though some species- 

 do so ; but large numbers of young are produced from the 

 eggs, which are fertilized and partly developed whilst still 

 within the ovarian chambers, and these make their way into- 

 the stomach through an aperture at its deepest point, and 

 finally escape by the mouth. 



127. The Sea- Anemone itself, like the Hydra, is a solitary 

 animal, capable of shifting its place at will; and it forms no 

 stony skeleton or support. But there are other animals of the 

 same general structure, which have the power of depositing 

 stony matter in the membrane of their base or foot, and in 

 the membranous partitions between the chambers ; and this 

 stony deposit forms a Coral or Madrepore, such as is shown 



