156 SEA-SIDE STUDIES, 



the Anemone is cut open ; these are called the convoluted 

 hands, and to thcni attention is particularly directed. If 

 the reader will now look at the diagram given in Plate III, 

 fig. 1 (wrong in several details), and also fig. 2, which is an 

 accurate section, and shows a portion of the stomach, the 

 convoluted bands, and under them the ovaries — he will have 

 a tolerably accurate conception of the general structure of an 

 Actinia. 



Having given a rough outline of the principal characters 

 of the Actinia's internal structure, sufficient to render intel- 

 ligible what will hereafter be referred to, I must direct the 

 student anxious for more precise details, to the 3Ic^moire 

 by M. Hollard,* as the latest and best anatomical essay ; 

 noticing, by the way, that there still remains to be wiitten a 

 comparative anatomy of the various Actiniae, some of which 

 difter in important characters from the others. In the 

 Anthea, for example, the tentacles are filled with round 

 yellow-bro\ra globules, which make them incapable of being 

 retracted imder normal conditions ; and the same is notice- 

 able in the two horn-like tentacles in Actinia bellis. 

 AVhat are these globules ? There are several other points 

 of difference to be noted, Init I content myself ^vith indi- 

 cating the desideratum of a careful comparison, to complete 

 our knowledge of the anatomy of this genus. Meanwhile let 

 us endeavour to form some distinct conception of the mode 

 of Reproduction exhibited by the Actiniae. 



Certain general facts must be borne in mind. First, let 

 me call attention to the fact that in all animals, the highest 



* Annates des Sciences, 1851. 



