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hidden under fragments of rock between the tide marks, or in the 

 possession of a luxuriant pool. It may be known by the following 

 characters : body conoid, or wider at the base than above ; skin 

 opaque, coriaceous, or leathery, covered with warts, variously coloured, 

 but usually dull red ; tentacula numerous, in three or four series, and, 

 when expanded, marked with rings. The other species, A. crassicornis, 

 although commonly found attached to shells or stones in deep water, 

 may often be obtained in rock crevices, at low water during the 

 spring tides, or even in the large pools. It may be procured at 

 Corriegills, or among the rocks at the south-east side of Holy 

 Island. It resembles A. coriacea in shape ; but it is a finer species ; 

 it grows to a larger size, it is less coriaceous, and more vivid in its 

 colours. It is a handsome object for the aqua-vivarium, where, after 

 a short period, it will be observed that the body becomes filled with 

 water, so as to be greatly enlarged and diaphanous, or almost trans- 

 parent; the tentacula, at the same time, are elongated, increase 

 their diameter, and exhibit their tubular form. This diaphanous 

 appearance is perhaps the most striking character by which it is dis- 

 tinguished from A. coriacea. It will add considerably to the interest 

 of the vivarium provided the tank can afford accommodation if 

 three or four individuals of this fine species are placed artistically 

 among the rock- work ; for, by a careful selection, specimens may be 

 introduced of variegated hues, some of cream colour, some of scarlet, 

 some of saffron, with orange stripes, or marbled with red and white. 

 There are, indeed, certain people who entertain other ideas as to the 

 proper destination of Actinia crassicornis. " For, of all kinds of sea 

 anemones," says Dicquemare,* " I would prefer this for the table; 

 being boiled some time in sea water, they acquire a firm and palat- 

 able consistence, and may then 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." But whatever importance the epicure may 

 attach to the above information, the sea-side visitor will do well to 

 watch the manoeuvres by which the anemones are themselves enabled 

 to gratify their tastes by a variety of dishes. It is most amusing to 

 observe the apparent cleverness the agility and artifice exercised by 

 these curious creatures for the capture of their food. "On one 

 occasion," says Mr. Couch, " while watching a specimen (A. coriacea) 

 that was covered merely by a rim of water, a bee, wandering near, 

 darted through the water to the mouth of the animal, evidently 

 mistaking the creature for a flower, and, though it struggled a great 

 * Johnston's British Zoophytes, vol. L, p. 227. 



