150 GENUS ACTINIA, [Nov&mb&P. 



vesicles, very symetrically disposed and joined together,, 

 to which they were attached by a true limaciform foot;^ and 

 I was not astonished to meet, in other animals, with parts 

 of similar conformation. Several species of that genus 

 known under the popular names of Sea-anemonies, Animal- 

 flowers, &c. [Actinia^ Linn. Acakphes, Cuv.) are equally 

 provided, at their base, Avith a disc, composed of small 

 air-bladders. Until lately the Actinise were regarded as 

 altogether littoral;, it is now ascertained that some species 

 are pelagic, and, furnished with the above mentioned or- 

 gans, float freely at the surface of the ocean. 



Before proceeding to the history of the latter^ I will 

 here indicate the different species thai I have observed, in 

 which it appeared evident to me that one could distincdy 

 trace them down to the madrepores. And first, I will 

 mention those that are free, and have the faculty of floating 

 at the surface of the sea. A second species attach them- 

 selves to floating fuci, or other moving bodies. We may 

 see a third travelling slowly at the bottom of bays, adhe- 

 rent to the shell which is tenanted by the Pagiirus or Her- 

 mit Crab. Dredging in the bays of St. Vincent and Bar- 

 badoes I noticed several instances of this kind. Other 

 species, preferring a more solitary life» are attaclied to 

 stones, situate at a certain depth in sand, where the ani- 

 mals retire, and conceal themselves by contraction. 

 Others, again, equaljy solitary, prefer large broken shells, 

 or the cavities of rocks. Others, more social, appear m 

 groups upon; rocks, which, they cover in part, choosing 

 tranquil places, and supporting themselves at a pretty great 

 depth, in order that they may not be incommoded by the 

 waves.^ Others, resembling the preceding, extend their 

 tentacula, so as to appear like flowers, and au-pet^the hot- 



