122 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 128 



was filled with eggs measuring 697 microns in diameter that were 

 clearly visible through the body wall. 



An amazing phenomenon was observed in this anemone. When it 

 was subjected to unfavorable conditions, such as overcrowding in a 

 pan or jar of sea water, it cast out through the mouth a re-formed 

 translucent white inner lining with translucent stubby tentacles, the 

 latter so short that they were mere tubercles. This offspring was 

 somewhat suggestive of a pickled onion, for the lines of the septa 

 were clearly visible through the body wall. If conditions remained 

 adverse, more offspring were cast off, each one becoming smaller than 

 its predecessor. 



That this phenomenon is not limited to laboratory conditions was 

 evidenced by the fact that on August 21, 1948, at a depth of 140 feet, 

 one of these translucent anemones 16 mm. high and 11 mm. in diame- 

 ter was dredged. At the time this was believed to be a new species of 

 an unusual nature, and it was not until the end of the dredging season 

 in 1949 that its true identity became known, but it was then too late 

 for experimental investigation since no more specimens could be 

 dredged. Specimens left overnight in jars with too little water yielded 

 as many as six offspring each, the smallest one being no larger than 

 a pea. On September 2, 1949, there was washed ashore a translucent 

 anemone 21 mm. in diameter in which the basal disk, the mouth, and 

 the tentacles were colored like those of the adults mentioned above 

 although in a somewhat paler version. The tentacles were short and 

 stubby but longer than those of a newly cast offspring. This individ- 

 ual was obviously a cast offspring that had undergone subsequent 

 development. 



Other anemones were common — a. purplish-red, an oyster-white, 

 a lavender form, and some with white base, peach-colored column, 

 and translucent peach tentacles with whitish tips. Two broad, uni- 

 formly lemon-yellow specimens were dredged on August 17, 1949, 

 at 438 feet. Two specimens of Halcampa duodecimcirrafa (Sars) 

 with a muddy white column, white peristomium, and olive-gray ten- 

 tacles were taken, one at 70 feet, the other at Eluitkak Pass. Two 

 other species of burrowing anemones were found. 



Order CERIANTHARIA 



From I to 30 specimens of Cerianthus, possibly horealis Verrill, 

 were taken in hauls from 22 to 132 feet. Since there was considerable 

 variation in the proportion of the diameter to the length, it is possible 

 that two species are represented. 



