546 THE PURPLE ANEMONE. 



selves, and expand their tentacula in order to catch 

 their prey. 



These animals are destitute of eyes, yet they 

 were always very evidently affected by light. If a 

 candle was held over the glasses in which they were 

 kept, and at such a d stance as not to communicate 

 any heat, they regularly closed, and did not again 

 expand till the light was removed. When, however, 

 they had been plentifully fed, they closed much 

 slower, or sometimes even remained open. 



When the Sea Anemones are boiled in water they 

 acquire a firm consistence, and become a very 

 palatable food. Cats are remarkably fond of them 

 when thus cooked. Their smell is not unlike that 

 of a warm crab or lobster. 



Among other experiments of the abbe Dicque- 

 maire, he gave to two Actinia? of different species 

 (a grey and a yellow one) a narrow slice of fish, so 

 laid that each had hold of an end. The yellow one, 

 however, happened to seize the larger share. Each 

 swallowed on by its respective end, till at length 

 their mouths came in contact. The grey one seem- 

 ed at first to get the better ; but the other soon re- 

 covered its share, lost it again, and again recovered 

 it. These alternate victories lasted about three hours, 

 till at last, the grey one losing its hold, the other ob- 

 tained the prize. This sucked it in but slowly, and the 

 grey one again ventured its mouth upon a last tug 

 at the end still within reach: but the effort proved 

 fruitless ; the yellow companion gave a final pull, 

 and swallowed the whole. During this contention, 

 both the creatures seemed animated by consider* 



