RADIATES. 335 
cumstances. The animal can close this opening entirely. 
Around this mouth of the animal are arranged rows of 
tentacula, extending out like rays when the mouth is 
open, and giving the creature the appearance of a flower 
with its spread petals. Fig. 265 shows Sea Anemones in 
Fig. 265.—Actinie, or Sea Anemones. 
three different states. The upper one has the mouth 
closed and the tentacles drawn in, and the animal pre- 
sents almost a hemispherical form. The one just below 
on the rock is partly opened ; and another, under the wa- 
ter, is fully expanded, looking like a flower. 
577. The mouth of the Actinia conducts to a stomach 
which may be said to be very large in proportion to the 
~whole body. The office of the tentacles is to catch the 
prey of the animal, and force it into this cavity. Fig. 
266 represents one of these ani- 
mals cut open, showing the stom- 
ach at a. At 6 are certain cavi- 
ties or chambers, which are all 
around the stomach. These 
chambers all communicate with 
each other, and also with the 
tentacles, which are tubular. 
