224i APPENDIX. 



PLATE VI. 



COEALS AND SeA AnEMONES. 



Actinia mesembryanthemum. PI. VI. Jig. 1 a. 



This common species is more frequently met with 

 than many others, because it prefers shallow water, 

 and often lives high up among rocks which are only 

 covered by the sea at very high tide ; so that the 

 creature can, if it will, spend but a short portion of 

 its time immersed. When uncovered by the tide, 

 it gathers up its leathery tunic, and presents the 

 appearance of fig. 1 a. When under water it may 

 often be seen expanding its flower-like disk and 

 moving its feelers in search of food. These feelers 

 have a certain power of adhesion, and any not too 

 vigorous animals which they touch are easily drawn 

 towards the centre and swallowed. Around the 

 margin of the tunic are seen peeping out between the 

 tentacles certain bright blue globules looking very 



