148 BULLETIN: MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 
The animal as sketched in the fresh condition by Mr. Agassiz consists 
of a vase- or pitcher-shaped “ flower” surmounting a long stalk, from 
which it is clearly marked off by a broad shallow constriction. The 
outlines are extremely graceful, presenting in front and back views 
(Plate 1) a symmetrical vase-like figure with flaring lips. A side view 
(Plate 2) shows that one margin of the disk is much higher than the 
other, so that in this aspect the upper end of the animal resembles the 
lip of a broad-mouthed pitcher. ‘The disk, when spread by pinning out 
the marginal tentacles, has an oval outline; but in the natural state the 
lateral margins of the disk are folded in symmetrically from either side, 
so as almost to touch at a point a little below the middle of the oval. 
This bending in of the margins of the disk produces at the upper end of 
the animal a sort of eccentric funnel-shaped depression, which, however, 
does not lead to the mouth opening, but to the outside again, at the 
lower margin of the oral disk. The fancied resemblance of the animal 
to a little pitcher, which this side view presents, has suggested the 
specific name adopted, — urceolus. 
In this actinian we may recognize two fairly well marked regions, — 
the “flower” or calyx and the stalk. The former embraces the upper 
part of the column in addition to the disk proper and its appendages ; 
the latter is the remaining part of the column with its swollen base. A 
slight and somewhat oblique constriction, often emphasized by a con- 
spicuous line, indicates, the place of transition from one to the other. 
The oral disk is so modified in form as to bear little resemblance to 
that of Cerianthus. When in preserved specimens the marginal ten 
tacles are pinned out under slight tension, the disk has, as already 
stated, an oval outline, the longitudinal and transverse diameters of 
which in the specimens measured range between 25 mm. (longitudinal) 
by 15 mm, and 38 mm. by 30 mm. The surface of the disk is very 
oblique to the longitudinal axis of the column. The marginal ten- 
tacles are interrupted at the edge of the disk nearest the base. This 
edge I shall, for convenience, designate as posterior, the opposite pole of 
the long axis of the disk anterior. I adopt these designations without 
the intention of advocating now any of the theoretical views concerning 
the broader questions of comparative morphology in Actinozoa, 
The marginal tentacles have a deep carmine color in the living animal, 
becoming in alcohol a dark maroon or claret color; they vary in number 
from 85 to 97. Iam not yet certain that there is an unpaired anterior 
tentacle, as in Cerianthus, but believe it probable that there is, because 
there are usually an uneven number of tentacles, and the method of 
