434 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ December 1, 1870. 



Their large size, too, and the ample breadth of turf on which 

 they stand, all add to their importance. 



I must not conclude this part of my report without alluding 

 to the renowned Emperor Fountain. From the south front a 



fine vista opens out between masses of lofty trees to some'of 

 the hills in the distance ; in the centre of the space between 

 the treeB up springs this noble fountain, a single jet of 260 feet 

 high forming a glistening cone of falling spray, depending.on 



Conservatory at Chatsworth. 



no statuary nor architectural accessories to add to its effect, 

 but by ita grand simplicity and mighty force alone it dazzles 



and astonishes all who see it.- 

 Buxted, Sussex. 



-Edward Lucehurst, Old Lands-. 



NEW BOOK. 



Sea-side Walks of a Naturalist, with his Children. By the Rev. W. Houghton, &o. Groombridge & Son3. 



This is one of that very useful class of books — popularly 

 written yet accurate — composed by men of science who could 

 write authoritatively on its deep things, yet who can descend to 

 write alluringly for the young, like Faraday, who in the morn- 

 ing was tearing compounds into their elements by the galvanic 

 power, and in the evening rivetting the attention of children 

 by lecturing on a candle. One extract illustrative of Mr. 

 Houghton's style must suffice : — 



" ' Papa,' said May, ' there are some large stones near the 

 water ; do yon not think we might find some Sea Anemones 

 attached to these stones ? ' Off we all scamper, and Jack very 

 soon tells us he has discovered what he thinkB must be a Sea- 

 Anemone. At once I reoognise the animal as a specimen of 

 the common Smooth Anemone (Actinia mesembryanthemum) ; 

 we will wait by this large stone and examine the creature. It 

 is fixed by its broad fleshy base to this bit of rock, its numerous 

 tentacles spread out in the little pool the tide has left; the 



mouth is situated in the centre of the disc. I dare say we can- 

 tempt the creature to use it for our instruction. I will catch a 

 small fish and offer it to the Anemone. See the tentacles 

 have caught hold of it, and are bringing it to its mouth; in 

 about two minutes the fish is swallowed." 



"Here is another Sea Anemone, a much finer specimen than 

 the one Jack found. ' Oh,' said May, ' it is a beautiful speci- 

 men ; is it the same species?' It is generally considered 

 to be a variety of the other one; it is called the Strawberry 

 Anemone, from its resemblance to the fruit of that name. If 

 I touch its tentacles, it immediately closes itself up. These 

 creatures have no eyes, yet are so susceptible of light, that they 

 will often Bhow they are aware of a passing cloud by shrinking. 

 Should an unlucky orab, though stronger far apparently and 

 much more active than the zoophyte, touoh the expanded 

 arms, activity and strength avail it little ; with slow, but per- 

 tinacious and unflinchingj'grasp, the Actinia seizes hold of it, 



