DUBLIN NATTJEAL HISTOBY SOCIETY. 67 



Bunodes gemmacea. The Gem Pimplet. The form and marking of 

 the tentacles of this species when expanded, and its '■'■ prim A facie resem- 

 blance to an echinus denuded of its spines" (" British Anemones," Gosse, 

 page 193), when unfolded, render it unmistakeable. 



Dr. Wright seems to consider it as scarce on the S. "W. coast. I have 

 observed it occurring plentifully all along the Clare coast, generally mid- 

 way between high and low water mark, seldom more than two or three 

 being found together. It is easily kept in confinement, and forms a 

 pleasing contrast vnth some of the other anemones. 



Bunodes Ballii — The Eed-specked Pimplet. This well-marked spe- 

 cies (with its red-spotted warts and speckled tentacles) is very abundant 

 on Gall Island, Green Island, and the shore of the mainland IS". E. of Bal- 

 lyvaughan, often protruding through the sandy mud in company with S. 

 lellis\ frequently detached, and lying loose on sea- weed, w\^ Anthea 

 cereus, and occasionally attached to rocks and boulders. It thrives well in 

 confinement, when it has not too many companions. I once overstocked 

 one of my tanks with this species,and in a few days several had died. On 

 removing the dead ones, I found the acontia extended en masse through 

 a fracture in the side of the column near the base, and forming a large 

 unsightly wart ; the creatures had considerably contracted in size, — 

 the column becoming very slender, and the tips of the tentacles just 

 protruding. 



B. Balm is remarkably active in its movements, much more so than 

 any other anemone. "When adhering to the side of the tank by its base, 

 it will suddenly detach that part of the body from the glass, and creep 

 quickly along the side by the aid of its tentacles : when I say quickly, 

 I mean, about the same pace at which a starfish may be often seen to 

 move. It will then, after a short time, free itself altogether from the 

 side of the tank, and let itself sink gracefully to the bottom with some- 

 what of the movement of a medusa. I have also observed this species, 

 when in a state of repose, with the tentacles fully expanded but motion- 

 less, or almost imperceptibly waving to and fro, give a sudden spasmodic 

 jerk with one or two of those members, as if to strike some invisible 

 object. I do not see that B. Ballii has been hitherto recorded as Irish. 



Tealia cassicornis. — The Dahlia "Wartlet. As Dr. Wright remarks, 

 this species abounds in all suitable places along our coast, presenting to 

 the eye every variety of form and colour. 



The variety insignis, with its crimson column and white tentacles, is 

 I think the most beautiJful. The large size of Tealia cassicornis prevents 

 it being a desirable inmate of a small aquarium, and a slight injury to 

 the base in detaching it from the rock is liable to produce death. I have 

 never seen this species appear to such advantage as in the large tide-pool 

 mentioned by me at Miltown-Malbay, " 'N&t Hist. Rev.," page 393, 

 July, 1860. 



I win now conclude by remarking that this list, though only contain- 

 ing twelve species, adds six to column six, west province, in the table at 

 the end of Dr. Wright's paper, << Nat. Hist. Review," page 124, April, 

 1 859. They are as follows :— 



