ACTINIA. 219 



with two rows of numerous tentacula, was opened up on what had been 

 the base, and led to the under-stomach : the individual had, indeed, 

 become a sort of Siamese twin, but with greater intimacy and extent 

 in its unions.'' The following curious observations made by Dicque- 

 mare upon these rivals of the weather-wise leeches, may be useful to 

 some residents at the sea-shore ; " My very earliest observation showed 

 that the sea-anemonies feel, and prognosticate within doors, the differ- 

 ent changes of temperature in the atmosphere. I had not leisure at 

 that time to form tables of their various indications ; but I have since 

 done it. This fact, if applied to practice, might be of use in the for- 

 mation of a sea-barometer j an object of no small importance, which 

 several ingenious men have hitherto endeavoured in vain to furnish us 

 with. I should prefer the anemonies of the third species for this pur- 

 pose, their sensation being very quick ; they are also easily procured, 

 and may be kept without nourishment. Five of them may be put in 

 a glass vessel four inches wide and as many in depth, in which they 

 will soon cleave to the angle formed by the sides and the bottom. The 

 water must be renewed every day ; and as they do not require a great 

 quantity of it, as much may be fetched from the sea (if they be kept on 

 land) as will supply them for several days ; its settling some time will 

 only improve it. If the anemonies be at any time shut or contracted, 

 I have reason to apprehend an approaching storm ; that is, high winds 

 and an agitated sea. When they are all shut, but not remarkably con- 

 tracted, they forbode a weather somewhat less boisterous, but stiU at- 

 tended with gales and a rough sea. If they appear in the least open, 

 or alternately and frequently opening and closing, they indicate a mean 

 state both of winds and waves. When they are quite open, I expect 

 tolerably fine weather and a smooth sea. And lastly, when their 

 bodies are considerably extended, and their limbs divergent, they 

 surely prognosticate fixed fair weather and a calm sea. There are 

 times when some of the anemonies are open, and others shut j the 

 number must then .be consulted .; the question is decided by the ma- 

 jority. The anemonies used as barometers should not be fed_; for then 

 the quantity of nourishment might influence their predictions. Ane- 

 monies of this, and of the first species, hve and do well for several 

 years without taking any other food but what they find disseminated 

 in the sea-water ; but should a respite of some days be granted them, 

 they might then be fed with some pieces of muscles, or soft fish, and 

 thus restored to their original vigour. Whenever the vessel is sullied 

 by the sediments of salts, slime, the first shoots of sea-plants, &c. the 

 animals may, on changing the water, be cleansed, .by wiping them with , 



