222 THE MICROSCOPE. 



appearance, of a ligM silvery texture, and of a soft white and pinkish 

 hue. Their smell is not unlike that of a warm crab or lobster." 



Actinia maculata. — This is a curious and interesting object, as it is 

 found enveloping a snail-like or periwinkled shell, having the superior 

 part of a species of small crab projecting from the inside of the shell. 

 Its body is of a reddish colour, marked with beautiful purple spots, and 

 in its thickest part is not more than three-tenths of an inch ; it is about 

 three inches in diameter, and furrowed longitudinally. 



Among the largest of the British species of Actinia is one found on 

 the north-east coast, which, when contracted, usually measures three 

 inches in length. Dr. Johnston, as sponsor, gives it the name oi Actinia 

 Tuedias, the ancient appellation of the maritime parts of Berwickshire, 

 to indicate the place of its first discovery, where it is often dredged from 

 deep water by the fishermen. It is of a uniform reddish or brownish- 

 orange colour, and either smooth or contracted at pleasure into circular 

 folds. The base is smooth and orange-coloured. The mouth is ever 

 varying in size and form, and there are often protruded from it vesi- 

 cular-like lobes of a reddish colour, scored with fainter lines. 



Anihea, a flower, is a name applied by Dr. Johnston to a branch of 

 the order Helianthoida. Anthea cereus is of a pretty light-brown 

 colour, having a somewhat cylindrical furrowed body. About 20(3 

 feelers arise from the disk of the animal, which, when expanded, are 

 longer than the body, and of a bright sea-green colour tipped with red. 

 But in some kinds this colour varies. They are common on the Corn- 

 wall coast : Ellis observes, " Their tentacula being disposed in regular 

 circles, and tinged with a variety of bright lively colours, very nearly 

 represent the beautiful petals of some of our most elegantly fringed and 

 radiated flowers, such as the carnation, marigold, and anemone." 



LUCEKNAKID^. 



These beautiful and singular animals may be seen swimming quickly 

 through the waters, or more generally adhering to sea- weed, and spread- 

 ing out and contracting their bodies as they seize their prey ; for as soon 

 as the suckers at the end of their feelers have got a little animal within 

 its power, it is carried to the mouth, and the body contracts to enclose 

 and consume it. They are of a jelly-like nature, with a smooth and 

 thickish skin ; their bodies are arborescent, with bell-shaped cells, 

 having a small sucker at the bottom, and are divided into eight com- 

 partments, as are others of the Actinia. 



Libcerna/ria campoinulata. — This graceful animal is about an inch 



