EADIATES. 



335 



cumstances. The animal can close this opening entirely. 

 Around this mouth of the animal are arranged rows of 

 tentacula, extending out like rays when the mouth is 

 open, and giving the creature the appearance of a flower 

 with its spread petals. 1Fig. 265 shows Sea Anemones in 



Fig. 265 Actinias, or Sea Anemones. 



three different states. The upper one has the month 

 closed and the tentacles drawn in, and the animal pre- 

 sents almost a hemispherical form. The one just below 

 on the rock is partly opened ; and another, under the wa- 

 ter, is fully expanded, looking Uke a flower. 



577. The mouth of the Actinia conducts to a stomach 

 which may be said to be very large in proportion to the 

 whole body. The office of the tentacles is to catch the 

 prey of the animal, and force it into this cavity. Fig. 

 266 represents one of these ani- 

 mals cut open, showing the stom- 

 ach at a. At h are certain cavi- 

 ties or chambers, which are all 

 — •« around the stomach. These 

 chambers all communicate with 

 each other, and also with the 

 Fig. 206. tentaolesv which are tubular. 



