Corallines, fyc. 2467 



were held in a tub of sea-water, which was daily renewed. Fresh limpets and small 

 starfishes were given to them ; but the former had the preference, the latter being fre- 

 quently allowed to escape. Limpets seemed to be very agreeable food, and when re- 

 moved from their shells were more eagerly swallowed. On giving each polype three 

 or four of these Mollusca, they were immediately seized with its tentacles, and retained 

 till its mouth was gradually expanded to receive them. The whole process of opening 

 the mouth and swallowing the limpets occupied about fifteen minutes, the animal 

 soon thereafter resuming its natural position when fully expanded. The food, after 

 having been in the animal's stomach two days, was expelled in a very mutilated state ; 

 in some instances, where it was Asteriae or small fishes, these could with difficulty be 

 identified. These wonderful objects of the deep form an excellent barometer, and, if 

 carefully watched, will be found a pretty sure index to the state of the weather. Two 

 or three beautifully striped specimens in my possession (A. crassicornis) had a quick- 

 ness of sensation not common to the whole tribe, and withdrew their tentacula on the 

 approach of rain or snow, assuming the form of a round ball, in which state they re- 

 mained till a rise in the barometer gave indication of a change to dry weather. It is 

 even said by some writers, that when expanded in shallow water, enjoying the cheer- 

 ing influence of the sun's rays, they will suddenly become contracted, should a cloud 

 pass between them and that orb, so as to obscure the glare of light ; but I have never 

 been able to confirm this statement. The white ' sea Anemone,' as it is called, and 

 the pale red-margined species, did not seem to be at all affected, but remained in full 

 expansion, from day to day, without exhibiting any extreme sensitiveness, even when 

 irritated. 



When the water was disturbed, so as to lash on the sides of the tub in which they 

 were placed, it seemed to invigorate and please them, and every part of their beau- 

 tifully delicate structure could be seen in happy motion, — their bodies raised and their 

 feelers stretched out to the utmost extent ; and even when the commotion had subsided, 

 the increased size of the animal caused the arms to float gracefully on the surface. 

 If by neglect the water was allowed to become polluted, they closed up, and continued 

 so till a fresh supply was put on them : they then speedily revived. If, however, they 

 are allowed to experience this unnatural privation too often, their destruction soon be- 

 comes apparent. The first indication of decline is the animals leaving the stone or 

 shell which they occupy ; and it seldom happens that they resume their original posi- 

 tion. Once detached, they never appear so large or healthy : they languish till the 

 final change is made, and that is a complete reverse — a turning outside-in. In this 

 condition many of them lived three weeks, but without taking food. 



A most remarkable and gorgeous polype came under my notice : it was very large, 

 and the upper part of it was folded over the base ; but when fully expanded it resem- 

 bled an inflated ox-bladder. This mammoth of the collection was placed in a com- 

 modious vessel by itself; but, although no exertions were spared for its preservation, 

 it was the first to show signs of decay, and died in one month from the date of its 

 confinement. Less delicate, but especially smaller individuals, will survive double 

 that period ; and to the small red species which inhabit the pools at the sea-shore, 

 there is no apparent difference between an earthenware jar and the sides of a rock, or 

 a bed of sand. Mr. Nichol, of Dunbar, had one or two in his possession upwards of 

 a year ; and the same intelligent observer of their habits tells me that, during the 

 course of that time, one of them produced an offspring of thirty, which settled and 

 grew on various parts of the vessel containing them. 



