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CHAPTER VI. 



SEA ANEMONES AND OTHER ZOOPHYTES. 



There is a singular class of animals, called 

 by the scientific name of Anihozoa, or living- 

 flowers, because their formation and external 

 appearance seem to partake much of the vege- 

 tative nature. Among the most conspicuous of 

 the Anthozoa, are the creatures called Sea- 

 Anemones, although they are not in the least 

 like anemones, but do bear a very decided resem- 

 blance to China-asters, daisies, or dahlias. Very 

 many species of these curious beings may be 

 found on various portions of the British coasts, 

 especially those which lie quite to the south; 

 some of these creatures are only to be found in 

 certain localities, but there are two species which 

 are to be found on every coast where there is the 

 best shelter. These two species I shall describe. 



On plate b, figs. 4 and 5, is represented the 

 commonest of the Sea-Anemones, or Actinias, 

 as they ought to be called; one figure showing 

 the animal as it appears when covered with water 



