66 



LIFE, IN ITS LOWER F0RM4, 



the tide which has left them dry, and each one contracted 

 into a hemispherical button of tremulous flesh, varying 

 exceedingly in colour, — brown, chocolate, dark red, purple, 

 crimson, pink, flesh-colour, green, olive, and not unfre- 

 quently, especially in the overgrown specimens, specked all 

 over with light green on a dark red ground 1 Yes ; our 

 readers are doubtless familiar with these attractive crea- 

 tures, and are prepared to hear with interest some of the 

 details of their curious structure and economy. 



In order to understand the subject more perfectly, it 

 would be desirable to study the Sea-Anemones at home 

 and at leisure. Nothing is more easily accomplished. 

 Carry down to the rocky margin of the sea, at low tide, a 

 wide-mouthed phial, and select your specimen. It adheres 

 firmly to the stone by a broad fleshy base, but the attach- 

 ment is one of adhesion merely ; there is no organic con- 

 nexion between the animal and its support. You will 

 find no difficulty in detaching it, if you proceed gently and 

 with care, working the back of your finger-nail, or (if you 

 like it better) a thin slip of wood, under the circumference 

 of the fleshy base, and gradually proceeding onward. 

 When you have succeeded in getting it off, drop it into 

 your phial, which you may partly fill with sea-water, and 

 carry home. 



A nice little aquarium may now be improvised for its 

 accommodation. A washing-basin, or a soup-tureen, will 

 answer admirably ; or a delft foot-bath, or a milk-dish, or 

 a brown earthen pan. Whatever vessel you choose, put a 

 few pieces of rock on the bottom, half-fill it with clear 

 sea-water, and place in it a few (only a few) living sea- 

 weeds. If you mean to establish an aquarium of consider- 



