FOOD OF ANEMONE. 



101 



a tank, and the light shining through its sub- 

 stance, showing the dark-green lines that radiate 

 from the centre, and are so well contrasted with 

 the azure gems that surround the disc. The 

 mode bj which the anemone travels is simple 

 enough ; it pushes forward one portion of the 

 base, and, having fixed it firmly, draws the re- 

 maining portion after it. 



There is a delicate gelatinous membrane that 

 covers the entire animal, and which it frequently 

 throws off. After an actinia has been sojourning 

 in one spot for some time, and then moves away, 

 it generally leaves a cast coat behind, as if to 

 mark the exact locality of its habitation. Some- 

 times the creature appears to find a difficulty in 

 getting rid of this membrane, which generally 

 adheres strongly to the mouth. In such a case it 

 is useful to assist nature, and a camel's-hair 

 brush will generally give great aid to the actinia ; 

 who, in gratitude for help, expands itself im- 

 mediately on being freed. Numbers of their cast 

 membranes will be soon found in the aquarium, 

 and should be removed. 



If these creatures are kept merely for their 

 beauty, they should be treated as greyhounds are 

 treated ; that is, kept almost entirely without 

 food. They will live very well for many months 



