1903 - 4 .] On Aged Specimens of Sagartia troglodytes, etc. 301 
Specimens of Actinia mesembryanthemum living under identical 
conditions and in the same aquaria as the Sagartia were more 
fruitful, two in particular being very prolific, though their breeding 
season was somewhat retarded. It would therefore appear that 
S. troglodytes is more sensitive than A. mesembryanthemum to 
changes in the environment, and that these changes exert a 
considerable effect on the reproduction, though it is obvious that 
there is some individual variation in this respect. 
In August 1903 two specimens of S. troglodytes were brought 
from Thorshavn in the Faeroes and placed in the aquaria. In the 
following October each produced several young, and in April 1904 
one of them gave birth to a single young anemone. All the other 
specimens of S. troglodytes which were under the same conditions 
breed only in the spring, and it is improbable that October is the 
normal breeding-time of specimens under natural conditions in 
the Faeroes, as by this late season of the year the sea is already 
running high, and there would be a great risk of the delicate 
young anemones being unable to fix themselves, and being destroyed. 
It is probable that the change of environment (perhaps temperature 
was largely responsible) had induced these anemones to breed out 
of their usual season (see also p. 303). 
We are indebted to Mr Sydney Chaffers for sending to us 
some particulars regarding anemones which he has kept in captivity 
for a number of years (see also pp. 299, 303). These specimens 
have in most cases been returned to the sea. He has kept for 
a period of eight years, without any difficulty, specimens of 
Actinia mesembryanthemum , Sagartia troglodytes, and Bunodactis 
(Bunodes) gemmacea in aquaria containing about seven gallons of 
sea-water. These anemones were fed regularly twice a week on a 
portion of the mantle of Mytilus, and the water was aerated every 
other day by means of a glass syringe. Mr Chaffers states that 
during these eight years there was no appreciable alteration in the 
size and appearance of these anemones. This supports the view 
that under favourable conditions they may live to a great age. 
Miss Nelson informs us that Actinia mesembryanthemum is the 
only other anemone which she has been successful in keeping for 
any length of time, and that no specimens of this species have lived 
in her collection for more than about eight years. 
