62 
small and insignificant one ; yet. the researches of the Ge°' a 
gist have proved, that in the early ages of onr globe, s P ec ' e t 'j 
if not identical with those of the South Seas, yet e< i nal . B 
to them in size and beauty, once inhabited onr shores. I n 
limestone rock of Devon, and in some of the slate rocks 
our southern coast they are common and well marked. 
The Cornish species are not numerous, are mostly 
fleshy, and single animals; there being but one calcareo 
and one compound species. _ . ^ 
The most common and most numerous genus is the Ac ^ 
of which a representative may be found in the coinrit ^ 
brown Anemone, every where to be found between 
marks, in pools, and on the shelving sides of rocks. 6 
character of the order is : Polypes compound or single , .1 
or attached, fosenlous ; the body regular with a circular 1’^ 
riphery, contractile, internally divided into numerous space* ^ 
perpendicular muscular septa ; mouth superior and cen ^ /lC h 
encircled with, one or more series of tubular tentacula : ato«‘' 
membranous: anus O: ovaries and ceeca placed in the se l 
between the stomach and skin. . ^ 
The first genus we shall notice is the Actinia, which, irl 
contracted or quiescent state is hemispherical or snb'j^ 
noidal, with a central superior orifice or depression; ‘ ]( j 
surface of its body is smooth and shining, or glandular 
warty. In the expanded state, the apex of the cone beco^ 
unfolded into a flat disc, having an oral aperture in the cel> 1 ^ 
a plain surface beyond it surrounded by several circle* 
tnbnlar tapering tentacula, beyond which is a free plain r ‘ j 
It is this free edge which infolds over the tentacula „ 
hides them from view in the contracted state. This coinp^ 
retraction of the tentacula constitnt.es the difference betf ' ^ 
the Actinia and Anthea, two genera, which are alike'” - t 
other particulars. Thus when the animal is expanded ^ 
bears a great resemblauce to the pictorial representation*^ 
the sun, and from which the name of the order is der> v f 
It. will be unnecessary to enter further into the anal onv g { 
these creatures, than will suffice to convey a general i‘ ie 
their form and those points of their physiology which nw^i „ 
considered popular. Those who desire to enter further ^ 
the subject, will find an elaborate paper on it in the L ^ 
Philosophical and Literary Transactions by Mr. Teal°» 
to the accuracy of which I can bear testimony. 
The body is hollow ; the mouth opens by a short, 
passage into the stomach. The stomach is large, nie» | 
nous, semi-transparent, plaited and divided into two 
parts by longitudinal furrows; these are formed y $$ 
adhession of the stomach to two solid fleshy septa tU 
