79 
SEA-CARNATION. A. Diantkus. Body cylindrical, 
smooth, oral disc expanded, lobed, with numerous irre- 
gular tentacula ; outer row shortest and forming a fringe. 
Hydra dianthus, Stewart’s Elem., vol. 2, p. 451. Actinia 
1 ’unthus, Ellis and Solander’s Zoopb., p. 7, no. 0. Turton’s 
h] u '> vol. 4, p. 104. Fleming’s Brit. An., p. 400. Stewart’s 
vol. 1, p. 394. Johnston’s Brit. Zoopb., p. 210, 
j* ' Xxviii. Actinia pentapetala, Pennant’s Brit. Zool., vol. 4, 
ft, 104. A. pluroosa, Turton’s Lin., vol. 4, p. 100. Stewart’s 
Me m., vol. 1, p. 394. 
flab. Common in pools, within low water mark ; Pol- 
Pevro, Talland sand bay, East Coombe, Gorran, Fowey. 
This common species is to be found in the crevices ot 
tK C ^ S * a P°°H between tide marks. It is gregarious, and 
I e large and small, old and young indiscriminately mix 
°Sether. In a contracted state it is sub-conoidal, the apex 
the cone being rounded and depressed. The surface is 
^uoth, or but faintly striated in a longitudinal manner. 
s ue most prevailing colour is a chesnut brown; but it is 
Retimes of a pale ash, whitish or yellow tint. When 
^ 0v vn it bears a very great resemblance to the A. Mcseni- 
^y^nthemum in a contracted state. When expanded the 
c U( 'y is columnar, but is liable to variations from unequal 
^tractions of the longitudinal and circular muscular 
fib, 
l| ’ es - The circumference of the oral surface is generally 
The tentacula 
^.htracted into from three to eleven festoons 
•hi Ver y num erous and short ; the longest are the most cen- 
» and the shortest the most external, forming a mere 
' v itl? e ' The upper surface being thus lobed and fringed 
1 s hort tentacula generally variegated with bars ol yellow, 
k|t’n, light blue, green, &c., which are very beautifully 
jj^hded, has a very soft and rich appearance ; sometimes 
C Vever the tentacula are of a pale ash colour with their 
°, es brown. The intervening space between the mouth 
bj. tentacula is plain and smooth ; and it is either of a 
colour or variegated with radiating bands of brown 
the ,? ream colour. The mouth is central and oval, and 
v a r - *P S ar c generally of a bright vermilion colour, but this 
h J es . in different localities. When expanded this is a very 
it j tiful species. The studded sea flower, certainly exceeds 
Iw* 1 the brilliancy and contrasts ot its colouring, but for 
> richness, and softness in its tints, it is without a 
Tl 
ti^jj^uugh decidedly gregarious, it is not so much so as the 
th e H prefers the crevices of the open pool, rather than 
s pe c j larrow deep and hidden ones as is the habit of the next 
