240 
bulletin of the bureau of fisheries. 
In 1833 Quoy et Gaimard, Voyage de I’Astrolabe (Zoologie, t. iv, p. 146), described a species, 
Anemonia pelagica, having several points in common with that here under discussion; for example, 
its pelagic habitat, “Trouvee sur des fucus an milieu de I’Ocean Atlantique;” also the prehensile 
nature of the tentacles. Their description is, however, very vague and Andres regards the species as 
doubtful. Moreover, as compared with A. sargassensis it has many points of difference, such as color, 
number of tentacles, etc. (Cf . Milne-Edwards et Haime, Histoire Natiirelle des Corallaires, 1. 1, p. 235). 
The following may be regarded as diagnostic characters: Column short and rather broad, in about 
the relation of i to 2, more or less fluted; pedal disk well developed and adapted to clasping stems 
of the weed; oral disk marked by radiating lines of flake white, or cream-colored lines varying in size 
and extending upon bases of tentacles; tentacles cylindrical, long and tapering, but slightly contractile, 
of various sizes and disposition about the margin of the disk; tentacles highly prehensile, and more or 
less adhesive, both of which characters seem of great importance as a means of catching prey, and in 
locomotion; tentacles variable in number, from 25 to 30 in smaller specimens to 50 in larger, and from 
5 to 15 mm. in length, inner series nearly twice diameter of disk; in several cases bifurcated tentacles 
were observed. Tactile sense highly developed in larger tentacles. 
Dimensions of body: An average of about 5 to 6 mm. high by 9 mm. in diameter. Color is various, 
though light brownish to chestnut or olivaceous tints are predominant. These with the whitish lines 
of disk and tentacles give a simulation to the color of the Sargassum in a most remarkable degree, so 
much so that unless careful scrutiny is made the specimens are certain to be overlooked. This 
feature they seem to share in common with many of the Sargassum fauna. 
Acontia seem to be entirely lacking, no amount of irritation being able to secure their discharge; 
subsequent sections likewise failed to reveal their presence. 
Primar}^ mesenteries, six pairs (see pi. xli, fig. 3). The figure was drawn from a small specimen, 
and tlie secondary mesenteries are only slightly developed. Directives quite well marked as shown. 
Sphincter very weak or lacking, rendering contraction slight, in no case sufficient to withdraw the 
tentacles or w'holly cover the oral disk. Body quite smooth, except for the slight vertical fluting 
referred to above ; no tubercles cr marginal spherules. 
SAGARTIA Gosse, 1858. 
According to Hertwig (Challenger Rept., vol. vi, pt. xv, p. 72), the genus Sagariia sliould be limited 
to those “Sagartidce wdth smooth w'all and numerous porverful tentacles arranged in several rows; without 
anatomically perceptible sinclides.” This definition excludes several forms which have been hitherto 
usually referred to this genus, among them at least one of our local species, namely, 5 . leucolena, which 
has been referred by Andres to the genus Cylisia. 
Sagartia modesta Verrill. [PI. xui, fig. 5, 6; xliii, fig. 7.] 
Sagariia modesta Verrill, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. x, 1866, p. 337; Inv. An. Vineyard Sound, 1874, pp. 330^ 738. 
Andres, Pauna u. Flora GoUes Neapel, bd. ix. Parker, Am. Nat., vol. xxxiv, 1900. 
Body elongate, cylindrical, in expansion about five times longer than in diameter. Pedal disk 
more or less evident, effective as an organ of adhesion, by means of which it attached itself to a rock or 
other substratum. This may be best observed in a small aquarium, or by careful examination of speci- 
mens when first taken from the normal habitat, adherent to some supporting base. Tentacles are 
numerous, from 6o to loo, more or less marginal in several rows; they are slender and tapering, about twice 
the length of the diameter of oral disk, or perhaps slightly more. Color of tentacles pale grayish or greenish, 
with dark lateral spots near the base, and with lighter bars or bands toward the distal portion, inter- 
spersed with w^hitish bands or spots (pi. xui, fig. 6). Oral disk yellowish or white, with darker radial 
lines; mouth with 15 to 20 rather prominent liplike folds. General color more or less variable; column 
pale flesh color. Wlien first taken from the w^ater or sand the body is often covered with a sheath 
of mucous and adherent sand grains. Acontia extruded over various portions of body, but without 
evident cinclides. 
