36 
PROCEEDINGS OE SOCIETIES, 
genera, such as Peachia, Edwardsia, Arachnitis, are totally unrepresented 
in Ireland, though the geographical position of that country cannot be 
considered as in any way the cause of this deficiency, which seems due 
rather to the want of attention of Irish naturalists to this branch of 
Zoology than to any real scarcity of the animals in question. A correct 
list of the Irish Actinoida is very desirable, those hitherto published 
having been either incomplete, inaccurate, or both. 
In vol. iv. of the late W. Thompson’s “ Natural History of Ireland,” 
the number of species given is only eighteen, and the notes of the dif¬ 
ferent localities in which these have been observed are rather scanty, 
and by no means indicative of the relative distribution of the various 
species around the coast. We must remember, however, that the well- 
known accuracy of Mr. Thompson forbade him to publish the name of 
any locality of the existence of which any doubt could be entertained. 
It should be mentioned, that the name Actinia gemmacea in Mr. Thomp¬ 
son’s list is meant to designate, not the Zoophyte now so called ( Bunodes 
gemmacea of Mr. Gosse), but rather the common Bunodes crassicornis, 
of which it is a well-known synonym. Nine species of i^ctinoida are 
found on the Dublin coast, the neighbourhood of Howth furnishing 
the greater number of them. Sagartia viduata has been taken more 
than once in this locality, and the individuals of S. dianthus here ob¬ 
tained exceed, both in size and delicacy of tint, the finest English speci¬ 
mens. It is on the western shores of our island that we are to expect 
the greater number of discoveries. Most of Mr. Gosse’s novelties have 
been taken on the south-western coast of England, and it is highly 
probable that an equally diligent series of investigations, carried on 
round the corresponding districts of Ireland, will be attended with 
equally successful results. 
Sagartia venusta, S. parasitica , and S. rosea, the first of these 
being one of the rarest and most beautiful of the Devonshire species, 
have been obtained by Mr. E. Percival Wright, in the autumn of 
the present year (1857), on the shores of Pantry Pay, during a very 
limited search which he made on this part of the coast; and we may 
readily assume that very many new forms yet await our investigations 
in this and similar localities. It should be borne in mind that ten years 
ago the number of Pritish species amounted to but one-half only of 
what it does at present ; and it is not too much to expect that the re¬ 
sult of a few years’ careful investigation on our moi-e prolific western 
shores will lead to the discovery of many rare and unexpected species. 
The subjoined list may be of some use as a basis for future observa¬ 
tions. 
Irish Actinoida. 
Anthea cereus, common round the coast. 
Adamsia palliata, Pelfast, Waterford. 
Corynactis viridis, Crookhaven, Co. Cork. 
,, Allmanni, Pelfast Pay. 
Sagartia viduata (anguicoma ), Clare, Dublin, and Down coasts. 
