Page:Hardwicke's Science-Gossip - Volume 1.pdf/173

of the most variable of all our British Anemones (fig. 6), and one of the most abundant and widely distributed, in which it differs vastly from the last two, comparatively rare, species. Notwithstanding its great variability, there is very little difficulty in distinguishing and determining it. There is a characteristic

mark often present on the tentacles very much like a letter B, as will be seen by the woodcut (fig. 7). These are very numerous, often reaching two hundred; and, moreover, its "troglodyte" or cave-dwelling habit, and sulky propensity of retiring within its den at the slightest provocation, are excellent features to assist in naming it. When placed in a tank, however, and allowed to see that there are other creatures in the world as well as themselves, they soon relinquish their morose habits, and adhering to a flat stone, or the glass itself, behave as well-conducted and domestic anemones ought to do.

The Parasitic Anemone (Sagartia parasitica) is very abundant about Ballyvanghan, on the Clare shore, as well as some parts of the British coast. It is often found on dead shells, especially those inhabited by the Hermit Crab, but in the former locality I have found it usually parasitic upon the shell of the living cockle (Cardium edule). Almost every "cockle" gathered by the children on the stand has one or two of the parasitic anemones adhering to it, striped alternately dull-white and purplish brown (fig. 8). They are in the button state, not unlike that sweetmeat which is such a delicacy to the schoolboy, and known to him as the "bull's-eye." It was till lately supposed that this species never adhered to living shells. It thrives very well in an aquarium; the cockle soon dies, and the valves of its shell open, and then the parasite leaves it and betakes itself to the glass. A good distinguishing mark of this species, besides its parasitic habit and striped body, is the dark line down each side of the tentacle.

The Opelet (Anthea cereus) is one of the commonest of our native species (fig. 9), on the south and west coasts of England, on parts of the Scotch

coast, and possibly all round Ireland. The variety with the gracefully waving purplish-green tentacles is the predominant one at Spanish Point. I have observed specimens collected here that have the power of retracting their tentacles to a very considerable degree, the little purple tips being alone visible.

The Beadlet (Actinia mesembryanthemum) is a well-known and abundant species (fig. 10), not only on the shores of Britain, but also of Ireland. At Spanish

Point myriads of individuals are left high and dry by the tide, decking the rocks with every shade of red, purple, and green. One of the most beautiful varieties is, I think, that having a light blue tinge, with azure-blue base and tentacles.

At (illegible text), at the head of Liscannon Bay, the variety called the "Strawberry" is very abundant. It occurs nearer to low-water mark than the normal

form, and attains to a greater size, often being as large as average-sized individuals of the Dahlia Wartlet (Tealia crassicornis); besides which it is much more easily detached from the rock, and is softer to the touch, so much so, indeed, that I could at once recognize it by the mere feeling, when the animal was concealed from view beneath some overhanging ledge, or by the dusk of evening.

The "Strawberry" is the most easily kept of all