across. I therefore conclude thallia to be only a colour variety of A. gemmacea.

A. anguicoma, "The Snake-locked Anemone."Mr. Gosse makes the A. anguicoma of Prof. Johnston equal the A. viduata of the same author. He further describes and depicts (in his 'Devonshire Coast') as an anguicoma that which I consider to be a troglodytes. Undoubted specimens of troglodytes have the vertical tentacle streaks which are given by Johnston as characteristic of viduata. It is probable that these two species are identical, and that anguicoma (distinguished by its long and slender tentacles, and its power of elongating itself from an inch to five inches and a half, Johnston) is unknown on the Devonshire coast.

A. dianthus, "The Plumed Anemone."-Mr. W. Thompson informs me that this is essentially a deep-water species at Weymouth, and is never taken in less than three fathoms water. Small specimens have been forwarded to me by Mr. G. H. Lewes from Tenby, where he finds them on the rocks at extreme low water. One small specimen has been discovered on Morte-stone, near Ilfracombe, by my friend Mr. W. Brodrick. Mr. Thompson writes:"The assertion that A. dianthus cannot be detached without injury to its base is a mistake; they are not more difficult to detach than are other species, and

move constantly of their own accord from place to place. From what I have seen of A. dianthus, and some hundreds have passed through my hands, I am of the same opinion as our lamented friend Dr. Johnston, that Mr. Couch's A. dianthus, which he finds between tide-marks, is a distinct species."

4. parasitica, "The Parasitic Anemone." On this species Mr. Thompson writes to me as follows:"It is by no means scarce in Weymouth Bay; I dredge two or three of a day, and after a storm they may be found thrown on the shore. I have never found them on bivalves or living univalves: they are occasionally taken on stones. Their favourite site is in a shell of the common whelk, B. undatum, which is inhabited by a hermit-crab. The crab walks about, if not unconscious of, at all events not caring for, its living load, and the Actinia no doubt rides about from one feeding-ground to another, with great advantage to itself, if not with great pleasure."

A. aurora. It will be seen that I have grouped four of Mr. Gosse's species and two new varieties (which have at least equal claims to be considered as species) under one head. During the last two years I have seen numberless specimens of all these kinds from Tenby, from Lundy Island, and from Morte-stone, and there is no doubt in my own mind

104

A MANUAL OF SEA-ANEMONES.

that, however they may differ in colour, and even in the number of tentacles (arising from their dif ference of age), they may yet be classed under one typical form, which I have described in the foregoing Table as characteristic of the species.

It is only by collecting and comparing vast numbers of Actinic that we can arrive at a trustworthy generalization with regard to the characteristics of genera, species and varieties.

APPENDIX I.

SPECIMEN OF A NATURALIST'S DIARY.

(See page 85.)

N. B. The first four items may be kept on the left-hand side of the book, and the opposite pages be reserved for the record of events. An Appendix should contain more elaborate notices of microscopic observations and the like.

A. gemmacea Torr Point, Aug. 23, | Extreme low

Record of events in the animal's prison-life. (With dates.)

Aug. 24. Fixed firmly to

side of tank. 25. Expanded. 28. Becomes paler in colour externally. 29. In full health, but lazy; gave him a douche bath. Same day, evening. Lively.

About half- Aug. 28. In full bloom tide. In a

rock - pool,
under water,
expanded.

(var. white - tentacled). 29. Sends out the "ovaries" from a wound in the base. 30. The green colour of the body quite faded away. Sept. 2. The "ovaries" slough.

He dies.

3.