Glimpses of Ocean Life 6

Glimpses of Ocean Life 6

The Actiniæ, and especially examples of the above mentioned species,

are extremely hardy and tenacious of life, as the following interesting

narrative will prove.

 

The late Sir John Dalyell writing in 1851, says, 'I took a specimen

of _A. mesembryanthemum_ (smooth anemone) in August 1828, at North

Berwick, where the species is very abundant among the crevices of the

rocks, and in the pools remaining still replenished after the recess of

the tide. It was originally very fine, though not of the largest size,

and I computed from comparison with those bred in my possession, that

it must have been then at least seven years old.'

 

Through the kindness of Dr. M'Bain, R.N., the writer has been permitted

to enjoy the extreme pleasure of inspecting the venerable zoophyte

above alluded to, which cannot now be much under thirty-eight years of

age!

 

In the studio of the above accomplished naturalist, 'Granny' (as she

has been amusingly christened) still dwells, her wants being attended

to with all that tenderness and care which her great age demands.

 

Sir J. Dalyell informs us that during a period of twenty years this

creature produced no less than 344 young ones. But, strange to say,

nearly the fortieth part of this large progeny consisted of monstrous

animals, the monstrosity being rather by redundance than defect. One,

for instance, was distinguished by two mouths of unequal dimensions

in the same disc, environed by a profusion of tentacula. Each mouth

fed independently of its fellow, and the whole system seemed to derive

benefit from the repast of either. In three years this monster became

a fine specimen, its numerous tentacula were disposed in four rows,

whereas only three characterize the species, and the tubercles of vivid

purple, regular and prominent, at that time amounted to twenty-eight.

 

From the foregoing statement we learn that this extraordinary animal

produced about 300 young during a period of twenty years, but, 'wonder

of wonders!' I have now to publish the still more surprising fact,

that in the spring of the year 1857, after being unproductive for many

years, it unexpectedly gave birth, during a single night, to no less

than 240 living models of its illustrious self!

 

This circumstance excited the greatest surprise and pleasure in the

mind of the late Professor Fleming, in whose possession this famous

Actinia then was.

 

Up to this date (January 1860) there has been no fresh instance of

fertility on the part of Granny, whose health, notwithstanding her

great reproductive labours and advanced age, appears to be all that

her warmest friends and admirers could desire. Nor does her digestive

powers exhibit any signs of weakness or decay; on the contrary, that

her appetite is still exquisitely keen, I had ample opportunity of

judging. The half of a newly opened mussel being laid gently upon the

outer row of tentacula, these organs were rapidly set in motion, and

the devoted mollusc engulphed in the course of a few seconds.

 

The colour of this interesting pet is pale brown. Its size, when fully

expanded, no larger than a half-crown piece. It is not allowed to

suffer any annoyance by being placed in companionship with the usual

occupants of an aquarium, but dwells alone in a small tank, the water

of which is changed regularly once a week. This being the plan adopted

by the original owner of Granny, is the one still followed by Dr.

M'Bain, whose anxiety is too great to allow him to pursue any other

course, for fear of accident thereby occurring to his protegée.

 

A portrait of Granny, drawn from nature, will be found on Plate 2.

 

_A. troglodytes_[2] (cave-dweller) is a very common, but interesting

object. The members of this species are especial favourites with the

writer, from their great suitableness for the aquarium. They vary

considerably in their appearance from each other. Some are red, violet,

purple, or fawn colour; others exhibit a mixture of these tints, while

not a few are almost entirely white. There are certain specimens which

disclose tentacula, that in colour and character look, at a little

distance, like a mass of eider-down spread out in a circular form. A

better comparison, perhaps, presents itself in the smallest plumage of

a bird beautifully stippled, and radiating from a centre. The centre

is the mouth of the zoophyte, and is generally a light buff or yellow

colour. From each corner, in certain specimens, there branches out

a white horn that tapers to a very delicate point, and is oft times

gracefully curled like an Ionic volute, or rather like the tendril of a

vine.

 

[2] The above mentioned Actinia is extremely abundant on the shores

of the Frith of Forth. Sir J. Dalyell terms it _A. explorator_.

Local amateur naturalists frequently reject the specific name

of 'Troglodytes,' and adopt the more musical appellation of

'Daisy-Anemone.' Such error seems very pardonable, when we remember the

close resemblance which the creature when expanded bears to the daisy

of the field. In no single instance have I met with specimens of the

true _A. bellis_ at the above named locality, nor do I think any have

ever been found by previous naturalists.

 

In addition to the pair of horns alluded to, may sometimes be seen a

series of light-coloured rays, occurring at regular intervals around

the circumference of the deep tinted tentacula, and thereby producing

to the eye of the beholder a most pleasing effect.

 

As a general rule, never attempt to capture an anemone unless it be

fully expanded, before commencing operations. By this means you will be

able to form a pretty accurate estimate of its appearance in the tanks.

This condition of being seen necessitates, of course, its being covered

with water, and, consequently, increases the difficulty of capturing

your prize, especially when the creature happens to have taken up a

position upon a combination of stone and solid rock, or in a crevice,

or in a muddy pool, which when disturbed seems as if it would never

come clear again.

 

It is, in consequence, advisable to search for those situated in

shallow water, the bottom of which is covered with clean sand. When

such a favourable spot is found, take hammer and chisel and commence

operations. Several strokes may be given before any alarm is caused to

the anemone, provided it be not actually touched. No sooner, however,

does the creature feel a palpable vibration, and suspect the object of

such disturbance, than, spurting up a stream of water, it infolds its

blossom, and shrinks to its smallest possible compass. At same time

apparently tightens its hold of the rock, and is, indeed, often enabled

successfully to defy the utmost efforts to dislodge it.

 

After a little experience, the zoologist will be able to guess whether

he is likely to succeed in getting his prize perfect and entire; if

not, let me beg of him not to persevere, but immediately try some other

place, and hope for better fortune.

 

Although apparently sedentary creatures, the Actiniæ often prove

themselves to be capable of moving about at will over any portion of

their subaqueous domain. Having selected a particular spot, they will

ofttimes remain stationary there many consecutive months. A smooth

anemone that had been domesticated for a whole year in my aquarium

thought fit to change its station and adopt a roving life, but at last

'settled down,' much to my surprise, upon a large mussel suspended

from the surface of the glass. Across both valves of the mytilus the

'mess.' attached by its fleshy disc, remained seated for a considerable

length of time. It was my opinion that the mussel would eventually be

sacrificed. Such, however, was not the case, for on the zoophyte again

starting off on a new journey, the mollusc showed no palpable signs of

having suffered from the confinement to which it had so unceremoniously

been subjected.

 

The appearance of this anemone situated several inches from the base

of the vessel, branching out from such an unusual resting-place, and

being swayed to and fro, as it frequently was, by the contact of a

passing fish, afforded a most pleasing sight to my eye. Indeed, it was

considered for a while one of the 'lions' of the tank, and often became

an object of admiration not only to my juvenile visitors, but also to

many 'children of larger growth.'

 

There is a curious fact in connection with the Actiniæ which deserves

to be chronicled here. I allude to the apparent instinct which they

possess. This power I have seen exercised at various times. The

following is a somewhat remarkable instance of the peculiarity in

question.

 

In a small glass vase was deposited a choice _A. dianthus_, about an

inch in diameter. The water in the vessel was at least five inches

in depth. Having several specimens of the _Aplysiæ_, I placed one in

companionship with the anemone, and was often amused to observe the

former floating head downward upon the surface of the water. After a

while it took up a position at the base of the vase, and remained there

for nearly a week. Knowing the natural sluggishness of the animal,

its passiveness did not cause me any anxiety. I was rather annoyed,

however, at observing that the fluid was becoming somewhat opaque,

and that the Dianthus remained entirely closed, and intended to find

out the cause of the phenomena, but from some reason or other failed

to carry out this laudable purpose at the time. After the lapse of a

few days, on looking into the tank, I was delighted to perceive the

lace-like tentacula of the actinia spread out on the surface of the

water, which had become more muddy-looking than before.

 

I soon discovered that the impurity in question arose from the Aplysia

(whose presence in the tank I had forgotten) having died, and its body

being allowed to remain in the vessel in a decaying state. The deceased

animal on being removed emitted an effluvium so intolerably bad that

it seemed like the concentrated essence of vile odours. The water, of

course, must have been of the most deadly character, yet had this most

delicate of sea-anemones existed in it for several consecutive days.

 

In order further to test how long my little captive would remain alive

in its uncongenial habitation, I cruelly refused to grant any succour,

but must own to having felt extremely gratified at perceiving, in the

course of a few days, that instead of remaining with its body elongated

to such an unusual extent, the Dianthus gradually advanced along the

base, then up the side of the vessel, and finally located itself in

a certain spot, from which it could gain easy access to the outer

atmosphere.

 

After this second instance of intelligence (?) I speedily transferred

my pet to a more healthy situation.

 

Having procured a small colony of Actiniæ, you need be under no anxiety

about their diet, for they will exist for years without any further

subsistence than is derived from the fluid in which they live. Yet

strange as the statement will appear to many persons, the Actiniæ

are generally branded with the character of being extremely greedy

and voracious. 'Nothing,' says Professor Jones, 'can escape their

deadly touch. Every animated thing that comes in contact with them is

instantly caught, retained, and mercilessly devoured. Neither strength

nor size, nor the resistance of the victim, can daunt the ravenous

captor. It will readily grasp an animal, which, if endowed with similar

strength, advantage, and resolution, could certainly rend its body

asunder. It will endeavour to gorge itself with thrice the quantity of

food that its most capacious stomach is capable of receiving. Nothing

is refused, provided it be of animal substance. All the varieties of

the smaller fishes, the fiercest of the crustacea, the most active of

the annelidans, and the soft tenants of shells among the mollusca, all fall a prey to the Actiniæ.'