Although the sea anemone is said to be delicate eating, man derives very little benefit from them in that respect. In Provence, Italy, and Greece, the Green Actinia is in great repute, and Dicquemare speaks of _A. crassicornis_ as delicate food. "Of all the kinds of sea anemones, I would prefer this for the table; being boiled some time in sea water, they acquire a firm and palatable consistence, and may then be eaten with any kind of sauce. They are of an inviting appearance, of a light shivering texture, and of a soft white and reddish hue. Their smell is not unlike that of a warm crab or lobster." Dr. Johnston admits the tempting description, and does not doubt their being not less a luxury than the sea urchins of the Greeks, or the snails of the Roman epicures, but he was not induced to test its truth. Rondeletius tells us, having, as Dr. Johnston thinks, _A. crassicornis_ in view, that it brings a good price at Bordeaux. _Actinia dianthus_ also is good to eat, quoth Dicquemare, and Plaucus directs the cook to dress it after the manner of dressing oysters, with which it is frequently eaten. _Actinia coriacea_ is found in the market at Rochefort during the months of January, February, and March. Its flesh is said to be both delicate and savoury. With these general considerations, we proceed to note some of the more remarkable genera and species of these interesting creatures. Among these, the species represented in PL. IV. are those usually seen collected in such aquariums as those of the Zoological Gardens of London and the Gardens of Acclimatization of Paris. The first section of the _Actiniadæ_, according to Milne Edwards, includes the Common Actinia, the feet of which are broad and adherent, the lateral walls soft and imperforate. To this section belongs, among others, the genera _Anemonia_, _Actinia_, and _Metridium_. [Illustration: Plate VI.--Sea Anemones. 1. Actinia dianthus. 2. Cereus gemmaceus. 3. Actinia bicolor. 4. Sagartia viduata. 5. Cereus papillossus. 6. Actinia picta. 7. Actinia equina. 8. Sagartia rosea. 9. Sagartia coccinea. ]