form of a cup; if further annoyed, the rim of this cup will contract more and more, until it closes. The diameter of the disc is nearly four times that of the body at the point from which it expands. The petals are very small, but numerous, and are arranged on the disc in about six rows. As for colouring, the daisy is not surpassed by any flower of the deep; for though its tints are less brilliant than those of the living chrysanthemums and dahlias, they are so beautifully blended one into another, that they cause the little creature to appear quite as lovely as its flaring cousins. The upper surface of the disc is of a rich umber brown, merging into lavender-colour towards the edge; the petals brown, blotched and speckled with white, and the base white, passing into pink, then lilac, and becoming purple as it joins the disc.
But of all the flowers that bloom in the sea, perhaps the plumose anemone[1] is the most magnificent. It is much taller than any of the creatures we have described, and excels them in delicacy of colouring; pure white, pearly grey, or faint rose, taking the place of scarlet, olive, or brown. It is, indeed, a creature of surpassing loveliness, and has justly been styled the maiden queen of all the beautiful tribe.
The sea-anemones are terribly voracious, devouring everything that comes within their reach. We are not romancing, dear reader, these flowers of the
- ↑ Actinia Dianthus.
