110 Mr. Montagu's Description of several Marine Animals 



when the first coat is removed, the remaining part is q.uite hya- 

 line, and the animal nearly as distinctly seen as through glass. 



This new and interesting species I discovered in the estuary of 

 Kings bridge, near the Salt stone, but not common, and only 

 uncovered at the lowest ebb of spring tides. The case is buried 

 beneath the surface, and is only discoverable by a small portion 

 above, appearing like a piece of black jelly. When the tide re- 

 turns, the animal displays its beautiful tentacula, but rarely ex- 

 poses its body. Confined in a glass of sea water, it sickens in a 

 few days; and if not changed, evacuates its tube and dies. 



In its native abode it recedes on the least alarm, and when the 

 gelatinous case is taken in the hand, and the animal is extended 

 within it, the sudden contraction within the tremulous tube 

 produces a singular, and instantaneous, vibrative shock to the 

 parts in contact, that, being unexpected, creates surprise. 



The essential character of this species is the connected fibres 

 of the tentacula, in which it differs from all others hitherto de- 

 scribed. 



Te RE BELLA TENTAC ULATA. 



Tab. VI. Fig, 2. 



Body long and slender, composed of more than two hundred 

 annulations, each furnished with two fasciculi of very minute 

 bristles : no eyes : branchiae obscure : from the sides issue very 

 long, red, capillary appendages, most numerous near the anterior 

 end, but the point, or snout, is destitute of them, and becomes 

 more acuminated ; the mouth is placed beneath : the posterior 

 end is also obtusely pointed. 



Length eight or nine inches. 



The colour of the upper part is olive-green, the under part 

 dull orange. 



The lateral filiform appendages are continually in motion, ap- 

 pearing 



