CHITONS NUDIBRANCHIATE GASTEROPODS. 505 



their travels first, while those of slow and studious 

 constitutions would remain as long as a fortnight 

 before resolving to see the world for themselves." 



The beautiful and very problematical race of CHI- 

 TONS (PL VIII. fig. 13), which may be met with on 

 every coast, attached to rocks, stones, or shells, have 

 peculiar claims upon the attention of the aquariist, 

 inasmuch as they are at present perfect zoologica 

 puzzles, and even the class of animals to which they 

 belong is a disputed point. Unlike any other mol- 

 lusks, their bodies are protected by a series of shelly 

 plates, resembling the scaly armour of the warrior 

 (^trwv, a coat of mail), and were classed by the old 

 conchologists as " multivalves." Some writers re- 

 gister them with the Annelidans, and perhaps there 

 may be some points of resemblance; but, as our 

 knowledge stands at present, we prefer to regard 

 them as Gasteropods, which, with the exception of 

 their shells, they closely resemble. The observant 

 aquariist, who, while resident upon the coast, by ob- 

 taining their eggs, shall succeed in ascertaining the 

 form they assume in their embryo condition, will 

 make an important discovery and confer a boon upon 

 science. 



The Nudibranchiate Gasteropods, as they are called, 

 distinguishable by their shell-less bodies, elegantly 

 decked with branchial tufts or plumes, sometimes 

 most gaily ornamented, next demand a passing notice. 

 Doris, with gills resembling an expanded flower, dis- 

 played upon the hinder region of the back ; and Eolis, 

 adorned with painted ornaments, most gracefully 

 disposed, bedight with tints so brilliant and harmo- 



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