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PENTACT.E. 



Bute, links the family of Psolidse with that of Pentactse ; 

 but, wanting a ventral disk, appertains rather to the latter 

 group than to the former. The Psolinus brevis is about 

 half an inch in length, of an ovate form, with both its 

 extremities bent upwards. The body is of a pinkish white 

 colour, and covered with delicate skin, minutely papillated. 

 There are five rows of suckers, which range single, six or 

 seven in a row, distant from each other ; those of the con- 

 vex or undermost side are very long and always bent, the 

 bending seeming to depend on some peculiarity of organis- 

 ation, and not on the will of the animal. The posterior 

 part of the body is very obtuse, but the anterior tapers to 

 a narrow neck. The tentacula are very long, white, and 

 digitated at their extremities. 



Internally we find a well developed intestinal tube, but 

 no gizzard ; moderately developed respiratory trees, few 

 genital tubes, and one oesophageal sac. The teeth are short 

 and truncate. 



In its habits it appears sluggish as regards progressive 

 motion, but moves about its tentacula freely. 



