258 Mr. H.J. Carter on the Red Colouring Matter of the Sea 



dark orange-red spots, set wide apart from each other. Head 

 rather produced and rounded, also spotted with red. Mouth 

 circular, small, situated in front, without veil or tentacles. 

 Branchial plumes 15 or 16, situated on the posterior third of 

 the back, round a large disk, in the centre of which is the vent. 

 Plumes long, downy, closely set, pure white, with a longitu- 

 dinal bright-red streak on the back of each ; slightly contrac- 

 tile, but they do not retract into a cavity ; when extended, 

 they resemble a small tuft of marabout feathers. Genital 

 orifice in a nipple-like process situated between the anterior 

 and middle third of body. 

 Foot long and broad, terminating posteriorly in a lancet-shaped 

 point, about ^ inch from the body ; white, with a delicate light 

 orange-red line on the edge ; this line is carried partially on 

 each side of the head. Tentacles 2, dorsal, short, conical, 

 pointed ; upper half indistinctly laminated ; of a light orange- 

 red colour at tip; base colourless, transparent. 



Found on rocks and sea-weed, near ' Sober Island.* 



This elegant creature does not resemble any of the described 

 species. 



I have ventured to make a distinct genus of this animal, and 

 dedicate it to Sir Walter Trevelyan, to whom I am so much in- 

 debted for the liberal aid he has given me in my researches into 

 the natural history of Ceylon. 



The form of the body is not unlike that of the genus Ancula. 

 Its nearest approach in other particulars is to Polycera. 



They are short-lived in a vivarium. Ova yellow , deposited in 

 bead-like coils. They generally deposit the coils on twigs of 

 sea-weed. Sometimes this animal resembles a miniature fantail 

 pigeon, particularly when perched on sea-weed, with the small 

 marabout plumes elongated. 



XXIII. — Note on the Red Colouring Matter of the Sea round the 

 Shores of the Island of Bombay. By H. J. Cartee, Esq., 

 H.C.S. Bombay*. 



From " the plagues of Egypt*^ down to the present day, the 

 blood-red colour which occasionally makes its appearance in 

 fresh and salt water has been an object of wonder. Numbers of 

 instances of it are recorded by navigators of all ages,, as may be 

 seen by reference to M. C. Dareste's excellent ' Memoire^ on the 



* Communicated by the author; having been read at the Bombay Branch 

 of the Royal Asiatic Society, January 14, 1858. 



