15S Dr Grant on the structure of the Lernoca dorigata, 



with, and imbedded in a soft glandular mass of a yellow co- 

 lour, and consisting of innumerable small lobes, filling the great- 

 er part of the abdominal cavity. This glandular substance 

 corresponds in situation and appearance with the liver of 

 crustaceous and molluscous animals. The abdominal pa- 

 rietes consisted of a double membrane, with numerous strong 

 longitudinal fasciculi of muscular fibres interposed between 

 them. The muscular bands were strongest on the sides. 

 There were some loose portions of coarse circular fibres ad- 

 hering to the outside of the body, which fell off on first hand- 

 ling the specimen. Two white longitudinal filaments running 

 along the back part of the abdominal cavity, appeared to be 

 nerves continued from the oesophageal ganglion of the head. 

 The wide intestinal canal contracted as it approached the two 

 external protuberances, between which it opened at the base 

 of the body. The anus lay on the back part of the depres- 

 sion between these labial protuberances, and a minute aper- 

 ture, (o,) like the puncture of a needle, was seen on the fore part 

 of that depression. I could perceive no indications of a cir- 

 culating system in this animal, although it was carefully dis- 

 sected under pure water, and examined with the aid of lenses. 

 Blainville was equally unsuccessful in his attempts to discover 

 traces of a circulation, although he believes in its existence, 

 on the reports of those who have examined I.erncecB alive. 

 The absence of a circulating system would remove the Ler- 

 ncece to a place much below the class of molluscous animals, in 

 which Linnaeus, Bruguieres, Ocken, and many other natural- 

 ists have placed this genus. 



The two ovaria, of great size and length, hang by very nar- 

 row oviducts, (Jl)hom deep depressions on the outside of the la- 

 bial protuberances. They resemble the enlarged figure of those 

 of the L. clavata given by Muller, {Zool. Dan, PI. XXXIII. 

 Fig. 1. 6.) They were quite straight, cylindrical, of equal thick- 

 ness throughout, distended with ova, glistening, and smooth on 

 the surface, and regularly rounded at both extremities. The 

 delicate membrane containing the ova is so transparent and co- 

 lourless, that the angular forms of the ova can easily be per- 

 ceived through it. The ova viewed through the coat of the 

 ovarium appear regular hexagonal bodies of an opaque yellow 



