NUDIBRAXCHIATA OF THE L.M.B.C. DISTRICT. 153 



Finally, another Doris was dropped gently into a fourth 

 tank containing a conger eel so as to fall in front of its 

 nose, but although the fish passed close to the nudibranch 

 several times while under observation it apparently took 

 no notice of it, and certainly made no attempt to seize it. 



From these nine experiments there can be but little 

 doubt that Doris hilamellata is distasteful to these eight 

 kinds of fish. This w^as an unexpected result, as the Doris 

 has no stinging apparatus, and certainly seems to be pro- 

 tectively coloured. The distastefulness may be due either 

 to the spicules in the skin or to the abundant mucus 

 covering the body. 



II. February 21st, 1890. [AVe brought a large supply of 

 Ancula cristata, and a few specimens of Dendronotus 

 arhorescens, Corypltella rujiJ>ran('hialis,Sjiid Galvinajjicta, 

 which we had collected at Hilbre Island the previous 

 evening. Mr. Moore, Mr. K. Paden, and Woods 

 w^ere present. Notes were taken by Professor 

 Herdman.j 



Mr. Moore and Professor Herdman each eat an 

 Ancula. The specimen was placed alive upon the 

 tongue. No stinging or other disagreeable sensation 

 was perceived. It was then chew^ed slowly and swal- 

 lowed. The taste was pleasant, and distinctly like 

 that of an oyster. 



Ancula cristata. 

 A. Shanny Tank : — 



Ancula 1. — Seized and rejected by a fish and then bolted 

 suddenly by a second. 

 2. — Seized when falling and rejected by ten fish 



in rapid succession. 

 8. — Seized when falling and swallowed by a fish. 



