APHRODITA. 165 
strong and capacious proboscis, while the victim struggled desperately to 
be free. The assailant, after retaining the prey for some time, was reluc- 
tantly compelled to disgorge it. But the suffering animal’s back was broke, 
and some of the scales ruffled off by the rude assault. Next morning 
only half of the whole remained, the other portion having been devoured, 
and the victor now darted out the proboscis repeatedly to finish its meal 
on the rest as it lay in a corner, this organ, like a hard substance, strik- 
ing the glass. 
This species, like others of the genus, is liable to lose the scales. 
But individuals are tenacious of life. First, the scales separate, and the 
body ruptures asunder, yet both portions survive for some time. 
In the middle of July, a large specimen produced an immense num- 
ber, not fewer than 10,000 ova, or perhaps more. This great pro- 
fusion, accumulated on the bottom of a glass vessel, was of reddish hue. 
The individual ovum was minute, white, and globular to the naked eye ; 
but exposing a darker nucleus under the microscope, within its transpa- 
rent integument. 
I know not whether the eyes of this, or of any other species of the 
Aphrodita, are confluent. A large specimen, not shorter than three 
inches and a half, having reached me from Shetland in June, totally 
divested of the scales, besides suffermg other injuries, I could discover 
only two eyes, of a rude oval form. By eyes, I mean a dark formation 
on the usual place of eyes. I concluded this to be a specimen of the 
Cirrosa. It had forty-four or forty-five pencils. 
This Aphrodita is the largest, at least the longest, of what I consi- 
der the genuine race inhabiting the Scotish seas. Like the rest, its 
favourite retreat is under the surface of shells, where it adheres in a re- 
versed position. Itis extremely timid, roaming abroad at night, and like 
the rest, apparently watching for prey. It is rare. 
Prats XXIV. 
Fic. 1. Aphrodita cirrosa, back. 
2. Belly. 
