230 POPULAR BraxisH conchology. 



pellucida. The golden spots were confined to the upper 

 parts of the bodj^ They were few in number, but consi- 

 derably larger and less regular in form than the azure dots. 

 Two of them, for instance, were oblong, and extended from 

 the ear-like tentacula down to the eyes, which were placed 

 on the back of the neck, as if to keep watch against the ene- 

 mies from beliind, while it was busy feeding on the rich pas- 

 ture afforded by the green Codmm. . . . The membrane 

 that acts as fins is of the same colour and substance as the 

 body. ... At the base of each fin, and pretty close to the 

 backj there could be seen, when the light was favourable, 

 all along the inside, a line like the midrib of a leaf; and 

 from this double midrib there proceeded at intervals, veins 

 in a slanting direction to the upper margin of each fin ; so 

 that when the two fins were expanded, it was like a green- 

 veined leaf. To this appearance it may at times owe its 

 safety, by deceiving the eye of prowlers. The description of 

 the mouth, given in the quotation, suited my specimens, 

 except that in them the margin of the ujjpei' lip was black. 

 The lower lip and part of the throat were quite white, and 

 were the only parts that had none of the azure dots. Could 

 I transfer to the printed page a coloured drawing of it by 

 my daughter, a single glance would give a better idea of 



