GASTEROPODA. 287 



The Sea-Hares {A^lysia) frequently found in 

 fishermen's nets. W hen captured and put into a 

 vessel of water, they have the power of discharging, 



Fig. 226. — SEA-HARE. 



in great abundance, a fluid of a rich purple hue, 

 which quickly diffuses its colour through the water. 

 The Sea-Hare is a harmless creature that lives en- 

 tirely upon seaweeds and fuci ; nevertheless, it was 

 formerly dreaded as a most potent poison, and strange 

 tales are told of the atrocities committed by its 



Oedee Ixfeeobranchiata.* 



These Gasteropods very much resemble Slugs in 

 their general appearance, but their branchiae con- 

 sist of leaflets arranged like a fringe, along both sides 

 of the body, protected by the border of the mantle, 

 which is of a leathery texture, and without any shell : 

 their mouth is a little proboscis, provided on each 

 side with a short tentacle (Fig. 227). 



* Inferus, helov^ : branchiae, gills — gills situated at the under part 

 of the body. 



