Mr C. Collier o)i Univalves, ggl 



neously, by a celebrated naturalist, to bivalves, which is found 

 in every species of Strovibus, in Trochus turritus, and a species 

 (vertagus ?) of Murex. It is inclosed in a sheath that passes 

 parallel to, and by the side of, the oesophagus, to the stomach, 

 into which the stiletto enters, leaving its covering. That end 

 which lies within the stomach is obtuse, laminated, and fixed 

 by a hook of similar substance to its situation. The upper 

 portion is circular, homogeneous, slightly tapering, transparent, 

 of gelatinous consistence, and resembling somewhat a pistil, with 

 its stigma. 



In every species of the genus Conus (excepting that like 

 Strombus), and one species of Murex (M. Coins), there is found 

 within the cavity containing the proboscis or tube, a bulbous 

 crescent-shaped body (not unlike, and of the dimensions of, a 

 bean), having a cavity* and a duct, five or six inches long, cu- 

 riously contorted, coming off from its apex. This duct pene- 

 traies the oesophagus, just at its commencement, close to the 

 brain, through a mucous gland, and a thick white fluid escapes 

 when it is divided. The cavity of the body is empty in general. 



The opportunities of observing individuals of the genus 

 Serpula are unfrequent at Trincomali, and mine have been con- 

 fined to a very few specimens of the species lumbricalis and 

 aquaria. These are not, as is observed by M. Cuvier, attached 

 by muscles to their covering. The former resides rather like a 

 parasitic inhabitant, within its narrow tube ; the latter is closely 

 connected to its shell, by adhesion to a thick membrane, which 

 lines it throughout. The lumbricalis is furnished with an 

 operculum f, small slender tentacula, a fleshy mouth, a short 

 serrated tongue, a delicate oesophagus, passing, as in moUusca, 

 to the stomach ; the lung and mantle of a bright orange hue, 

 the liver of a greyish apjiearance. The aquaria^ in two speci- 

 mens, did not correspond with the supposition of M. Cuvier j. 



terns par Willis, Swaiumerdani, el d'autres, niais que M. I'oli a decrite plus 

 en detail, sous le nom de Stylet Crystallin — Cuvier, Anat. Coinp. t. iv. p. 123. 



• This cavity is longitudinal as to the body, small at either end, and dila- 

 ting towards the centre. 



f llegne Animal, t. ii. p. 522. 



X The operculum has an appearance, as if formed by irregular depositions, 

 ditieriiig ("roiu any other. 



