Mr. J. Alder on the Animal of Kellia rubra. 55 
May 31st.—I procured from Gwyllyn Vase several fine and 
healthy specimens of K. rubra and K.suborbicularis. The K. rubra 
protruded its siphons, and the ingress of water, &c. was very ap- 
parent, as also the ejectment of feeces per posterior siphon, within a 
few minutes after immersion.— KX. suborbicularis : ingress of water 
per anterior siphon and egress of feeces per posterior siphon :—at 
intervals a slight spasmodic twitch of valves, but unable to detect 
a discharge of water per anterior siphon. [Here follows a re- 
gister of observations daily made from the 1st to the 8th of 
June with the same result, excepting that on the 7th, when the 
water was changed, K. suborbicularis showed “a discharge of 
water per anterior siphon.” 8th. K. suborbicularis: this action 
“subdued—flow of water per (into) anterior siphon regular.” | 
From the 4th to the noon of the 7th they were allowed to re- 
main in the glass without changing the water: in the evening 
of that day I put them into fresh water. The A. rubra absorbed 
the water and its contents freely and ejected faeces ; and although 
I employed powerful glasses, was unable to detect any (egress) 
current either anteriorly or posteriorly. Not so with A. subor- 
bicularis. It imbibed water freely and ejected feces sparingly ; 
as well as passing a stream from the anterior siphon. I believe 
that the operation of ejecting water anteriorly by A. suborbicu- 
laris (with all my tact I have not been able to detect a current 
from the anterior siphon of K. rubra) is performed by the ani- 
mal in health with little muscular effort ; but when in confine- 
ment, poorly supplied with food, and that not to its taste, it 
becomes atrophized and feeble, consequently every effort of the 
will is demonstrable. 
The Lichina pygmea is very common with us on the rocks, 
and is covered twice a day by the tide to the height of several 
feet. It forms a good retreat for K. rubra and Turtonia minuta. 
The Lichina confinis is also plentiful on our rocks, but is gene- 
rally out of the reach of the waves, although it sips the spray 
often. I have gathered a great deal of L. confinis, but never 
found a univalve or bivalve shell attached to it or near it. The 
Kellia rubra with us is found in situations within tide-marks, 
covered twice a day with the sea. 
I am, dear Sir, yours very truly, 
J. Alder, Esq. W..P. Cocks. 
My DEAR Sir, Falmouth, June 16, 1849. 
The Kellia rubra and K. suborbicularis tmbibe water freely ; 
and constantly by their anterior siphons. We have had with us 
into fresh sea-water, and is probably a means of cleansing the branchial 
cavity from the effete water and bathing those organs more completely in 
the purer element.—J. A. 
