164 APHRODITA. 



1. APHRODITA CIEROSA. Plate XXIV. Figs. 1, 2. 



Length three inches : breadth half an inch. Form linear, nearly of 

 equal breadth, throughout flattened, covered by thirteen pair of scales, 

 ai'ranged in two rows, nearly parallel, and spreading over the sides, as 

 well as over the head. The whole upper surface presents a gelatinous 

 appearance, especially when under water. Two stout setaceous antennas 

 issue from the head, besides which, there are six bristles with an enlarge- 

 ment towards the extremity. At the root of each of the two antennae 

 are seated two black eyes. The sides of the body are bordered by forty- 

 four or forty-five pencils issuing from nipples, with an external red spot 

 at the roots, and denoting division into as many segments. The head is 

 red ; the colour of the upper surface faint purple, the under surface of 

 fine pearly, somewhat iridescent aspect, traversed by a vivid red line. 

 The true colour of the animal is perhaps reddish. The late accomplished 

 artist, Mr Peter Syme, acquainted me, that in executing drawings from 

 the living specimen represented here, he found some difficulty in fixing 

 the precise hue. 



When the scales are detached, each irregularly circular, is about 

 three-eighths of an inch in diameter, with an aperture rather of a spheri- 

 cal triangular form towards one side. They seem vascular or susceptible 

 of distension, and when detached, each resembles a flat drop of pale grey 

 or purplish jelly. It is from the peculiar nature of the whole that the 

 upper surface seems gelatinous. 



The motion of the animal is very swift, half running, half swimming. 

 But it likewise swims rapidly through the water, and with much more 

 facility than any other of its tribe. 



Probably the Aphrodita cirrosa preys on living animals, nor does it 

 spare even its own species. Of two specimens procured at the same time, 

 the one was large and fine, two inches and a half in length ; the other 

 not quite half as long, but proportionally broader. After living peace- 

 ably together during two or three days, I was surprised to find the former 

 attempting to devour its companion. One-half was absorbed into its 



