84 MISCELLANEOUS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



LEPAS CYPREA (Scaphellum vulgaref) Plate XIX., Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4. 



THIS animal was brought on the 23d October 1828. From its gene- 

 ral nature it is of the same order as the ordinary Lepas. 



The whole is about an inch and a quarter long, which may be con- 

 sidered as divided into two portions : the under half a cartilaginous 

 peduncle, slightly corrugated ; the upper half resembling a flat or thin 

 hood, with a dilateable elliptical slit, about half an inch long, and open- 

 ing an eighth of an inch, when the animal protrudes. 



The exterior of the hood is variegated, dull white and brown : the 

 peduncle dull white, semitransparent. 



This peduncle is flexible, as the animal can turn the opening of the 

 hood in any direction. 



The animal protrudes about nine pair of feathered tentacula, of a 

 pale carnation, the largest extending about half an inch. 



The same alternate display and retraction of the tentacula is ex- 

 hibited as in the common Lepas. When inactive the hood is closed, and 

 probably the animal sinks down somewhat under it, to judge by what is 

 discernible through the sides. For there seems a shortening of the por- 

 tion within the peduncle, along with the animal's retrocession. As it 

 rises the hood is opened, always widening as the plume protrudes from 

 the labiae, which are reddish within. The motion is slow and alternate ; 

 protrusion and recession not above eight or ten times in a minute. 



