QLAUCUS. Glaums Pacificus 

 UORIS. Doris Johnstoni. 



DENDRONOTUS. Dcndrondtus arborescens. 

 DOTO.Doto corondta. EOLIS. 'Eolis corondia 



sides of. the animals. Many of these strange creatures are to be found on the British 

 coasts ; and if the reader should wish to gain a further insight into their habits, and to 

 examine the marvellous forms which the different genera assume, as well as their 

 exquisitely delicate and varied colouring, he is referred to the magnificent work of 

 Messrs. Alder and Hancock, published by the Eay Society. The entire structure of 

 the Nudibranchs is most curious and well worthy of examination, but is too purely 

 anatomical for admission into these pages. A few, however, of the more notable 

 structures will be mentioned in the course of our description. 



THE slug-like animal which is represented crawling on the frond of a laminaria, at the 

 left-hand of the engraving, is the common DOEIS of our own shores. All the members 

 of the family to which this creature belongs may be known by the plume-like gills set in 

 a circle on the middle of the back, like the feathery coronet with which the Blackfoot 

 Indian adorns the head of his horse, and the two tentacles placed more towards the 

 front. In the skin are imbedded a vast number of little spiculse. 



In the genus Doris both the tentacles and the gills can be drawn within the body at 

 the will of the animal ; and the mantle, which is pierced to permit the passage of 

 the gills and tentacles, is very large and covers the foot, as well as the whole upper 

 surface. All the nudibranchs are carnivorous, and feed .chiefly on zoophytes. The sea- 

 anemones are favourite prey of these voracious creatures, and many an enthusiastic 

 naturalist has gained a knowledge of their habits at the expense of his special favourites ; 

 for whenever a nudibranch is placed in the same aquarium with specimens of actiniae it 

 is sure to attack them, eating great holes in their substance, and, if not removed, will be 

 as destructive as a hungry fox in a poultry-yard. 



THE next family is represented by two species, each of which will be briefly described, 

 tn this family, called Tritonidse, the gills are arranged in lines along the sides of the 

 back, and the tentacles can be withdrawn into their sheaths. 



