APLYSIA THE SEA-HARE. 497 



delicate filament, which is fixed to their tail, or to the 

 posterior extremity of the " foot." In this way they 

 will let themselves gradually to the bottom, or remain 

 for some time pendent in the water without apparent 

 support, for the thread is so transparent that it is 

 scarcely visible. When carefully looked for, how- 

 ever, it can always be perceived, originating in a track 

 of mucus, forming a small inverted cone at the point 

 from which the thread issues, and slightly dimpling 

 the surface of the water ; if alarmed, the animal falls 

 at once to the bottom. This is effected by the foot 

 quitting its hold on the suspending filament, when 

 the mollusk, being specifically heavier than the sur- 

 rounding element, immediately sinks. 



In deep pools, at very low tides, the explorer of 

 the beach will sometimes meet with an interesting 

 Gasteropod of very striking appearance, named the 

 APLYSIA (PI. VIII. fig. 10), and which, we are happy 

 to say, it is no longer felony to pick up. In former 

 times, to search after the " Sea-hare " such is its 

 English name was to render oneself suspected ; and 

 when Apuleius was accused of magic, because forsooth 

 he had married a rich widow, the principal proof 

 against him was that he had hired fishermen to pro- 

 cure him this animal. It were indeed long to tell 



. . . . " what drugs, what charms, 

 What conjuration, and what mighty magic," 



these villanous sea-slugs are stated to have fur- 

 nished, either to brew the deadly-venomed bowl, or 

 " poison a young maid's affections ;" for widely ope- 

 rative was their malignant influence. 



" Few mollusks," writes Professor Forbes, " have 



