THE EOLIS. 103 



here were more Eolids thrown into my hands than most 

 men ever see in a lifetime. 



The Eolis (Plate II., fig. 1) is a sea-slug, but in spite 

 of this ill-sounding name, the sea has few creatures more 

 elegant in form, more exquisite in colour. In size it ranges 

 from one-tenth of an inch to three inches in length. The 

 commonest and least handsome species, E. ^Jop/Z/osa, is 

 about an inch or an inch and a-half long, the back being 

 densely studded with slate-coloured club-like projections, 

 called branchial papilla?, so like in colour to the rock it 

 brawls over, that often only an experienced eye can detect it. 

 The more elegant species, such as Eolis pellucida, or elegans, 

 or Lansbergii, shoidd be sought for every Aquarium, care 

 being taken to keep them out of the way of the Anemones, 

 which they mercilessly attack. Believe in no woodcut repre- 

 sentations of these exquisite creatures ; all Avoodcuts are 

 libels. The plates of Alder and Hancock's magnificent 

 monograph approach as near to the beauty of nature as can 

 be expected of plates ; but even they necessarily fall short 

 of the delicacy of tissue and witchery of colour often dis- 

 played by these animals. There is nothing but actual pos- 

 session which ought to satisfy you ; and possession is not 

 diflicult. Order Mr Alford Lloyd — that enterprising devotee 

 to the wants of naturalists and amateurs* — to get you a few 

 specimens, and it will not be long before your eye is delighted 

 with the beauty of the animal I am now about to dissect in 

 your presence. 



We delicately lay open the back to expose the stomach, 



* Ml- Lloyd's address is 19 and 20 Portland Road, Regent's Park. 



