The Naked Sea Slugs I 



ish, dotted with black, and often roughly tuberculated. It i 



rarely exceeds three inches in length. Look for it at low tide in ; 



shallow pools or in tangles of seaweed. It is worthy of study j 



in a jar of sea water. ! 



It is a diverting thought, and an enlightening one, that these j 



helpless creatures are protected by the expedient of wearing j 



their arborescent "liver and lights" on the outside. Sea ane- j 



mones are known as bad-tasting creatures, with projectile stingers I 



which they cast at the least suspicion of attack. Hence, resem- (j 



blance to anemones is a strong defence to any nudibranch. One \ 



little slug carries an anemone on its back. Many feed upon the ' 



anemones they imitate, often hiding in the capacious bodies j 



they devour piecemeal. Those that feed upon ascidians, sea ( 



fans, hydroids and corals imitate in their branching cerata the j 



tentacles of these creatures, as well as their colouring. I 



250 



