543 



tcntacula did not appear divided, and irregular, or one 

 fmaller ihan the other, as defcribed, and figured by El- 

 lis, and afterwards by Martini, who has evidently 

 copied from the former ; but are thrown out and ex- 

 panded fo as to form a regular circle; the feathers, or 

 ciliated fibres that compofe the tentacula, are longer on 

 the upper part than beneath. It is probable, an unna- 

 tural divifionof thefe fibres, in a preferved fpecimen from 

 Malta, had milled the accurate eye of fo great a natu- 

 ralift, for if Mr. Ellis had ever had an opportunity of 

 examining the living animal, he would have given a 

 much more correct and elegant figure of the beautiful 

 plumofe tentacula. 



To Mr. Henry Boys o'i Sanducich, we are not only 

 indebted for the knowledge of this Sabella being found 

 at Wkit/lable in Kent, and not uncommon abonx. South- 

 fea Ciifile near Portfmouth, on fiones at low water-mark, 

 but for feveral well executed drawings, accompanied by 

 a very correft defcription. 



The body is flattened, long, with numerous joints and 



fafciculi ; a reflfCled, fcalloped membrane round the 



neck; tentacula two, furnilhed with about twenty-four 



long fibres, or feathers, ciliated on both fides;* thcfeare 



of 



* Mr. Boys obferved twenty-four in oiie, and twer.ty-onc in the other. 

 The .v«/rtn(/iz are capable of great contraction ; in which ftate, as well alive 

 as in> thoL- preferved in fplrits, tiie fibres appear feathered only on one fide, 

 by rc-.ifon ot their clofing ; in this fhte they areiprefented by Ei.lis. 



