Polynoe scabra, 331 



1. P. SCABRA. 



1. p. oblongo-linearisy citiereoy scabra; squamis duodecim paribus^ 

 imbricatisj ovaiis, granulatis^ margine externo ciliatis, noii 

 deciduis. 



Aphrodita scabra. Fabrkiiis, Faun. Grocn., p. 311. 

 Turt. Linn. iv. p. 80. 2\irt. Comp. 136. StenaurCs 

 Elements^ i. p. 387. 



Hub. ■ The sea : common on the British shores. 



Desc. Body rather more than an inch long, depressed, linear- 

 oblong, of equal breadth at both ends, of a uniform cinereous 

 colour, and roughish. Scales twelve on each side, rather large, 

 imbricate, ovate, granulate, ciliated on the external margin. The 

 anterior are smaller than the others, and completely cover the 

 head, which is a small, subtriangular, pink coloured or purple 

 corneous plate furnished with four small eyes. Lateral tentacular 

 filaments white, with a blackish ring at the bulb where the acu- 

 mination commences. Veet., twenty-four or twenty-five on each 

 side M'ith a few fleshy spines on their inferior aspect, armed with 

 a row of strong short straw-yellow metallic bristles. Ventral sur- 

 face smooth, straw-colour, prismatic, marked with the viscera, and 

 sometimes spotted with black near the base of the feet. Tail 

 with filaments. 



This species differs remarkably from those which follow in the 

 tenacity with which the dorsal scales adhere. Those species are 

 deprived of them by the slightest friction, or even by simple im- 

 mersion in fresh water, but in the species now described they are 

 only to be removed by force, and are often torn in the attempt. 



Of the synonjmes quoted -we are certain only of that of 

 Fabricius. In the descriptions of Turtou and Stewart there are 

 some particulars which will not apply to our animal, and yet it is 

 probably the species they intended. We follow Turton in placing 

 here the pedunculata of Pennant. Mr. Stewart makes it synony- 

 mous with his A. plana, and it is impossible, either from the 

 description or figure, to suy which is right. 



