384 SIR C. ELIOT ON NUDIBRANCHS [DeC. 1, 



The teeth are simply hamate ; the innermost are smaller ; the 

 outermost smaller and imperfect in shape, bifid or irregulai'ly 

 serrulate. The stomach is large, muscular, and free from the 

 liver. ISTo armature was visible in the reproductive apparatus, 

 and the genital orifices were unusually small and inconspicuous. 



On the right side of the liver was found a parasite (PI. XXXIY, 

 fig. 4), extending from the fore end halfway down, the head being 

 bent downwards round the fore end of the liver. The impression 

 of the parasite on the liver was very distinct. 



This form has not the hard feeling characteristic of Sderodoris, 

 but as the back is leathery, reticulate, and granulate, I hardly 

 think it advisable to create a new genus for its reception. 



30. AsTERONOTUS HEMPRiCHi Ehr. (Plate XXXIV. figs. 5 & 6.) 

 [Ehrenberg, Symbolte Physicas, Animalia Evertebrata, 1831.] 

 This large animal is common under rocks at Zanzibar and in all 

 parts of British East Africa, between tides. 



It has a charactei'istic feeling like leather or india-rubber, and 

 not hard or rough like Platydoris. The ground-colour vaiies 

 from black to olive or chocolate-brown. The skin is quite smooth, 

 but bears a number of irregulai- lumps, resembling blisters in 

 appearance. Towards the edges of the mantle they are smaller 

 and somewhat confluent. Down the centi'e of the back runs a 

 more or less elevated ridge, varying much in different specimens. 

 All these protuberances are of a much lighter tint than the rest 

 of the body. In some specimens there are small white lines round 

 the lumps. The large branchiae are white or piirkish. The under- 

 side of the mantle is light yellow, with a row of chocolate blotches 

 forming a line round the margin of the mantle and another round 

 the foot. The coloration shown in the figure (Plate XXXIV. 

 fig. 5), though an accurate representation of some specimens, is 

 not the commonest. The greater number of individuals are more 

 distinctly green. The animals are sluggish and show little 

 inclination to move. The branchiae are comparatively insensitive. 

 Though completely retractile, they are not hidden when the teeth 

 close over the pocket, but can be clearly seen at the bottom of the 

 cavity (PI. XXIV. fig. 6). 



The largest alcoholic specimen measures 8'3 cm. in length by 6, 

 and is 2-4 cm. high. The foot is 6 in length by 1-5 ; the anterior 

 margin is deeply notched and grooved, the upper flap being very 

 ample. The tentacles are large and in two specimens show a 

 rudimentary foliation resembling that of Hexabranchus. This 

 may be due to artificial compression, but I am not sure. The lips 

 are also ample and protruding, so as to look like a second pair of 

 tentacles. The rhinophore-pockets are somewhat raised and 

 smooth, sometimes distinctly bilabiate. The branchiae are six, 

 ample, and quadripinnate. The margin of the pocket is produced 

 into six lobes, which partially close over it. The radula consists 

 of about^ 32 rows, each containing about 45 large yellow teeth on 

 either side of the wide, naked rhachis. The teeth are simply 

 hamate : the outermost two or three ai'e smaller, and the inner- 



