80 APLYSIA. Class VI. 



3. ViRiDis. Laplysia. Mont, in Lin. Tr. vii. p. 76. tab. "J. f. \. 



Green. 



* Apl. with the fore part of the body like a 

 common Umax or slug ; tentacula two, all (ex- 

 .. cept the under part which is paler) of a bright 



grass-green color, marked on different parts 

 with azure spots ; the shield is not discernible. 

 This beautiful animal, not having what is 

 deemed in this genus the second, or foremost 

 pair of tentacula, tends to confirm Bohadsch's 

 assertion that the genus has really but one pair 

 of feelers, as the two other appendages, in the 

 front of the head, are altered in their form and 

 appearance according to the will of the animal, 

 and sometimes to that degree, that they have 

 not at all the resemblance of horns or tenta- 

 cula. This observation consequently seems to 

 justify his definition of the genus, corpus subo- 

 ratum, dorsum labiosum, tentacula in fronte 

 duo aur'iformia.* 



* Mr. Montagu, In his description of this species, takes an 

 opportunity of controverting the generally received opinion, that 

 the Apl. depilans has an offensive smell, or is poisonous to the 

 touch. Mr. Sowerly makes the same remark, and seems to at= 

 tribute to it the merit of producing the Tyrian dye. Ed. 



