MOLLUSCS. 



139 



regarded as a very rudimentary organ for the per- 

 ception of light. The skin is thrown into a pit, within 

 which the epithelial cells are elongated and pigmented. 



In the sea-ear (Haliotis), and in Trochus (Fig. 93), 

 the arrangement is similar, but the depression is 

 deeper, the mouth is very much restricted, and the 

 interior is iilled by a vitreous body. 



In Murex (Fig. 94) the eye is still further developed, 

 and is entirely closed in, a lens being present. 



Fig. 94.— Eye of Murex brandaris (after Hilger). L, Lens; 61, Titreous body; 

 A'o, nerve. 



In the snail (Helix) the eye is still more highly 

 organized. It consists of a cornea, which lies imme- 

 diately below the skin ; a lens, behind which is the 

 retina, consistina; of three layers, (1) the rods, (2) a 

 cellular layer, (3) a fibrous layer. Thi>i, indeed, appears 



