VALENCINIA LINEFORMIS. 207 



others blunt and rounded (woodcut, fig. 14). The snout has an opaque- white central streak. 

 No pigment-specks are present. 



The species was procured whilst digging for Triapulus caudatus and Annelids at 

 Lochmaddy. Its habits and motions are like those of other species. As usual with white 

 forms, immersion in spirit gives a yellowish hue. On transverse section its anatomy is 

 found to agree with the foregoing, and especially with the variety from Balta having the bifid 

 proboscis, for the inner (longitudinal) muscular coat of the body-wall shows a marked tendency 

 to separation in the middle line of the dorsum. 



I was inclined to consider this species a doubtful variety of Carinella annulata until I 

 saw the manuscript of the accomplished Montagu containing the description of u Linens 

 linearis" He says — " L. linearis, with a cream-coloured body. Long, slender, considerably 

 extensible and tenacious ; the anterior end largest, sometimes clavated and flattened, at other 

 times pointed ; frequently that part is observed to be alternately inflated and contracted, while 

 the rest of the body is quiescent. Length 5 or 6 inches when extended, but usually contracted 

 to 3 or 4. This species inhabits the sandy shore at Dawlish, about five or six inches beneath 

 the surface at low water. Like the marinus, its motion consists of contortion and variation in 

 size of different parts of the body at the same time. A tenacious slime exudes from its body, 

 which, collecting sand, readily forms a covering like a Sabella." 



The Valencinia longirostris of M. de Quatrefages has certain affinities with this form, 

 although the snout, as shown in his figures, is much more pointed. It is to be remembered also 

 that he found his species in a similar region and medium (sand and mud) at the ties Chausey. 

 The Linens albus in the British Museum is one of the Lineidce from Cornwall. 



The shape of the head of this animal, the absence of eyes, its habit of residing amongst sand, 

 and other points, make it clear that there are grounds for specific distinction. 



Genus XL — Valencinia, Be Quatrefages. (Char, emend.) 



This genus was instituted by M. de Quatrefages for the typical and other forms of the 

 previous genus, but lapses in virtue of the priority of other names. Since the term was applied 

 to an allied form, it may not inappropriately be used for the description of the present 

 species. The genus Folia, perhaps, has prior claims, but it is already employed by the 

 entomologists. 



Generic character. — Structure of the proboscis as in Carinella. The nerves lie in the 

 longitudinal muscular coat. The snout is shaped as in Linens lacteus, and furnished with a row 

 of eyes on each side. The mouth forms a distinct fissure a considerable distance behind 

 the ganglia. 



Valencinia lineformis, n. s. 



Specific character. — Roseate in front, yellowish-white posteriorly. 



Habitat. — Amongst shell-gravel and the fine purplish ramose form of Corallina officinalis in 

 five fathoms, Bressay Sound, between the Point of Scotland and the Green Head. 



