Fam. 1, Plate 9. 



Figs. 10 to 16. 

 DORIS PROXIMA, Alder and Hancock. 



D. elliptica, flava; pallio tuberculis validis, ellipticis; brancliiis 11 pinnatis, non-retractilibus, anum 

 haud propinque cingentibus; capite velato. 



Hab. Among rocks and sea-weeds between tide-marks, Birkenhead, J. Price, Esq. 



Body half an inch in length, elliptic-oblong, not much depressed, of a deep yellow or 

 orange colour, varying in some specimens to pale yellow or white. Cloak covered with stout, sub- 

 clavate, or elliptical bluntly-pointed tubercles, set at a little distance apart, and mixed with 

 smaller ones. The spicula appear through the skin, radiating from the tubercles. Dorsal tentacles 

 linear, slightly enlarged above, and obtusely pointed, with about fifteen laminae reaching 

 nearly to the base of the tentacle. They are usually of an orange- colour, deeper in shade 

 than the cloak. The margins of the cavities are smooth. Branchial plumes eleven, the two 

 posterior ones on each side small, yellowish, simply pinnate ; the pinnae are about six in 

 number, of irregular length, and the plumes abruptly pointed : they are set in a small circle 

 scarcely so close to the anus as in the preceding species. Head with a broad veil, having- a 

 large opening for the protrusion of the mouth. Foot rather broad, a little truncated in front, 

 and rounded behind ; orange-yellow, the liver appearing through the centre of a purplish 

 colour, and extending much forward. Anterior margin with a frontal lamina. 



The spicula are of various sizes, fusiform, with blunt points, and more or less bent, with 

 a short spur or tubercle at the bending, which is usually nearer one end. So far as we have 

 seen, none of the spicula are crucial or triradiate. 



This at first sight appears to be a critical species, approaching as it does in external 

 characters very closely to D. aspera, with which we were at one time inclined to unite it, but 

 a minute analysis brings out several points of difference which we think would alone justify us 

 in considering it distinct; but the number and character of the lingual spines* at once 

 establish its right to rank as a species ; indeed the tongue differs so widely from that of D. 

 aspera and its allies, that some naturalists might be disposed to consider them generically 

 distinct. The best external character is the form of the tubercles, which in this - species are 

 elliptical or fusiform and obtusely pointed at the top, and not flatly rounded as in D. aspera ; 

 the tentacles, too, have more numerous laminae and are thicker towards the top, and the liver, 



* See PI. 46. 



