Fam. 3, Plate 17. 



Figs. 2, 3, 4. 

 EOLIS ELEGANS, Alder and Hancock. 



E. gracilis, subpellucida, albida, branchiis linearibus roseis, supra et intra nigro-purpureo marginatis, 

 apicibus albis; fasciculis 7, dense degestis; tentaculis dorsalibus breviusculis, corrugatis, luteis; 

 tentaculis labialibus longis ; angulis anterioribus pedis productis. 



Eolis elegans, Aid. and Hanc., in Ann. Nat. Hist., v. 16, p. 316. 



Hab. Dredged in deepish water, Torbay, /. A. 



Body about half an inch long, slender, sub-pellucid, yellowish white. Dorsal tentacles of 

 moderate length, stoutish, erect, tapering at the top, and wrinkled transversely, of a pale fawn 

 colour or buff, with a streak of white in front near the apex. Oral tentacles long, being 

 nearly twice the length of the dorsal pair, tapering, and sloping at the base into the line of 

 the head, which is rather narrow. An opaque white line extends down each, and is continued 

 across the front of the head. BrancMa numerous, nearly linear, set in about seven dense 

 clusters down the sides, leaving only a small space between on the back. The first cluster is 

 large, containing about thirty papillae, which approach very near to the dorsal tentacles, 

 extending a little beyond them at the sides ; the remaining clusters diminish gradually in the 

 number of papillae, the posterior one approaching very near to the tail. The papillae on the 

 back are longish, those next the foot very small ; they are of a bright rosy flesh-colour, 

 terminating above and below in a patch of deep purple-brown approaching to black ; the 

 apices are ringed with opaque white. Foot transparent, margined with a line of opaque 

 white, and produced laterally in front into longish angles, which are usually curved backwards. 



Of this charming Eolis only one example has occurred to us, which was dredged in about 

 fifteen fathoms off Berry Head in Torbay. The contrast of the dark spot terminating the 

 rose-coloured branchiae, with the white ring immediately above it, gives this little creature a 

 very elegant appearance. Unfortunately our captive did not live long. When in a sickly 

 state, it appeared to throw off its papillae by a voluntary effort. Before casting each, it 

 withdrew the central vessel with its black tip half way down the sheath, leaving the upper 

 part quite transparent and colourless ; it was then detached, and moved about in the water, 

 twisting and contracting itself like a worm for a few minutes, after which it became quiescent, 

 and generally burst, discharging the interior in a mass of bright red globules. This motion 

 was evidently muscular, differing in this respect from the usual progress of these organs 

 through the water, when detached, by means of vibrating cilia. Some of the papillae burst 

 without being detached. 



