OR, GLIMPSES BENEATH THE WATERS. 



But the handsomest of the Nudibranch or naked- 

 gilled tribe, as the term might be Englished, is the 

 EoUs corronata^ which forms certainly a splendid 

 ornament to the Aquarium. Its general colour is a 

 pellucid indistinct tone, of pinkish hue, the papillae 

 or branchiae are in clusters, and the central canal is 

 of a rich crimson. Different parts of the surface 

 reflect the brightest metallic colours, and the whole 

 creature has a very gem-like appearance. In cap- 

 tivity it is very active. Another species of JEolis 

 has the power of making a singular clicking noise, 

 like the Tritonia. 



The Aplysi(E^ or Sea-Hares, have been unenviably 

 celebrated among their congeners as containing a 

 virulent poison. The species common in the Medi- 

 terranean, A. Leporin(By furnished the venom with 

 which the infamous Locasta destroyed the enemies 

 of Nero ; and with which she eventually prepared, 

 at the tyrant's request, a draught for himself, but 

 which he had not the courage to swallow. The 

 British species, A. hyhrida^ might probably be kept 

 in confinement. 



Many of the Sea- Worms are very beautiful. The 

 Nereis bilineata is very brilliant, with its crimson 

 body brightly marked by two white longitudinal 

 ^tripes. 



91 



