248 



TJJE AMEBIC AN XArVRALlST [Vol. LV 



or spermatophcres. 



SUMMAEY 



1. Melibe leonina is a large carnivorous Nudibranch 

 reaching sometimes 14 centimeters in total length; it is 

 an actively predaceous animal; it practically gorges 

 itself, feeding mainly on small Crustacea ; it is gregarious. 



2. It seems to live more than one year; its recurrence 

 is spasmodic. 



3. It swims freely in the water, backward, upward or 

 dowaiward; it crawls on the surface by the surface ten- 

 sion, and on sea-weeds, by the help of its highly ciliated 

 foot. 



-t. Its defensive means are an offensive odor and death 

 feigning. 



5. It drops to deeper water by relaxation of its 

 muscles. 



6. It collects in groups among sea-weeds, w^here copu- 

 lation takes place. 



7. Mutual insemination does not seem to be simul- 

 taneous. 



8. It spawns as early as March and as late as July; 

 sexual maturity is reached ({uite early, as young ones 

 two centimeters long were found with ripe spermatozoa. 



9. Spermatozoa from another individual are stored in 

 the ovo-spermatotheca but wander up the uterus as far 

 as the prostate. 



10. P]ggs are also stored in the spermatotheca, hence 

 the name ovo-spermatotheca. 



