86 Description of New and Little known Species of 



Finding that scarcely anything is known of the many naked 

 Molluscs of this part of the Indian Ocean, I have availed 

 myself of the present favorable opportunity offered by the 

 Ceylon Government, for the investigation of the Natural 

 History of the Pearl Oysters, to extend my researches also 

 to a numerous family of Mollusca inhabiting these seas, which 

 though not productive of pearly gems, or affording specimens 

 for cabinet collections of Conchologists, or of amateur collec- 

 tors, have attracted considerable attention in Europe, more 

 especially since the publication of the splendid work of Alder 

 and Handcock on the British Nudibranchiata. 



The marine shells of Ceylon have long been known to the 

 Naturalist, and they are also familiar to many in Ceylon, 

 but the soft sea nymphs, or slugs, whose perishable charms 

 often rival the more lasting beauties of the finest shell, had 

 scarcely ever been noticed by any Naturalist or friend in the 

 Island, till I had placed these creatures in the Vivarium. 

 They have not only afforded amusement and instruction to 

 myself, but, I hope, to others also, who have frequently seen 

 these interesting creatures in their new homes. I must con- 

 fess that some of my visitors were disappointed at the slimy 

 nature of these animals, and failed to appreciate the beauty 

 of many of my pet specimens; others, however, more alive to 

 the beautiful, and to the wonderful works of God, did not 

 despise the sea-born slugs, because they were so snail-like in 

 appearance, and, like the land slugs, destitute of shells. Even 

 the native shell divers, who procured me most of the living 

 specimens, expressed their astonishment at the newly unfolded 

 beauties of these Atta,* or slugs, which they found crawling 

 on rocks and sea weeds ; but it was not till the full formed 

 Doris, or the sweet little Eolis, expanded their tentacles and 

 plumose gills in the glass Vivarium, that these "men who go 

 down to the deep " became aware, that the creatures which 



* Tamul for sea slugs. 



