76 JOURNAL R. A. S. (CETLON.) [Vol. III. 



NEW AND LITTLE KNOWN SPECIES OF CEYLON 

 NUDIBRANCHIATE MOLLUSCS; AND 

 ZOOPHYTES. 



By E, F. Kelaart, M.D., Staff Surgeon, F. L. S. 



Having, in the course of my Military service, been now for 

 the third time stationed in Trincomalie, in Medical charge of 

 the European Troops in that Garrison, and still finding that 

 there is nothing like the careful study of God's works to divert 

 the mind from the contemplation of diseased organic bodies, 

 especially in this unhealthy and monotonous station, I have 

 again resumed the researches of my leisure hours, which never 

 fail to draw from me an earnest prayer that my health may be 

 spared long enough to conclude these labours in this and other 

 parts of the Island. 



A recent visit to England made me acquainted with the value 

 of the aquarium, and with the interesting researches of Messrs. 

 Alder and Handcock, of Gosse, Johnson, and others, among the 

 soft, gelatinous, marine animals found in European seas, which 

 have been so much neglected by Indian Naturalists, owing to 

 the difficulty either of observing their natural habits, or of 

 preserving their forms. The curiosity thus excited was imme- 

 diately increased, when, after several years absence, I was again 

 in sight of the magnificent harbour and bays of Trincomalie. 

 While some of my Ceylon friends contemplated my return to 

 Trincomalie as a great, evil, I became reconciled to my destina- 

 tion from an inw ard feeling— and I hope not an unworthy one — 

 that I was again sent here, for a good and useful purpose. 



It is now nearly two years since I returned to Ceylon, and I have 

 every reason to feel thankful, that my residence in Trincomalie 



