82 JOURNAL B. A. S. (OBYLON.J [Vol. III. 



Their ten city of life, when kept in confinement, varies much in the 

 different species, but is greater than in many other marine animals. 



Though patient and long-suffering in the endurance of hunger, they 

 are very voracious. The greater number of them are carnivorous ; living 

 principally upon Zoophytes and Sponges. The Eolides do not scruple 

 occasionally to devour the weaker among their own brethren. — Abridged 

 from English Cyclopaedia. 



Hoping that the foregoing anatomical and physiological 

 account of the Nuclibranchiata, will draw more than ordinary 

 attention to this family of marine creatures (found on almost 

 every rock and sea weed), I shall proceed to give a descriptive 

 account of upwards of a hundred species of marine-animals, 

 including Sea-anemones and Planaria, found in the harbour, bays, 

 and coves of Trincomalie. I cannot but regret, that not having 

 with me Ruppel and Ehrenberg's work on species found in the 

 Red Sea, I am not able to speak positively of all those herein 

 described as being new to science. Some may, perhaps, have 

 already been described by earlier observers, which, if ascertained 

 to be the case, I shall only be too glad to take the earliest 

 opportunity of acknowledging. 



In concluding these prefatory remarks, I have to express my 

 personal obligations to those authorities who have retained my 

 military services in Ceylon, thereby enabling me to resume my 

 Zoological labours, which were precipitately and unexpectedly 

 shortened by my removal from, the Island. 



Trincomalie, 

 1st November, 1857. 



