CORAL PARASITES. 
55 
ing all attempts at dislodgement ; till suddenly, on 
a moment’s respite, the creature would rear up its 
leprous form, like Satan before Ithuriel, and try to 
scud away. A species of Aphrodite was numerous, 
which on being handled thrust out bundles of white 
silky bristles that adhered to the fingers ; their points 
had been visible before, just projecting from the 
sides. Star-fishes {OphiuriB)^ of two or three species, 
entwined their snake-like tails in the crevices, and 
were difficult to get out ; and when out, usually 
broke into fragments. One specimen dismembered 
itself the moment it left the water, before it had been 
touched. 
A very singular creature was found on one piece of 
coral, which seems to approach the Holothurioe. The 
body consists of a slender membranous bag of great 
length, of soft semi-transparent skin, filled with sea- 
water while immersed, and therefore plump and 
round; but on being lifted out the w’ater escapes 
from some orifice, and the sac-like body becomes 
empty and flaccid. It is rather gaily coloured, being 
whitish on the under side, and yellow on the back, 
with broad transverse bands of dark brown. Around 
the mouth are set about fourteen broadly fringed 
tentacles, some of which in turn were continually 
bending inward towards the mouth. It was lively in 
its motions, twisting about in the water with con- 
siderable vivacity. 
Besides these, some of the masses sheltered tiny 
fishes, brilliantly coloured, of the genus Lahrus ; a 
species of Sea-slug {Aplysia), and many other curious 
things, including some Nereidous Annellida, Holo- 
