90 
The Hiftory ^ A N I M A L S. 
Triton corpore fubovato , tentaculis membrana ad bafm connexis. 
The Triton ., with a fubovate body, and with the tentacula conneEbed by a 
membrane at the bafe . 
f 
This is a very fingular animal: it is of about half the fize of the common Sepia, it’s 
body feldom exceeding three inches in length : it is of an oval figure, and fomewhat 
comprefled : it’s bafe is the larger part of the oval, from whence it gradually becomes 
fmaller to the head : the head is oblong and rounded, not compreffed 5 and there runs 
from it a thick and tough membrane, which conneds all the tentacula at their bales, 
in the manner of the web between the toes of the feet of our water fowl j two of the 
tentacula are fimple, oblong, and of a conic figure : the other twelve are cheliform at 
their extremities. 
I have been favoured with two fpecimens of it. from Italy 5 elfewhere I have not 
heard of it. 
Triton corpore graciliore. 
The Jlender-bodied Triton . 
X .-« ii •» X 
This does not exceed four inches in the length of the body, and is not more than 
two in diameter in the broadeft part: it is largeft toward the head, and obtufely point¬ 
ed at the other extremity : the head is fmall ; the tentacula all fhort and flender ; the 
two fimple ones are not more than an inch in length: the other twelve do not much 
exceed two inches, but they are beautifully cheliform at their extremities. 
This alfo is found on the coaft of Italy. 
Triton tentaculis lo?igiJJimis* 
The Triton , with very long tentacula . 
This is a fmaller fpecies than the laft; the body is oval, and obtufe at the extremity: 
the head large and inflated, and the roftrum beautifully fpiral: the two fimple tenta¬ 
cula are about an inch and a half in length; the twelve others are at leaf! four inches, 
and are cheliform at their extremities. 
This alfo is found on the fhores of Italy. 
A S T E R I A S. 
T H E form of the Afterias is that of a radiated far: the mouth is fituated in 
the center on the under part; and the anus in the center on the upper part: 
the tentacula are extreamly numerous, and in a manner cover, either the whole upper 
furface of the body, or the extremities of the ramifications. 
AJlerias radiis quinis latiufculis afpeins . 
The AJlerias , with jive , broad , rough rays . 
This is one of the moft frequent of the Afterias kind : it is ufually met with of about 
five inches in meafure, from the tip of one ray to that of the oppofite one : it’s body, 
as the central part is ufually called to diftinguifh it from the rays, is fmall and fome¬ 
what elevated on the upper part j the rays are of the thicknefs of a man’s finger at the 
bafe, and grow gradually fmaller to the extremity ; the whole is of a pale whitifh- 
colour, with an admixture of brown, and a faint caft of red : the whole upper fur- 
face, both of the central part, and of the rays, is covered with fhort tentacula. 
It is common about our own coafts, and has been defcribed by all that have 
written on thefe fubjedts, under the names of Stella marina vulgaris, and Stella 
marina Plinii. 
■ AJlerias 
2 
