Fam. 3, Plate 17.
JFiys. 2, 3, 4.
EOLIS ELEGANS, Alder and Hancock.
E. gracilis, subpellucida, albida, brancbiis linearibus roseis, supra et infra nigro-purpureo marginatis,
apicibus albis; fasciculis 7, dense degestis; tentaculis dorsalibus breviusculis, corrugatis, luteisj
tentaculis labialibus longis ; angulis anterioribus pedis productis.
Eolis elegans, Aid. and Hanc., in Ann. Nat. Hist., v. 16, p. 316.
Hab. Dredged in deepisb water, Torbay, J. A.
Body about half an inch long, slender, sub-pellucid, yellowish white. Dorsal tentacles of
moderate length, stoutish, erect, tapering at the top, and wrinkled transversely, of a pale fawn
colour or buff, with a streak of white in front near the apex. Oral tentacles long, being
nearly twice the length of the dorsal pair, tapering, and sloping at the base into the line of
the head, which is rather narrow. An opaque white line extends down each, and is continued
across the front of the head. Branchiae numerous, nearly linear, set in about seven dense
clusters down the sides, leaving only a small space between on the back. The first cluster is
large, containing about thirty papillae, which approach very near to the dorsal tentacles,
extending a little beyond them at the sides; the remaining clusters diminish gradually in the
number of papillae, the posterior one approaching very near to the tail. The papillae on the
back are longish, those next the foot very small; they are of a bright rosy flesh-colour,
terminating above and below in a patch of deep purple-brown approaching to black; the
apices are ringed with opaque white. Foot transparent, margined with a line of opaque
white, and produced laterally in front into longish angles, which are usually curved backwards.
Of this charming Eolis only one example has occurred to us, which was dredged in about
fifteen fathoms off Berry Head in Torbay. The contrast of the dark spot terminating the
rose-coloured branchiae, with the white ring immediately above it, gives this little creature a
very elegant appearance. Unfortunately our captive did not live long. When in a sickly
state, it appeared to throw off its papillae by a voluntary effort. Before casting each, it
withdrew the central vessel with its black tip half way down the sheath, leaving the upper
part quite transparent and colourless ; it was then detached, and moved about in the water,
twisting and contracting itself like a worm for a few minutes, after which it became quiescent,
and generally burst, discharging the interior in a mass of bright red globules. This motion
was evidently muscular, differing in this respect from the usual progress of these organs
through the water, when detached, by means of vibrating cilia. Some of the papillae burst
without being detached.