EOLIS NANA, Alder and Hancock.
E. ovato-oblonga, luteo-alba; branchiis subclavatis, roseis, apicibus albisj in seriebus 8-10
approximates digestis : tentacnlis dorsalibus lsevibus : lateribus capitis dilatatis, rotundatis: angulis
anterioribns pedis obtusis.
Eolis nana, Aid. and Hanc., in Ann. Nat. Hist,.y. 9, p. 36.
Sab. Under stones between tide-marks. Whitley and Cullercoats, not common.
Body about four lines long, ovate oblong, flattish, tapering to an obtuse point behind;
of a pale buff colour on the back, the head and tentacles transparent white. Dorsal tentacles
moderately long, linear, smooth, tapering towards the extremities, and approximating below :
they are carried nearly erect. Oral tentacles a little shorter than the dorsal pair, nearly
linear, pointed. Head broad, rounded, and projecting at the sides considerably beyond the
insertion of the oral tentacles. Branchice subclavate; the central vessel rose-coloured, and
conspicuously sprinkled with dark granules ; the sheaths wide, with the opake part near the
apex of a faint white, and extending rather further down than in most of the other species.
The papillae are disposed in eight to ten close transverse rows of five or six each along the
sides, leaving a bare space on the back, reaching nearly to the tail. A. few papillae extend
along the sides of the head in advance of the dorsal tentacles. Foot transparent white, rather
short, and obtuse behind; the front rounded, and scarcely angulated at the sides.
This species is readily distinguished from most of those with red branchiae by having the
papillae in close continuous rows, and not arranged in tufts. It holds an intermediate station
between the divisions of the genus, agreeing with the first section- in its broad and
flattened form, as well as in the general arrangement of the papillae; its colour and the
armature of the tongue ally it to the second section; while the auditory capsule, containing
only a single otolithe, and the character of the spawn, seem to indicate its place in the third
section of the genus.
m An individual kept in a glass of sea-water showed great restlessness, frequently moving
with considerable speed in all directions. Its sensitiveness was equal to its activity; the least
agitation of the water causing it to contract its body backwards, and to draw its head and
tail together until the whole foot was detached from its hold, and it fell to the bottom of the
glass. This restlessness, common to a portion of the genus, renders the task of delineating
them rather a difficult one.
We have not yet met with this species beyond the Northumberland coast, and there it is by
no means common, and rather uncertain in its appearance. It is found further above low-
water mark than any other of the genus with which we are acquainted, and most frequently