Fam. 3, Plate 29.
Figs. 1 to 4.
EOLIS VITTATA, Alder and Hancock.
E. gracilis, fulva, maculis ferruginosis j branchiis elongatis, sub-clavatis, pallide fulvis vel cameis,
cingulis 3 fuscis obscuris, apicibus flavidis, in seriebus 6-7 digestis; tentaculis fulvo-annulatis, apicibus
albidis; angulis anterioribus pedis obtusis.
Eolis vittata, Aid. and Hanc., in Ann. Nat. Hist., v. 9, p. 35.
For. and Hanl., Brit. Moll., v. 3, p. 601.
Hab. On zoophytes from deep water, Cullercoats; rare.
Body nearly four tenths of an inch long, slender, buff or fawn-coloured, with darker spots
and markings of the latter colour, especially on the head, and along the sides of the body at
the bases of the branchiae, where they form two broad interrupted lines. Dorsal tentacles rather
long, linear, slightly wrinkled; fawn-coloured, with pale tips, and having a dull orange-coloured
ring two thirds up; held nearly in an erect position. The eyes are placed at the base of these
tentacles, but in front of them, and not behind, as usual. Oral tentacles shorter than the dorsal
pair, coloured and banded in like manner, and inserted into the upper surface of the lip.
Head rather large, and truncated in front. JBranchice stout, long, and nearly linear, swelling a
little towards the apex, which is obtuse: they stand very erect on the sides of the back, and
radiate in the manner of the rays of a fan. They have the central gland of a rosy flesh-colour,
'delicately freckled and granulated with darker rose-colour. Each papilla has three brown
bands, more or less distinct; that at the top being usually strongest, and forming a ring round
the apex, which is pale yellow. The papillae are arranged in eight or nine transverse rows,
set considerably apart; there are from three to seven papillae in each row. Foot transparent
white; the angles obtuse and not much produced.
This beautiful animal has a considerable resemblance to F. cinyulata, but the linear and
subclavate branchiae are sufficient to distinguish it. These never assume the ovate form of
that species, even when contracted; their colour is also different. It may be remarked, too,
that F. vittata carries the dorsal tentacles more erect than F. cinyulata.
We have found three individuals of this species at different times on corallines brought in
on the lines of the Cullercoats fishermen. They were all more or less injured, a circumstance
unfortunately npt uncommon, when these delicate and fragile creatures are obtained by that