WINGED MARINE WORM.

TH

HE fingular animal to which is now given the above appellation, is probably a species of the Laplyfia of Linnæus, and the Depilatory of Mr. Pennant, for three of the characters are applicable:

The body covered with membranes reflected;

A fhield-like membrane on the back;

Having four feelers resembling ears.

But it is far from " an animal of a simple form," for when unfolded and in its active ftate it displays fuch an astonishing apparatus of life, as cannot be beheld without admiration. Indeed the whole economy of nature in the fubmarine regions opens a boundless scene of wonders that remain to be explored, and exhibits in most striking lights the profound intelligence of the patronizing care which has given them such astonishing faculties for their preservation.

The fpecimen now prefented, merits that attention to which a faithful and elaborate drawing from original nature lays claim. In the prefent, as indeed in every other instance in the departments of Natural History, the subject was preferved for many days alive, and in the most perfect state attainable, so as to give ample scope for obfervation.

It moves flowly along the rocks, by means of the mufcular tegument aa, and by its foft and pliant nature can fo completely exclude the air from under it, that when alarmed it adheres fo firmly, that no violence, not deftructive of the animal, can remove it. At fuch times it contracts itself amazingly, and is in a manner gathered under its shield. The filament or membrane, whofe edge is seen. ftretching from h to H, includes a shell, in substance like those of the finer muscles, but richly variegated and delicately coloured with a kind of chequerwork, I this, when drawn over it, forms a useful buckler, to defend it from external injuries; but seems more particularly the appointment of Nature, for the protection of a most complex and delicate organ, which feems effentially connected. with its life and nourishment.

Br. Zool. p. 35 of vol. iv. plate xxi. fig. 21.

A branched

A branched cluster of femi-transparent filaments arises from the back of the animal, bearing all around a fet of polype-like heads, which are represented at eee of E, as feen by the affiftance of good glaffes, for the animal itself on the plate is the fize of life. This appears to be a system of fuckers, by which it inhales nourishment; for when little bits of fifh, &c. were made to float near them, they laid hold of them, and feemed to extract their juices with great energy, for it was difficult to difengage the attracted morfel, without injuring the organ which

had laid hold on it.

This arrangement of polypes communicate with the body of the animal by two tubular stems, as at G, G.

The external folding membranes F, F, which spread like wings, act the part of tentacula, by bringing fubftances that fall within their reach down to thefe fuckers; for when the wings were waving in the water, if any atom of fishy substance was put in their way, they immediately folded down with it, and fhut it in, fo as that the polype fyftem might have it wholly in their power.

Between the two front feelers of the head, like horns B, B, and the two hind ones, like ears c c, are its finall and clear eyes, which it often fhuts, and renders almost indifcernable.

The under part of the head, with the appearance of its mouth, is represented at D.

The organ which spreads from between the wings, and has been now particularly inveftigated, having, to the best of the author's knowledge, hitherto escaped the obfervation of naturalifts, was therefore examined with deliberate care and fcrupulous attention, during repeated efforts to afcertain the truth, while completing the drawing. The animal itfelf, though when taken from its native element it loft many of its moft expreffive and diftinguishing characters, is preserved in fpirits, as containing a memorial of these facts, of which it is impossible to give other ocular demonftration to thofe who live at a distance from the fea-fhore.

KIN LOSS ABBEY.

TH

HIS abbey was pleasantly fituated, in a rich fpot, at the head of the bay of Findhorn, which is a small fea-port town of Murray, lying opposite to Forres, where stands the superb Obelisk, described in this and the preceding Number. The bay is commodious for fmall trading veffels, which is of much confequence to the adjacent country. The river Erne here empties itself into the firth; its banks are some of the fineft lands of this fertile province: and very confiderable portions of them were dedicated to fupport the ecclefiaftical establishments of the abbey. It was founded by David I. in 1150, who endowed it with certain lands, forming boundaries within which the abbot held a regality. The abbot was mitred, and had a feat in parliament; to maintain this rank, with fuitable dignity, king William appropriated several additional farms, to be cultivated for the benefit of the abbey, and under the inspection and care of ecclefiaftics. Afcelinus was the name of its first abbot, who came to the poffeffion of it in the middle of the twelfth century, with a body of monks from Melrofs.

The revenues of the abbey, in 1561, amounted to . 1,152, and near fixty chalders of victual, befides tythes of fheep, geefe, capons, and poultry.

It had been otherwise sumptuously endowed; for, among many expenfive pieces of plate, and sacred furniture, belonging to it, a filver laver is mentioned, which weighed two hundred and forty ounces.

When goverment permitted thefe religious establishments to be diffolved, the lands had still their representative in parliament; this gave rife to fome temporary and nominal fuperiorities, which conveyed a title to fit in the great council of the nation. When, at the reformation, the office of abbot was here difannulled, the honour of his feat in parliament was granted to Edward Bruce, to which he was promoted by the title of Lord Kinlofs, without being put in poffeffion of the abbey lands Sometimes, however, the temporalities were alfo granted to noblemen who merited, or laid claim to, fuch indulgence from the crown. Thus the emoluments of the lands which had fupported the Catholic eftablishments for feveral centuries. in Scotland, became sequestrated again to secular purposes, and reverted into their former channels.