IV - On the morphology of the alimentary canal, process of feeding, and physiology of digestion of the nudibranch mollusc Forunna Tomentosa (Cuvier)

Jorunna tomentosa is a nudibranch which feeds on a diet of sponges. It was thought that an investigation of the anatomy and physiological processes of the gut of such an animal might yield interesting results, by comparison with those gained by investigators of less specialized molluscs. The following account aims at providing a detailed description of the anatomy and histology of the gut, of the mechanism of feeding, and physiology of digestion of Jorunna tomentosa which are compared, so far as possible, with similar structures and processes in other molluscs and phyla. It is with great pleasure that I acknowledge the invaluable help of Professor H. Graham Cannon, F.R.S. I also wish to thank Dr. C. F. A. Pantin for much valuable help and advice. My thanks are also due to Professor L. E. S. Eastham for his continued interest and advice, and to Professor E. A. Spaul for permission to use the Leeds University Laboratory at Robin Hood’s Bay, where a portion of the work was carried out.