SEA WORMS. 287 



have been made a speciality at the Crystal Palace, 

 where the largest number of varieties may be seen 

 alive. Of all these marine worms, however, certainly 

 none is so attractive and so much sought after as the 

 " sea-mouse" (Aphrodita aculeata). Its metallic lustre 

 of green, blue, and yellow hairs, shining like those of 

 the peacock's tail, would make it attractive by what- 

 soever name it might be called. Few people can 



Fig. 219. 



Nereis. 



believe that this beautiful and not uncommon crea- 

 ture is a marine worm. Its back is covered with 

 plates, underneath which are the breathing organs 

 or gills. The plates are covered with the iridescent 

 bristles, which, although beautiful even when the 

 Aphrodita is cast up as a dead object at high 

 water, are exceedingly lovely when it is seen alive 



