244 THE SPEAE-HEADED 



The segments are bordered by oval, puckered leaf- 

 lets, tlie colour of which, being almost black, with an 

 edging of light yellow-green, gives the animal a most 

 beautiful appearance, somewhat resembling that of 

 a number of black velvet palls with their light 

 fringes. The central part of the back is of a steel- 

 blue, changing under the play of light to purple, with 

 a highly metallic reflection. The under surface is of 

 an opalescent grey.* 



The beauty in a great measure disappears on im- 

 mersion in a preservative fluid. On the first touch of 

 the solution I employ, Acetate of Alumina, a fluid 

 was poured out copiously from all parts of the animal, 

 which diflused itself, first as a lively green tint, then 

 becoming yellow, which in about an hour became a 

 warm orange-brown, quite transparent, and without 

 precipitation. 



The various kinds of spears which are grouped 

 into pencils, and placed along the sides of most of the 

 animals of this Class, are among the most exquisite 

 productions with which the naturalist is conversant, 

 and show forth, in a more than ordinary degree, the ' 

 delicate and inimitable skill of the Divine handiwork. 

 In this animal they are less complicate than in some 

 of which I have had occasion to speak ; still, under 

 a high microscopic power, they are well worthy of 

 admiration. In order to understand their arrange- 

 ment, let me say, that each segment of the body is 



* From one or two specimens tliat have since fallen under my 

 notice, I have reason to conclude that this species is identical with 

 .Phyllodoce Paretti, of which a fine figure is given in the commemo- 

 rative edition of Cuvier's "Eegne Animal" {Second Edition.) 



