Curious Creatures 



215 



be termed either "tentacles" or "gills," as it is evident 

 these are used both for feeding and respiration. 



The blood worm makes its home in the mud where 

 it lies buried with nothing but its tentacles showing. 

 These ramify in all directions, suddenly shooting out 



POLYCIRRUS; THE BLOOD WORM. 



over and under the surface of the substratum, and 

 would be invisible but for the brilliant stream of blood 

 pulsating through them. Its faod consists of organisms 

 which are minute but not necessarily microscopic. 

 Sometimes a little Cyclops or a larva of some larger 

 crustacean will brush against the tenuous strands; in- 



