iridescent angle-worm slowly and cautiously re- 

 veals itself, meanwhile probing the surrounding 

 medium at the large entrance to its retreat with 

 deliberate and graceful contortions. Its emergence, 

 however, is immediately followed by that of an- 

 other, identical in appearance and behavior. Hesi- 

 tatingly the twins insinuate the exposed portion of 

 their bodies around the crags and into the crevices 

 that mark the immediate vicinity as if making sure 

 that no enemy is at hand to attack them when once 

 they have withdrawn completely from their hid- 

 ing place. Then, with a suddenness that causes me 

 instinctively to recoil from the eyepieces, there 

 appears from within the cave the forefront of a 

 huge dragon-like beast, part and parcel of the 

 worm-shaped twins which I now perceive to be 

 only appendages. It is, in truth, a worm. But, if I 

 may so express myself, it more nearly resembles a 

 Chinese dragon than that monstrosity resembles 

 itself. Beside the long appendages just described, 

 which are tactile organs, or feelers, the head is 

 adorned with three other and shorter pairs, giving 

 the owner a visage uniquely grotesque. Neverthe- 

 less, this being, seemingly in compensation, is 

 endowed with a body whose elegance and splendor 



[i34] 



