124 ANIMALS OF THE SEASHORE 



Arabella opalina Verrill (Opal Worm) 



PLATE XII. Pig. 4 



This a red-brown worm, a foot or so in length 

 with a brilliant opal-like iridescence, hence its 

 specific name ; tapers to the ends ; appendages short. 

 It burrows into the sandy mud near low water mark, 

 but does not build permanent tubes. When removed 

 from its burrow, the worm coils in a spiral manner. 

 Common in mud flats at Beach Haven, Sea Isle City, 

 Cape May, and elsewhere on the Jersey Coast; 

 known from the West Indies to Maine. 



Fig. 19 



Lumbrinereis tenuis Verril 



Lumbrinereis tenuis Verrill 



Fig. 19 



Very slender, about 12 inches in length; bright 

 red with a conical head without eyes or appendages. 

 Somewhat iridescent; resembles a slender red 

 thread. Often abundant in sandy mud from New 

 England to Virginia. 



