116 



It occurred in the third and fourth subregions of the littoral 

 zone, living in holes in the hard sand, which it had excavated to 

 a length of two feet. These holes were exactly adapted in width 

 to the thickness of the animal, and were not furnished with a 

 lining of any kind. They extended obliquely downward, being at 

 first perpendicular, but curving so as to become almost horizon- 

 tal ; the lower extremity was about one foot below the surface. 

 The locality where they were found was not exposed to the 

 action of breakers, but was within the harbor, so that a slight 

 deposit of mud covered the sand in which they lived. All the 

 specimens were found in their holes, with the anterior extremity 

 downward, and when taken, were trying to escape by digging 

 still further into the sand, which is effected by continued rapid 

 evolutions of the proboscis. The specimens, when handled, gave 

 out a greenish coloring matter, which stains the skin in such a 

 manner that it cannot be removed for many days. 



During the latter part of March, we frequently observed in 

 and about the holes of these worms, great quantities of a soft, 

 transparent jelly, filled with minute brownish specks, which 

 proved to be eggs. 



AcoETEs LUPiNA, Stimpsou. 



The species of the genus Acoetes are remarkable for their great 

 size, and also for inhabiting tubes, contrary to the general habits 

 of the Aphroditacece ; — the members of this family, with the ex- 

 ception here noticed, being better fitted for a wandering life, than 

 Annelides of any other order, except the AmphinomiacecE. The 

 species here described is distinguished from its congeners, by the 

 smallness of its scales, and does not yield to them in point of 

 size, being often two feet and a half in length. It may be de- 

 scribed as follows : — 



Body vermiform, thick, flattened below, and somewhat convex 

 above. Head very small, with two large pedunculated eyes, and 

 five tentacles, three of which, above the eyes, are short, and two, 

 below the eyes, long and tapering. Proboscis surrounded, at its 

 extremity, with a margin of fleshy teeth, forming an upper and a 

 lower row, the middle process in each row being larger than the 

 others. Maxillee four in number, forming a superior and an in- 



