64 VERMES. 
A groove in the margin of the anterior forms it into two lips of about 
equal thickness, and descends some way down each side of the head, which 
is a distinctive feature—Plate VIII. fig. 2. The mouth, a longitudinal 
slit, extending four lines, is in the under surface, at a short distance from 
the anterior margin, but seldom perceptible, and varies in length with 
the extension and contraction of the body. No other external organiza- 
tion is sensible, for although ocular specks, if such is their character, be 
recognisable in the young specimens, as afterwards explained, they are 
obscured by the subsequent alteration of the adult. 
As the body of the adult, at some distance above the lower extre- 
mity, begins to taper downwards, it probably terminates in a point. 
The whole body is of a fine uniform dark purple colour, sometimes 
verging on black, presenting a beautiful velvet-looking surface. The 
anterior margin is pure white. 
A great proportion of the length is traversed by a vivid red intes- 
tine, diminishing near the lower extremity to the diameter of a hair. 
When this organ was extracted from a specimen ten feet long, it extend- 
ed between five and six feet.—Plate IX. fig. 1. But it is difficult to 
say what it may be when distended with food, its office being perhaps 
alimentary. 
This animal is subject, as the former, to separate into fragments, 
while these are sometimes divested of the whole intestine. Thence we 
may presume, that the extremities of this organ are attached to places 
which have little resistance. Vitality is preserved by it for a consider- 
able time after separation from the other parts of the animal. 
I was a long time perplexed regarding the food of the Gordius 
maximus. A creature so unwieldy and unmanageable in itself, appeared 
to be very ill adapted for overcoming any resisting prey. In the natural 
state, it certainly enters the tube of the Amphitrite to devour the tenant. 
And in one instance, it seized and devoured a Jerebella before me, which 
had lost its protective dwelling, and this, too, in spite of the size and ap- 
parently superior strength of the prey. It feeds on mussel also. 
The Gordius wraps itself up in an intricate knot ; whence the deri- 
vation of its race. Perhaps the prey entangled amidst the folds falls an 
