76 VERMES. 
I then endeavoured to free it from the mud, which seems its natural 
bed, when the proboscis protruded again, and was discharged along 
with the whole intestinal organ, also white, connected with it. 
The portion thus separating extended as a cylinder three inches long, 
especially towards the anterior, where the tubular part constituting the 
proboscis was evidently of stronger texture, and half a line in diameter. 
It displayed much action and contortion for a considerable time, not being 
quite inanimate during three days, as is seen of the intestinal organ of 
the Gordius maximus. 
The animal now retreated among a quantity of mud introduced 
into its vessel along with a shell for protection. It was crawling 
about four or five months afterwards, and in seven or eight had possibly 
repaired its loss, from appearing equally full and plump as originally. 
Indeed it had never been extenuated. 
Accidental exposure to the sun proved fatal to this specimen ulti- 
mately. The body ruptured into several portions, which could not be 
preserved. 
It survived nine months, exhibiting no other peculiarities, unless 
the formation of a very slight sheath of glutinous and earthy matter. 
A second specimen had been mutilated. 
Puate IX. 
Fic. 12. Gordius (minor ) albus. 
13. Head slightly enlarged, shewing the groove. 
D.—Gorpivs aquaticus—Lhe Hair Worm.—Plate IX. Fig. 14. 
All the preceding species of the Gordius dwell in the sea ; the sub- 
ject of the present paragraph is an inhabitant of the fresh-waters of 
Scotland. 
I am ignorant of its extreme dimensions, nor, owing to particular 
circumstances, have I been able to preserve the detail of the habits of 
the specimens falling into my possession. 
This animal extends seven or eight inches in length, by scarcely the 
