214 AMPHITRITE. 
tongue or scoop between them, forming altogether a remarkable appara- 
tus, fig. 4. 
The margin of the first segment enlarges as a frill, fig. 2 a. A super- 
ficial, longitudinal groove traverses the body throughout, and short pen- 
cils, with a smaller brush at the root, issue in a row from each side of 
the segments. 
But a minute detail of the external and internal organic structure 
would exercise the faculties of a skilful anatomist. Nor is it an easy 
task to explain the nature of parts imperfectly exposed, whose use may 
be equivocal during life, and which are utterly disfigured or obliterated 
by death. 
In this animal the branchiz most intimately resemble fleshy feathers. 
The feather consists of a rib, clothed on each side by numerous active 
cilia ; and on its back are several prominences, their number depending 
on its length. The branchiz or feathers, I say, are disposed as two fans, 
from the flattened, fleshy roots, of which both originate. A groove or 
channel is so adapted in this fleshy portion, as to receive any foreign 
matter falling on the rib, and passing downwards, whereby it is transmit- 
ted to the organ between the two trowels, fig. 4. 
In regard to this particular organ, which originates much higher 
than the trowels, inclining downwards, so as to share in their operations, 
it is somewhat of the nature of a long triangular tongue, very thick and 
broad at the root, but susceptible of dilatation as a scoop, or the sides 
fold together longitudinally. 
The observer may be very long disappointed of obtaining a view of 
these organs in the living subject. His search for them in others would 
be hopeless. 
The Amphitrite ventilabrum is decked with various colours, all of 
different shade and intensity, distributed in proportion ; according to the 
specimen, red, green, and purple predominate. The expanded funnel 
seems environed by so many vivid circles, from the bright spots with which 
the branchiz are studded. One side of the body is greenish ‘and brown, 
with a brighter ellipse on each segment. The opposite side is greenish- 
