THE MERMAID’S TEA SERVICE. oo 
are themselves gay with color; indeed, the sea 
folk in general delight in rich and delicate hues, 
if we may judge from their beautifully painted 
bodies and dwellings. 
The tubelike homes which these gay sea 
worms inhabit, are of their own construction 
from lime and cement which their bodies se- 
crete, and each is furnished with a curious 
door which the owner of the fortress is able to 
close upon the slightest alarm with lhghtning 
rapidity. 
The different varieties of Serpula are inter- 
esting and attractive embellishments to our 
aquariums, and the marvelous arrangement of 
delicate membranes and muscular fibers of 
these extremely sensitive organisms well repay 
our study. 
