66 NOTES ON 
CHAPTER VIII. 
THE LURCO, OR GLUTTON—A DIAPHANOUS SPECIES OF NAIS. 
The transparency of this delicate subject, 
exhibiting all its internal conformation, added 
to its sloth and gluttonous propensities, are its 
pre-eminent features as a microscopic object ; 
while its perviosity to light enables us to per- 
ceive the action of every muscular fibre. The 
curious structure of its stomach, or rather series 
of stomachs, is particularly worthy of notice; 
their contraction and dilatation, with their prey 
moving alive within them, as seen under the 
microscope, give to this object that intense 
interest, and produce that high gratification, 
for which we might seek in vain without the 
aid of that instrument. 
The Lurco is generally found, during the 
spring and summer, among masses of partially- 
decomposed plants. I first met with it in a 
trench of clear rain-water, that had drained 
from a field of recently-mown grass. It was a 
hot day in June, and during sunshine. In 
