148 TESTACELLID^. 



little of tlie cocoon of the Puss-moth. Within this co- 

 coon the Testacella lies encysted until moisture, working 

 its way through the walls of its dwelling, rouses it again 

 into activity and sends it forth in quest of food. While 

 in the encysted state, a thin white membrane (a deve- 

 lopment of the mantle) is extended from beneath the 

 shell and stretched over the back and sides of the ani- 

 mal. An admirably-designed protective shield is thus 

 formed, which checks evaporation from the surface of 

 the body, and enables the flow of mucus, which is so 

 essential to the life of the animal, still to course along 

 the lateral canals and thence be distributed through the 

 branching channels over the entire surface of the body. 

 When T. Maugei is removed from its cyst and the body 

 moistened with water, the extended membrane is gradu- 

 ally retracted until it is entirely withdrawn beneath the 

 shell. Mr. Norman also remarks that the habits of this 

 species resemble in many respects those of the earth- 

 worm, which (like the Testacella) may in times of drought 

 be found coiled up in as compact a mass as possible 

 within a chamber of the baked soil. The T. Maugei 

 has also the power of greatly elongating and extending 

 the body, which very much facilitates its passage through 

 the earth. The Testacella and its prey are both noc- 

 turnal animals; and those who wish to procure speci- 

 mens should look for them at daybreak, especially after 

 a warm dewy night in the months of July and August. 

 Mr. Norman has had as many as five dozen living 

 T. Maugei sent to him from Clifton, which were taken 

 in this way. The eggs of this species are large, oval, 

 opaque, and covered with a cream-coloured tough skin. 

 The shell is developed upon the young, while still in the 

 embryo state. 



