ANNELIDS. 67 



which are still current. Thus, there is a species, called the 

 Hair-worm (Gordius aquaticus), which is abundant, during a 

 part of the summer, in rivulets in the North of Ireland and 

 elsewhere. Its length is about eight or ten inches, and the 

 common superstition about it is, that horse-hairs placed in 

 water become vivified, and are changed into these worms. 

 This notion, with the addition that the Hair- wonn was the young 

 state of the serpent, was prevalent in the days of Queen 

 Elizabeth, for we find it is thus recorded by Shakspeare, — 



-" Much is breeding, 



Which, like the courser's hair, bath yet but life, 

 And not a serpent's poison." 



The writings of the same poet furnish us with examples of 

 the comprehensive manner in which the word "worm" is 

 used, and of its application to objects different from those to 

 which it is restricted by the naturalist.* 



Among these humble animals are some which possess 

 luminous properties: one has been observed in Ireland on 

 some of the extensive tracts of bog; and to Mr. K. Ball we 

 are indebted for the foUovring notice of a similar power in one 

 of the marine species: — "The most beautiful instance I ever 

 saw, of luminous animals, occun-ed when I was passing at 

 night, between the Islands of AiTan, in the Bay of Galway. 

 My attention bemg attracted by spanglings of light on the 

 field of Zostera (grass-wrack) below, I let down my small 

 dredge. On its touching the bottom, a blaze of light flashed 

 from the Zostera, and as the boat was pulled along, the dredge 

 seemed as if filled with hquid molten silver. On drawing it 

 up, I found the light to proceed from numbers of a very small 

 species of AnneUd ; these little animals were bright red, and 

 so soft that they could not be taken out of the dredge. Any 

 attempt at preservation would have been vain. By day-light, 

 it is probable, their very existence would have been unnoticed, 

 80 little conspicuous were they. An idea of the size and 



• " The worms were hallo-wed tliat did breed the silk." — Othello. 

 ** A convocation of politic worms." — Hajilet. 

 "' Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus here, that kills and pains not?" 



Ajjtony and Cleofatba. 

 " Your worm is your only emperor for diet." — Hamlkt. 

 " There the grown serpent lies ; the worm that's fled 



Hath nature that in time will venom breed." — Macbetil 

 " Eyeless venoni'd worm." — Tlmo>" of Aihens. 



