TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 19 



worms breathe through the sides of their bodies and 

 by means of their hairs ! " 



Le*on might have replied that in many creatures, 

 especially in worms and gasteropod mollusca, the 

 respiratory organs are placed in most peculiar posi- 

 tions in Tritonia, Glaucus, and ScyllaBa, on the sides, 

 in Aplysia on the back, and in Doris on the end oppo- 

 site to the head. He would probably have made 

 this learned dissertation, but was deterred by the 

 fear of some ironical or sarcastic reply from his 

 cousin. 



But the latter was at the moment occupied with an 

 interesting experiment. He had taken a worm from 

 the fisherman and had placed it on the damp sand. 

 The worm, extending its proboscis, rapidly buried 

 it in the sand, then, by contracting the proboscis at 

 the bottom of the hole, the rest of the body followed, 

 and in a few seconds the worm had entirely disap- 

 peared. 



" A pleasant journey to you ! " said Bene*. Then in 

 a lower voice and with a sententious air he added, 

 "And, really, it seems appropriate that an animal that 

 buries itself by means of its proboscis should breathe 

 through its sides." 



The rising tide was gradually covering the sands, 

 driving the fishers before it. From under every stone 

 little crabs made their appearance, directing their side- 

 long courses towards their special element. Bene\ 



