162 



SPECIES OF SERPUL.E. 



breathing-holes distributed throughout its length, where, 

 indeed, they could scarcely be of any use ; but we find 

 them confined to the uppermost segments, or head, round 

 which they form a most elaborate and richly-tinted col- 

 lar of lace, which even Queen 

 Elizabeth herself might have 

 been proud to wear. 



Some of the commonest, 

 as well as most perfect, ex- 

 amples of the order Tubi- 

 cola, are the various kinds of 

 Serpula ; the smaller species 

 of which may be found on al- 

 most every sea-weed, at least 

 on all the more coarsely- 

 growing kinds, as well as on 

 every object which has lain 

 for any length of time in the 

 sea. Stones near low-water- 

 mark ; shells, whether dead 

 or living ; pieces of crockery- 

 ware, or even iron instru- 

 ments any substances, in 

 BERPULA. short, which lie quietly at 



the bottom of the sea, and 



afford a point of attachment, are seized on in time by one 

 Serpula or another as a foundation for his worm-like 

 house. The tube in which these worms encase themselves 

 is formed of regular shell, apparently secreted like the 

 shells of the Mollusca, by the outer covering or skin of 

 the animal. It rarely possesses any colour but white, and 



