VERMES. 53 



characters of discrimination ; the ductile, flexible, and variable body 

 precludes determination of its true extent and figure. Neither can it be 

 told whether the specimen is young or adult ; mutilated or entire. The 

 position of the mouth is frequently concealed during life from the most 

 acute observer ; and if there are ocular specks or eyes, they are hid in 

 the dingy hue of the skin. The food is for the most part unknown ; 

 and the mode of perpetuation is seldom within the hope of discovery. 



Worms are soft, smooth, naked, round or flattened animals, void of 

 external organs, of variable form and dimensions, with a sliding, sinuous, 

 or serpentine motion, and dwelling chiefly in animated bodies, or in the 

 waters. 



In a general sense, worms are smooth, and void of external organs, 

 nor, strictly speaking, is the body distinguished by conspicuous seg- 

 ments. 



But in a special sense, worms are animals with smooth bodies, of 

 variable form, extent, and dimensions. 



From the late institution of the various sections and genera, and 

 the subdivision of the great family of Worms, many considerable portions 

 are withdrawn from what was long understood to constitute the whole. 

 A new vocabulary, also, has been invented, which it will probably take 

 a long time to interpret and rectify. There seems -too great a propen- 

 sity for the adoption of whatever is offered as a novelty in phraseology, 

 whence it is embarrassing to declare that the subjects of our investiga- 

 tion are identified with those which are the study of our fellows. 



In the hope and expectation, therefore, of shunning both collision 

 and confusion, frequently concomitants of each other, and perhaps as 

 leading ultimately to simplification, I shall be content with specifying 

 general descriptions of some individual specimens which have occurred 

 to me. The true scientific arrangement of the subject will remain for 

 those better skilled than I am, and who contemplate a wider range. The 

 indulgent reader may still consider these efforts as contributing to the 

 promotion of knowledge. 



Great latitude must be permitted here, for if we consider worms as 

 divided into, 1. Those with smooth, simple, elongating bodies ; 2. Those 



