64 VERMES. 



A groove in the margin of the anterior forms it into two lips of about 

 equal thickness, and descends some way down each side of the head, which 

 is a distinctive feature. Plate VIII. fig. 2. The mouth, a longitudinal 

 slit, extending four lines, is in the under surface, at a short distance from 

 the anterior margin, but seldom perceptible, and varies in length with 

 the extension and contraction of the body. No other external organiza- 

 tion is sensible, for although ocular specks, if such is their character, be 

 recognisable in the young specimens, as afterwards explained, they are 

 obscured by the subsequent alteration of the adult. 



As the body of the adult, at some distance above the lower extre- 

 mity, begins to taper downwards, it probably terminates in a point. 



The whole body is of a fine uniform dark purple colour, sometimes 

 verging on black, presenting a beautiful velvet-looking surface. The 

 anterior margin is pure white. 



A great proportion of the length is traversed by a vivid red intes- 

 tine, diminishing near the lower extremity to the diameter of a hair. 

 When this organ was extracted from a specimen ten feet long, it extend- 

 ed between five and six feet. Plate IX. fig. 1. But it is difficult to 

 say what it may be when distended with food, its office being perhaps 

 alimentary. 



This animal is subject, as the former, to separate into fragments, 

 while these are sometimes divested of the whole intestine. Thence we 

 may presume, that the extremities of this organ are attached to places 

 which have little resistance. Vitality is preserved by it for a consider- 

 able time after separation from the other parts of the animal. 



I^was a long time perplexed regarding the food of the Gordius 

 maximus. A creature so unwieldy and unmanageable in itself, appeared 

 to be very ill adapted for overcoming any resisting prey. In the natural 

 state, it certainly enters the tube of the Amphitritc to devour the tenant. 

 And in one instance, it seized and devoured a Tercbella before me, which 

 had lost its protective dwelling, and this, too, in spite of the size and ap- 

 parently superior strength of the prey. It feeds on mussel also. 



The Gordius wraps itself up in an intricate knot ; whence the deri- 

 vation of its race. Perhaps the prey entangled amidst the folds falls an 



