68 VBBMES. 



lusive ; nor should the observer hastily determine that what he beholds 

 is permanent. The upper portion of a specimen having been sundered 

 for preservation, it soon appeared like a black leech, in contracting to 

 fifteen lines in length, and enlarging to twice its natural breadth. No one 

 could have easily told what it was. 



The actual dimensions of the Sea Long Worm being doubtful, so is 

 it difficult to ascertain the number and position of the specks or eyes on 

 the head. A young specimen, one extending only an inch and a half, 

 had two distinct large round specks in front, as in the striped specimen 

 just described, and other three at intervals in a straight line behind each, 

 being eight in whole. These were very conspicuous, because there was 

 more white than usual in the front of the head. But in all animals of 

 the kind, others, though present, may be lost in the darker colour be- 

 hind. This last specimen resembled the former in the body, having been 

 striated longitudinally. 



Whether such specks, common to a multitude of the lower animals, 

 be only rudimentary ocular organs, or actually endowed with visual func- 

 tions, must remain a very obscure point in physiology. But the Gordius 

 is quite sensible of the presence of light ; nor does this seem confined to 

 the anterior extremity. Sometimes while the head is in concealment, the 

 body hangs down in folds, from a higher position, and then evident un- 

 easiness is testified on the approach of a candle, and an exertion to with- 

 draw from its influence. 



The natural dwelling of a creature so little adapted for long excur- 

 sions or predatory attacks, should be in the vicinity of those softer ani- 

 mals constituting its prey. Specimens coiled up within the double valves 

 of old oyster shells, are dredged from the bottom of the sea in various 

 parts of Scotland. I was indebted for the largest and finest ever in my 

 possession to Dr Duguid, who sent it from the Orkney Islands to Edin- 

 burgh. Others found among miscellaneous collections, may have for- 

 saken their retreat on disturbance. I once procured two specimens, each 

 some feet in length, by splitting off the slab of a soft shelving rock near 

 low water. Very small specimens thus coiled up, are sometimes seen 

 floating, which is owing less to specific levity, than to the repulsion of 



