VERMES. 75 



conclude that they avoided it. There was some disparity of size among 

 those of a group viewed by the microscope, fig. 10. 



Subjected to higher magnifying powers, they were in general of a 

 fine regular, broad, oval form, apparently soft, with the oval slightly 

 variable in its proportions ; the body flattened, and begirt by a fringe of 

 cilia. Two black specks like eyes stood in front, on the margin, some- 

 what behind the anterior extremity, fig. 11. 



I could not discover any. black specks corresponding to what I con- 

 sidered such, in the parent animal, which seemed to be invited from its 

 retreats by the light. 



Prosecuting the history of the animalcula was impracticable, for 

 various reasons. I should have even hesitated to speak of incidents so 

 anomalous, but for the hopes of attracting the notice of practical natu- 

 ralists, who may wish to avail themselves of opportunities to illustrate 

 the species farther. 



This animal seems to contain a double ovarium, one portion towards 

 each side of the body, wherein the ova are disposed in clusters, unless 

 this be some part of its individual organization. But this is to be seen 

 only in the most transparent specimens. 



On July 7, animals were produced from spawn of June 30. 



C. GORDIUS ALBUS. Certain peculiarities lead me to assign this a 

 provisional place. I cannot affirm that all the specimens I have had 

 were entire, or that they had the whole features to be held characteristic 

 of the Gordius, though exhibiting some of them. 



Length three inches or more ; breadth under two lines ; body flat- 

 tened, almost linear ; both extremities somewhat acute ; colour palest 

 carnation, almost white, with a slight red speckling on the upper surface 

 of the head. The presence of eyes could not be detected by the micro- 

 scope. Plate IX. fig. 12, ; head, fig. 13. 



This animal feeds voraciously on mussel, projecting a pure white 

 proboscis from the under surface of the anterior, and absorbing large 

 portions. 



A specimen protruded the proboscis when touched with a feather. 



