76 VERMES. 



I then endeavoured to free it from the mud, which seems its natural 

 bed, when the proboscis protruded again, and was discharged along 

 with the whole intestinal organ, also white, connected with it. 



The portion thus separating extended as a cylinder three inches long, 

 especially towards the anterior, where the tubular part constituting the 

 proboscis was evidently of stronger texture, and half a line in diameter. 

 It displayed much action and contortion for a considerable time, not being 

 quite inanimate during three days, as is seen of the intestinal organ of 

 the Gordiiis maximus. 



The animal now retreated among a quantity of mud introduced 

 into its vessel along with a shell for protection. It was crawling 

 about four or five months afterwards, and in seven or eight had possibly 

 repaired its loss, from appearing equally full and plump as originally. 

 Indeed it had never been extenuated. 



Accidental exposure to the sun proved fatal to this specimen ulti- 

 mately. The body ruptured into several portions, which could not be 

 preserved. 



It survived nine months, exhibiting no other peculiarities, unless 

 the formation of a very slight sheath of glutinous and earthy matter. 



A second specimen had been mutilated. 



PLATE IX. 



FIG. 12. Gordius (minor) albus. 



13. Head slightly enlarged, shewing the groove. 



D. GORDITJS AQUATICUS The Hair Worm. Plate IX. Fig. 14. 



All the preceding species of the Gordius dwell in the sea ; the sub- 

 ject of the present paragraph is an inhabitant of the fresh-waters of 

 Scotland. 



I am ignorant of its extreme dimensions, nor, owing to particular 

 circumstances, have I been able to preserve the detail of the habits of 

 the specimens falling into my possession. 



This animal extends seven or eight inches in length, by scarcely the 



