84 VEBMES. 



While a specimen forms itself into a knot, it will often remain in 

 that state for a considerable time ; nor does this species seek concealment 

 as much as the Gordius maximus. 



Two specimens, in separate vessels, spawned in April. The ova oc- 

 cupied a thin albumenous matter, which was in great profusion ; that from 

 one of them, almost entirely covering the bottom of a vessel two inches 

 in diameter ; that of the other less abundant. A vast number of white 

 ova escaped from a third specimen verging to decay, also in April. None 

 of all these proved prolific. Plate IX. fig. 16, mass of spawn, enlarged ; 

 fig. 17, group of ova, more enlarged. 



I have never possessed a specimen entire exceeding eighteen inches 

 in length. But one reached me in June from the Shetland seas, which, 

 judging from the portion preserved, must have been quite three feet long, 

 and a third of an inch broad. Very few specimens exceed seven or eight 

 inches. Most of the colour of the back of so large a specimen had been 

 effaced by abrasion ; the belly was pure white. 



Specimens have survived many months in confinement. 



PLATE IX. 



FIG. 15. Gordius fuscus, head. 



16. Ova amidst the albumenous matter, enlarged. 



17. Group of ova, more enlarged. 



PLATE XII. Gordius fuscus. 



b. I have never seen any variety or diversity of colour on the pre- 

 ceeding species. All the examples were marked with precisely the same 

 uniformity, unless, perhaps, in some slight lesser or greater intensity of 

 colour. 



There are other Vermes, which may be possibly of the same section 

 of the Gordius, whereof colour, though I admit it is too often a fallacious 

 guide, may be a true distinction, and which we are compelled to receive, 

 at least provisionally, from want of other features. 



Let it be observed, that many worms have no external prominences 

 rising above the smoothness of their skin, or depressions sinking into it. 



