120 BY THE DEEP SEA. 



with three pairs of jaws, and possessing a diameter which 

 equals that of the body within which it is enclosed, as in 

 a living sheath. 



" Well ; is it not wonderful ? Is there any animal that can 

 surpass it in decoration ? The corselet of the brightest beetle, 

 the sparkling throat of the humming-bird, would all look pale 

 when compared with the play of light over the rings of its 

 body, glowing in its golden threads, and sparkling over its 

 amber and coral fringes. 



" Now let us take a lens of higher power, and move the 

 lamp in such a manner as to let its rays fall on the reflector of 

 our microscope, and examine a few of the hairs taken from 

 the sides of the Annelid we have been describing. To the 

 outer edge of every foot are appended two bundles of hairs 

 (setce) ; these are far stiffer than ordinary hairs, and appear to 

 be placed on either side of the animal to defend it from its 

 enemies. A moment's consideration will suffice to confirm 

 this view, for there is perhaps scarcely a weapon invented by 

 the murderous genius of man, whose counterpart could not be 

 found amongst this class of animals. Here are curved blades, 

 whose edges present a prolonged cutting surface, sometimes 

 on the concave edge, as in the yatagan of the Arab, sometimes 

 on the convex border, as in the oriental scimitar. Next we 

 meet with weapons which remind us of the broad-sword of the 

 cuirassier, the sabre, and the bayonet ; here are harpoons, 

 fish-hooks, and cutting blades of every form, loosely attached 

 to a sharp handle : these moveable pieces are intended to 

 remain in the body of the enemy, while the handle which 

 supported them becomes a long spike, as sharp as it was 

 before. Here we have straight or curved poniards, cutting- 

 bills, arrows with the barbs turned backwards, but carefully 

 provided with a sheath to protect the fine indentations from 

 being blunted by friction, or broken by any unforeseen acci- 

 dent. Finally, if the enemy should disregard his first wounds, 

 there darts from every foot a shorter but stronger spear, which 



