CHAPTER X 



NEREIS AND ITS ALLIES 



NEREIS 1 is one of the commonest worms found on our 

 seacoast. It occurs in sandy or muddy beaches, at or 

 below low-water mark, especially where tidal currents flow 

 swiftly. It inhabits burrows, which it makes in the sand 

 and lines with a mucilaginous secretion to bind together 

 the walls of sand or mud. At certain seasons of the year, 

 during the breeding season, these worms may be found 

 swimming near the surface of the sea. 



Nereis lives on both plant and animal food. To capture 

 its prey it thrusts out a long proboscis, provided with two 

 powerful jaws. The thrusting out consists essentially of a 

 rolling inside out, just as the finger of a glove may be 

 rolled inside out. When the proboscis is rolled in again, 

 the jaws, retaining their grip on the food, carry it into the 

 food canal. While many kinds of small animals serve 

 Nereis as food, it is itself devoured by various fishes which 

 dig it out of the sand or capture it when it swims free at 

 night or during the breeding season. Such a favorite with 

 fishes naturally makes excellent bait, and is well known to 

 fishermen under the name "clam-worm" or "sand-worm." 



Nereis is distinguished by the fact that its segments are 

 numerous and nearly all alike, and bear appendages of 

 similar form. The single pair of jaws on the proboscis is 



, daughter of Nereus, one of the Nereids, or sea-nymphs. 

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