348 FUNCTIONS AND INSTINCTS. 



Though it has scarcely a distinct head, its re- 

 semblance to the cylindrical myriapods 1 is 

 very striking. Other species of this Order re- 

 semble the Isopod Crustaceans, and some even 

 roll themselves up like one tribe of them. 2 



These animals have their haunts sometimes in 

 deep burrows and passages under the sea-weed 

 or in the sea-sand. They are so fierce in their 

 habits that some have been styled the tigers of 

 the worms. Some fishes in their turn make 

 them their prey. Many of them, as the sea- 

 mouse, 3 are remarkable for the brilliancy of their 

 metallic hues. Perhaps these dazzling splen- 

 dours, as in the case of some insects, 4 may be 

 of use to them in preventing the escape of their 

 prey. Their forms and instruments of locomo- 

 tion seem particularly adapted to the situation 

 and circumstances in which they are placed ; 

 their legs, which approach the jointed legs of 

 crustaceans and insects, fit them for moving 

 on the surface of the bed of the sea, their oars 

 for swimming in the water, and the long form of 

 many for threading the sinuous paths and 

 burrows in which they have their habitation and 

 place of refuge. So exactly are they fitted by 

 the skilful hand of the almighty and benevolent 

 Architect of all animal forms to live and move in 

 the place he has assigned to them. 



1 Julus. L. * Nereis Armadillo. 



3 Aphrodita aculeata. * Introd. to Ent. ii. 221. 



