420 COROPHIIDjE. 



sprinkled over the surface ; tliese upon examination are 

 found to possess a more or less stellate condition, which 

 gradually increases as the animal grows older, until it 

 ultimately spreads over the entire surface, which appears 

 of a uniform rich red colour. It was on this account no 

 doubt that Col. Montagu gave the animal its character- 

 istic specific name. 



This animal generally lives in a nest of its own con- 

 struction. Its common resting-place is at the roots of 

 Laminaria and other plants, or on the under sides of 

 stones, at the bottom of the sea in a few fathoms of 

 water, seeking some secure nook or quiet corner in which 

 to dwell in peace and safety. Some specimens which we 

 kept alive built for themselves nests against the surface 

 of the glass vessel in which they were confined. On the 

 side of the vessel grew young fronds of weed. Each 

 position which was selected by one of the animals for 

 its abode was swept clean for a distance round the nest 

 by the long antennae, proving distinctly that the animal 

 reaches out and collects material to assist in the con- 

 struction of its cell. Upon placing one of these newly- 

 constructed dwelling-places under the microscope we 

 found that the many bits of weed, chiefly green ulva, 

 were matted together by some exquisitely delicate 

 fibres. This fibrous material possessed the appearance 

 of having been spun or twisted, since frequently small 

 loops were formed by a fibre having been twisted upon 

 itself. 



We have not been able to discover whether this 

 thread-like web be excreted by the mouth, or whether 

 or not there be an especial organ for its production, but 

 we hope that it will not be long before some naturalist 

 will be able to throw some light upon this curious and 

 interesting subject. 



